this strategy with panama covers the period from 2001 to 2003. currently, panama's dual economy, its monetary system, recent political history, and lopsided accumulation of wealth pose singular economic and social development challenges. in line with the government's objectives, the bank's tentative strategy for support would target four priority spheres: (1) support for a frontal attack on poverty and for enhancing equity, starting with a social agenda dialogue to define priority programs and measures in the areas of health and nutrition, education, social protection, and the labor market, and a national dialogue on the rural economy and rural poverty, to begin mapping out a comprehensive agricultural modernization program that could tackle the most serious socioeconomic problems in rural areas; (2) promoting economic reforms to spur competitiveness and growth, starting with the design of a national competitiveness program that would include developing an industrial and export poli...