A famous British actor (Sean Connery), a former president and a former Miss Universe are among the list of clients of the Fuentes family, of David, Chiriquí, which nowadays is giving much to talk about in local artistic circles with their beautiful heron sculptures.

Using fiberglass, steel, marble and natural elements, this small family company, made up of a father and two sons, has been able to re-create herons of all shapes, colors and sizes, the largest of which is an eight-meter specimen that now adorns the La Barqueta beach resort, in Chiriquí. "It's the size of five or six people sitting on each others' shoulders", said Alan, the eldest of the Fuentes siblings.

Herons like these have been purchased by famous actors and presidents.

"We believe that herons send out an artistic and social message. For us, they represent the images and voices of women who fight for their rights around the world", he said.

The Fuentes will be happy to serve visitors both in Panama City and David. For more information, call: 522-9172.

Focus Publications (Int.), the parent company of The Visitor and the Focus on Panama tourist guide, was one of the Panamanian firms represented at EXPOTUR 2005 trade fair, held at Hotel La Herradura in Heredia, Costa Rica May 29-June 3.

Held in its 21st year, EXPOTUR is organized by Asociación Costarricense de Profesionales en Turismo (ACOPROT) and it is one of the largest annual tourist trade fairs in Central America. Approximately 200 wholesalers, event organizers and incentive-plan promoters attend the event each year.

According to estimates, EXPOTUR 2005 generated transactions worth US$100 million, traded in 6000 business appointments among representatives of 10 countries.

Panamanian delegates are seen here with copies of the Focus on Panama guide and The Visitor. From left to right, Neriyeth Pittí, Odalis Guerra (Turismo Aéreo), and Julia E. Franco, Manager of Vacaciones.

Panama's delegation was headed by Mr. Omar Ching, Marketing and International Sales officer of Panama's Government Tourist Board (IPAT) and included hotels, tour operators, travel agencies and airlines. The event served as an opportunity for Panamanian companies to market their new products and services. One of them, Empresas Bern, hosted a luncheon to introduce its newest project, Playa Bonita Resort & Spa, a beach facility located on Kobbe Beach, a 15-minute drive from Panama City.

Patricia Puentes, Marketing Specialist of Focus Publications, reported that the Panamanian delegation prompted a lot of interest among representatives of other participating countries, especially in regards to real estate (Panama has been attracting hundreds of foreign retirees and relocating families in recent years). Costa Rican travel agencies exhibited particular intrest in targeting the Panamanian province of Chiriquí, their neighbor to the south, which harbors numerous tourist attractions in its cool highlands as well as in its coastal regions.

Present gains and past glories in Latin America...

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean predicts that the region’s per capita Gross Domestic Product will repeat last year’s result and grow by 4 per cent in 2005. ECLAC reports that the region’s economy grew by 5.5 per cent in 2004, a figure which has surprised everyone and is the region’s best result since 1980. The current regional recovery has been largely due to GDP growth accompanied by a surplus in the balance of payments current account; at the same time there has been a rise in output, despite large capital outflows (almost $20 billion net).

In 2004, regional inflation stood at 7.3 per cent with combined exports of over $460 billion and imports of almost $399 billion. There seems to be less dependency on international capital markets and sovereign risk premiums have been lowered. The level of external debt last year fell from 42.8 percent of GDP in 2003 to 37.2 per cent.

Panama City seen from the bay. Panama's economy grew over 7% during the first quarter of 2005.

The demand, particularly in Latin America, for labor has seen a marked increase in job creation and not since 1997 has growth exceeded 3 per cent in all six of Latin America’s biggest economies. It was all quite different just two years ago when Brazil, the leading economy, was expected to follow in the financially faltering footsteps of Argentina. And Argentina has, of course, produced its own surprises since then with economic growth of 8.2 per cent last year. It is a country of contradictions. In 1913 its income per capita was on a par with both France and Germany and it was considered a developed country. It soon lost its status after that and many reasons have been given for the decline, but two stand out: a failure to both industrialize and diversify in the early 1900s and – the perennial thorn – politics. Today’s president, Néstor Kirchner, is seen by many as being the very essence of a Peronist, and they hope, therefore, that he can bring more disciplined governance to their big yet sparsely-populated (38 million) country which, in area, is the world’s eighth-largest.

This article was reproduced from Thales Securities's on-line newsletter. Thales Securities is a Panama City-based international brokerage firm.
www.thalessecurities.com
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May 7, 2005

Dear Sirs:
Greetings! I am a Spaniard who visited Panama ten years ago and loved it, especially Contadora Island and Isla del Rey. During the plane trip from Contadora back to Panama City, I was able to take a picture of a beautiful island I call "Isle of David" after my son, but I would like to know its real name, if anybody knows it.

I would also like to receive information on the Las Perlas islands, more specifically, about Contadora, including lodging facilities, pictures and any other interesting fact you consider worth while.

Thanks for your kindness and attention,

Francisco Javier Lázaro Martínez
C/ Rosa Chacel, 6, 7-D
50018-Zaragoza
España