Entrepreneurial societies in Panama: legal analysis and challenges for their effective implementation

Entrepreneurship in Panama has grown steadily in response to the economic crisis and post-pandemic unemployment, prompting the creation of legal mechanisms to facilitate its formalization. In this context, Law 186 of 2020 introduced the entrepreneurial company as an accessible and simplified legal structure, later strengthened by Law 451 of 2024. This analytical and documentary article is based on a normative and critical study of both laws and their practical implications for the Panamanian entrepreneurial ecosystem. The results of the analysis demonstrate that this legal structure offers key benefits such as temporary tax exemption, reduced bureaucracy, and the ability to operate without a resident agent or fiscal printer. Furthermore, innovative elements such as the Single Window for Entrepreneurship and municipal agreements are identified. However, limitations related to its dissemination, uneven applicability, and the need for technical support are noted. It is concluded that, although the entrepreneurial society constitutes an important regulatory advance, its success will depend on effective integration with complementary public policies aimed at inclusion, training and business sustainability.