The value of approved construction permits in the principal areas  of Panama fell to  $242.5 million in the first quarter of the year,  a fall of 25.5% over the $ 325 million  in the same period of the previous year.

The decline, however, is  more moderate than that registered the previous year, when in the first quarter the declared value fell by 39.9% when compared to 2017.

The report of the  Comptroller General includes residential and non-residential projects (hotels, offices, industrial) of the main districts of the country, except San Miguelito, and does not include public works.