ICLA is pleased to welcome Gem, Torres & Asociados (GT&A) as its member firm in Panama – strengthening the Alliance’s presence in a jurisdiction that functions less like a dot on the map and more like a bridge, connecting oceans, routes, and commercial systems.
Founded in 2008, GT&A advises both domestic and international clients with a practice shaped by Panama’s regulatory and commercial realities, and the day-to-day demands of cross-border business.
A practical partner on the ground in Panama
For clients doing business in Panama (or using Panama as a base for regional operations), GT&A supports a broad range of needs that commonly sit at the centre of international projects – including corporate and mercantile matters, labour and immigration, real estate, intellectual property, and sector-facing regulatory work (notably energy and administrative procedures). Their positioning is particularly relevant for clients who want a firm that can help connect the “deal” to the local operating environment – approvals, registrations, contracts and risk management – without losing momentum.
Why Panama continues to matter for trade and investment
Panama’s story is inseparable from the Panama Canal – a trade shortcut linking the Atlantic and Pacific systems and anchoring an entire ecosystem around ports, logistics, maritime services, insurance, finance and supply-chain activity. The Canal’s significance is frequently framed in commercial terms (time and cost savings, supply-chain resilience), and it remains a strategic asset for major trading nations – with a large share of transits tied to US-bound or US-originating trade.
Just as importantly for many businesses, Panama is widely used as a platform jurisdiction because of structural features that support cross-border operations – including its territorial approach to income tax, under which foreign-source income is generally not subject to Panamanian income tax. (As with any jurisdiction, the detail matters – and the right advice at the outset can materially affect compliance and outcomes.)
A jurisdiction in the global spotlight
Panama’s role as a global chokepoint for trade also means it can attract geopolitical attention. Over the past months, that spotlight has been visible in reporting around Panama’s port concessions connected to Canal operations, including diplomatic pushback linked to Chinese interests and emphatic statements by Panama’s leadership about sovereignty and the rule of law.
For international businesses, the takeaway is not “headline risk”, but realism. When a jurisdiction sits at the centre of global trade flows, commercial decisions may sometimes be affected by regulatory scrutiny, public policy and international interest. That is exactly where strong local counsel makes the difference – helping clients structure projects appropriately, anticipate regulatory pinch points, and move with confidence.
Engage the ICLA Panama member firm
Whether you are establishing an operating presence, investing into Panama-linked infrastructure and logistics, structuring a holding arrangement, protecting IP, or managing workforce and immigration issues, Gem, Torres & Asociados offers local capability with an international mindset – backed by ICLA’s collaborative cross-border approach.
