Economy growing
According to the Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) published by the Comptroller’s Office, during the first five months of the year the Panamanian economy grew by 6.92% compared to the same period of 2005. This rhythm of growth is superior to that registered in the first quarter by the majority of the countries of Latin America and the European Union, and similar to some of the Asian "Tigers", such as Japan. The Colon Free Zone (ZLC), banking, tourism, telecommunications, agricultural exports and construction continue to be the most dynamic sectors.

More Park Rangers
The National Economic Councel (CENA) approved an additional credit of US$1.4-million to the National Environmental Authority (Anam) to hire 53 technicians who will evaluate environmental impact studies and 150 forest rangers for 28 national parks of the country. According to Roberto De la Cruz, head of the Anam Planning Office, there is now a park ranger for each 81 square kilometers and with the new rangers there will be one for each 50 square kilometers.

Tourism Up
Panama received more than half a million visitors in the first five months of 2006, when there was a 11.7 percent increase compared to 2005, reported the Panamanian Institute of Tourism (IPAT).

Bid for Refinery
For Panama to be chosen as the site of a Central American refinery, the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Alejandro Ferrer, carried out a presentation in Houston, Texas, to private investors on the strategic advantages of the country. This presentation was made at a meeting of the Program of Central American Energy Integration in which representatives of each of the governments of the countries interested in developing the project of a regional refinery participated with executives of the Inter-American Development Bank and more than twenty groups of financial institutions and private investors.

Banistmo Sold
An all-time record took place in the Panamanian stock market with the announcement that the English bank, HSBC will pay US$1,700-million for the purchase of the Banistmo Group, the number one bank in Panama and Central America. The agreement of purchase represent "the culmination of two and a half years of work to examine the region and to choose our associate", said Sandy Flockhart, general manager, executive president and general director of Financial Group HSBC in Mexico.

Banks continue to be interested in operating in our country, according to the Superintendent of Banks, Delia Cardenas, who indicated that two Swiss groups, one French and another Spanish are advancing planning to operate in Panama.

Dutch Airline Coming?
A Dutch airline is interested in carrying out feasibility studies in Panama to evaluate the tourist and cargo potential. Although no details are known, representatives of the airline have been in contact with Panamanian officials, according to a newspaper report.

Municipality relocation
The Cabinet authorized the Municipality of Panama City to negotiate a loan with the private banking sector to transfer its present outdated headquarters on Ave. B to the Hatillo Building between Ave. Justo Arosemena and Ave. Cuba.

Canal Enlargement
The referendum for Panamanians to decide whether or not to enlarge the Panama Canal will be held on October 22, it was announced by president Martin Torrijos. The president anticipates signing the project of enlargement approved last Friday by the National Assembly, he said in a communiqué.

According to the latest public opinion poll carried out between July 7 and 9 by the consulting firm of Ditcher & Neira Latin Research Network for La Prensa, 67.5% of the Panamanian youth is in favor of expanding the Panama Canal. The survey interviewed 4,000 youths between the ages of 14 and 25 throughout the country.

The cement, steel and heavy equipment companies in Panama say the are prepared for the demand of materials that will be required for the mega projects.

Colon Free Zone
The Colon Free Zone registered US$6,677.2 - million dollars in commercial transactions during the first quarter of the year. This figure represents an 18% increase over the same period of 2005. It was reported in a press release that imports reached US$3,170.3 - million, a growth of 15,3%, and that the re-exports totaled US$3,506,9 - million, a rise of 20.7%

In Colon there is a "boom" of investments in new commecial centers, Atlantic Plaza at the entrance of Folks River by the Wisa Group, and the Millenium Plaza with a hotel on the entry corridor to the city of Colon with the facility of a direct entry to the free zone.

The board of directors of the Colon Free Zone (ZLC) authorized the manager sell all the sites and properties of the institution, citing as a reason that it is not profitable for the institution or the government to maintain them.

After year of restrictions on products entering Colombia from the Colon Free Zone (ZLC), Panama decided to take Colombia before the World Trade Organization for discriminatory measures violating international agreements. The Minister of Commerce and Industries, Alexander Ferrer, explained that the case would indicate two specific violations: the restriction of ports for the merchandise that arrives from the ZLC, and the concept of minimum prices of reference used against Panama.

In Panama City a meeting was held between government authorities and businessmen of Colombia and Panama, looking for possible alternatives to the problem of the measures applied by Colombian Customs that damage the Colon Trade Zone (ZLC).

Exit the Barrenador Worm
President Martin Torrijos declared Panama free of the barrenador worm in cattle. The eradication of the illness after eight years of fighting had a cost of US$90-million with a contribution of 85% by the US, he explained. The announcement was made during the act of inauguration of the plant producing sterile flies of the barrenador worm that will provide a biological barrier to avoid possible reinfestations in Panama and other countries of the region.

Consumer protection
Complaints to the value of US$1,135,442.17 have been dealt with by the Authority of Protection of the Consumer and Defense of Competition since las May 2. The actions have been against businesses, real estate agencies, distributors, car rental companies, furniture factories, among others. These figures correspond to 109 claims.

Country Logo
The government will set in motion a process of international tender to choose a business to design and implement a country logo strategy to promote the name of Panama on a worldwide basis. This was announced by the Vice-minister of Foreign Trade, Carmen Gisela Vergara.

Bay Palace
The construction of the Bay Palace building at a cost of over US$200-million will generate nearly 1,000 direct jobs and between 10,000 and 12,000 indirect jobs, said Adolfo Olloqui, vice-president of the Latin American Business Corporation (CIN). It will be among the 10 highest buildings in the world. Construction should be completed in 36 months.

The forerunners of "Panama Now"

Mr. Matildo Escudero.

Seeking to promote Panama as a tourist destination as well as a haven for second-home buyers and retirees, is not such a new idea as you might think. The proof of this is to be found at Trastos –a handicraft and antique store located on the Pan-American Highway near Capira, whose proprietor, Matildo Escudero, owns one of the few remaining copies of "Panama in 1915".

Published by Juan Demóstenes Arosemena (who served as president of Panama in the 1920’s,) the book was a compendium of the history, culture and state of the nation just after the opening of the Panama Canal. Its purpose was also to promote what today is called "residential tourism" on the Isthmus, taking advantage of the large number of visitors who came to see the then-new "big ditch".

Both books were published in English and Spanish.

Published in English and Spanish, the book was profusely illustrated with maps, drawings and pictures which compared the realities of the country before its independence from Colombia in 1903 with the prosperity brought about by the opening of the waterway.

This deluxe edition also included a photographic section of the prominent figures of the day and their families, many of whom financed the printing with the purchase of adverts. "Panama in 1915" included listings of medical facilities, professionals, farmers, ranchers and businesspeople.

Mr. Escudero also has a copy of "Panama’s Blue Book", a "copy cat" of "Panama in 1915" which was published by a U.S. citizen the following year and features a number of historical facts not included in the first publication, as well as photos of Panamanian elite citizens and foreign residents.

Mr. Escudero’s books are not for sale due to their rarity, but he is willing to offer page copies at $2.00 each.

It is interesting to note that Focus Publications (Int.) S.A., the parent company of The Visitor, publishes a promotional, illustrated yearbook called "Panama Now", updated every few years. The current edition commemorates Panama's centennial, 1903-2003.

The Editor

Dear Sir:
Some months ago, my wife and I were in the city and picked up, as always, a copy of "El Visitante". Later, we went to Restaurante Fisch –unfortunately, no longer there—for a great dinner and we enjoyed ourselves with some live music. At home in the interior the next day, I opened El Visitante and read that Santana –one of our all-time favorites—had performed the previous night at Figali Convention Center.

If only we had read El Visitante when I first picked it up, we could have driven 10 minutes over to Figali and seen that great legend. I tried to console myself by saying that it was probably sold out only to hear from a friend that there were seats available.

Needless to say, I will always read through El Visitante as soon as I can get my hands on it!

Take care,

Carole Keene

Dear Sir:

Partial view of Lawrence Bachmann’s house prior to being refurbished.

I wanted to thank you for your article on Rediscovering the grandeur of Bella Vista. I accidentally came across this neighborhood on my second trip to Panama in 2005, and fell in love with the architecture and the homes. I am doing my best to make sure at least one of the beautiful old homes of Bella Vista does not disappear.

I purchased the house across the street from the Riba Smith supermarket at the beginning of this year, and have been in the agonizing process of restoring it since. It is the former home of Marita del Pool, a woman known for making the birthday and wedding cakes of many Panamanians, years ago. The house had been empty and in disrepair for years. While there were several other houses nearby that were for sale, and a number of high rise condominiums being built, the homes and neighborhood has retained its character.

I am proud to be able to help restore a piece of history, bring life back to an empty home, and I hope my work will help stimulate others to preserve the other beautiful homes in this neighborhood.

Thank you again!

Lawrence Bachmann
Calle 45, Casa 22

Text & Photos: Rubén Flores Ulloa

In your next trip to Penonomé we invite you to stop at "Artes de Coclé", a small, but interesting establishment where you can find high-quality paintings by its owner, Alirio Trujillo and other artists of the province of Coclé.

Trujillo, who holds a degree in Fine Arts from Panama City’s Escuela de Bellas Artes, seeks to promote tourism in his "neck of the woods" depicting quaint, rural landscapes and folklore motifs with vivid oil or acrylic colors.

The provincial capital of Penonomé is located 149 Km. West of Panama City, along the Pan-American Highway. "Artes de Coclé" is situated on Calle Damián Carles, close to the city’s main postal headquarters.

Call: 6515-9560.

Alirio Trujillo, working in his studio.