En 2008 la economía panameña mantuvo el intenso ritmo de crecimiento del PIB real y se expandió 9,2%, a pesar de haber desacelerado frente al 11,5% de 2007. El sector público no financiero (SPNF) registró un ligero superávit equivalente a 0,4% del PIB, cifra inferior al 3,5% registrado en 2007. Este resultado obedece a la reducción en la recaudación de fondos y el aumento de gastos corrientes para mitigar los efectos del alza de precios de los alimentos y el petróleo en el primer semestre del año. Panama: Economic evolution during 2008 and perspectives for 2009 Abstract: In 2008, the Panamanian economy maintained a robust growth rate of real GDP, which increased to 9.2%, although it represented a slowdown from the rate of 11,5% observed in 2007. The non financial public sector (NFPS) registered a slight surplus, equalling 0.4% of GDP, which constitutes a lower rate than in 2007 (3.5%). This result was due to a reduction of tax revenue and an increase of current expenses to mitigate the effects of the rise of food and oil prices during the first quarter of the year.