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Isthmian Update |
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Some of the news in Panama |
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New Book |
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Panama: An architecture and landscape guide |
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Try to get your hands on a new book, "Panama: An Architecture and Landscape Guide". The book, by Eduardo Tejeira Davis, is in English and Spanish, containing over 400 pages and 900 images. It covers the architectural and engineering influences seen in Panama throughout the Spanish and North American colonization periods as well as Pre-Colombian and modern architecture. "I hope it will be easy for people to acquire the book" said Tejeira. "Around 1,700 copies will be delivered to IPAT (The Panamanian Tourism Bureau) in late December from Spain." The book was presented at the Canal Museum last month by IPAT and The Andalusia Board before government officials, diplomatic representatives, architects and historians. Tourism Minister Ruben Blades wrote the prologue. One part reads, "This book, more than an architectural summary, seems to me a diary, an urban spiritual inventory." The Andalusia Board sponsored the production of this book with the cooperation of IPAT. The Andalusia Board maintains a strong interest in Latin America because their government, in the Andalusian capital city of Sevilla, was the colonial administration center for Spain. Other similar guides have been produced by the Andalusia Board on cities such as La Havana, Mexico City, Lima, Morocco and many Spanish Andalusian cities. But Panama's is the only guide dedicated to the country as a whole including the landscape of the former U.S. occupied Canal Zone. |
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Major remodelling projects advance in the Old Quarter |
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Apart from the scores of residences currently being restored and re-modeled in Casco Antiguo, the Old Quarter of Panama City, several large scale restoration projects are also under way. The former Hotel Colon on 12th Street is undergoing an $18 million process. It will be renamed Hotel Casco Antiguo and will also be ready at the end of 2009. On 1st Street, The Molon Apart-Hotel is being renovated completely inside by an Italian group. Outer walls will remain the same, but the interior configuration and design will all be new. The waterfront units will cater to longer term visitors. To date over $200 million has been invested in the restoration and rehabilitation of Old Quarter buildings. Of the 940 properties in the area, only 10% are owned by the state, which is restoring its buildings to provide low-income housing for selected families who have lived in the area for generations. The rest of the properties are privately owned. In August 1997 the government began offering concessions to investors who wished to restore Casco Antiguo properties. The latest extension recently expired in August a further renewal is expected to take a few months to pass the the National Assembly. Previous incentives included a mortgage rate three points below market, tax exoneration on resale sale of the property or commercial profits produced by the properties and free importation of materials used in construction. |
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Day of mourning to mark U.S. invasion proposed |
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| Eighteen years after the U.S. invasion of Panama, that put an end to 21 years of military dictatorship, the National Assembly on December 20 approved in third debate the government bill that declares December 20 a day of "national mourning and reflection" and creates a "Truth Commission" that will investigate how many people died in the military intervention. The project, that needs the sanction of president Martin Torrijos, establishes the erection of a monument in the suburb of El Chorrillo in memory of the victims of the invasion, where the names of the dead will be shown. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama, expressed its oppsition to the bill through its president, Domingo Latorraca. Some commentators have pointed out that there was loss of life at the hands of the Panamanian military before the invasion, and although U.S. shelling totally destroyed the Panamanian military headquarters in El Chorrillo, a strategy used by Noriega’s "Dignity Batallions", was to burn buildings in the area and even shoot civilians who were fleeing the flames in order to accuse the U.S. of greater damage and slaughter. |
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Doctors win pay rise and other concessions |
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| Doctors who work for the public health care system accepted a 25% salary raise, finally ending the 39 day medical strike that was affecting the country. Now doctors are saying that the next step is to stop the government from privatizing the Social Security system (Caja del Seguro Social). They say that the government intends to create a Unified Health System (UHS) integrating the Social Security system with other public health facilities. Currently, 75 percent of Panamanians are enrolled under Social Security. The other 25 percent must use public hospitals and clinics such as the Santo Tomas hospital in Panama City which charges fees based on the patient’s ability to pay. Panama’s Social Security system was introduced in the early 1940’s by former President, Arnulfo Arias Madrid. It was created as an autonomous government institution under the Ministry of Health, funded by salary deductions. Benefits of the system, other than health care, include women’s maternity leave as well as retirements plans. Facing a $3 billion deficit, the system underwent reforms including raising the age of retirement and increasing contributions. Popular sectors and unions criticized the reforms alleging that the intention was to privatize the Social Security system, calling it Unified Health System (UHS). According to doctors, during the days of strike they were able to analyze the possibility that the institution be turned into a private entity, which according to them will not benefit the general population. Another concession which the doctors won through the strike was a promise of improvements of the infrastructures to give physicians control of the hospitals. Officials of the Social Security Fund (CSS) announced that for 2008 they plan to invest more than $35 million in new projects and improvements to the hospitals of the country, confirmed Elsie Saavedra, National Director of Infrastructures and Services of Support (DINISA). Many of the doctors employed by the Social Security system work part time and devote the rest of the day to their own private practices. Now that the strike is over, doctors will have to take care of five additional patients per day in an attempt to recover lost appointments. |
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SKAL congress here |
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SKAL International, an important tourism organization, announced that they will hold their 35th Latin American Congress this May 1 to 5 in Panama. The congress will unite 500 tourism industry professionals in the country to network. SKAL encourages sharing ideas, opportunities and industry matters on a personal and business level. SKAL International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals was founded in Paris in 1934. The organization currently has 22,000 members in 90 countries and has been established in Panama since 1955. This is an important step for Panama's tourism industry according to SKAL Panama's President Enrique Pesantez, who says that SKAL can put a destination on the map. |
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Panama welcomes North Europeans |
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Panama's tourism industry is turning its sights toward northern European travelers. The first round of Swedish travelers began arriving in groups of 40 this month aboard chartered flights direct from Stockholm. This is the result of the Panama Tourism Bureau's (IPAT) participation in a Swedish tourism expo called Gutenborgo 07. Swedes will continue arriving in Panama for seven-day tours throughout their country's long winter. More positive results of IPAT's exposure in similar markets are expected. IPAT invested $740,000 in 2007 to participate in tourism fairs in Holland, Germany, Norway and Finland, promoting Panama as a destination country. Much attention was given to KLM's new direct flight from Amsterdam to Panama, beginning in early 2008. Carl Frederik Nordstrom, Sub Manager of IPAT said, "The tourists of these countries are traditional users of an airline brand like KLM, and successful participation in this important flight will bring up the number of travelers from Europe." Nordstrom just came back from meetings in a series of Northern European cities. Working with Panamanian consulates, tour operators and travel agencies he wants solidify the sale of specific packages for the dry season. In one such meeting aboard a tourist boat anchored in Amsterdam, COPA Airlines officials met with Folke West Travel Club representatives. Folke West designs and sells tour packages that incorporate over 30 Panamanian hotels, restaurants and tourists attractions in Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro, Panama City and Farallon. The European press also played a large role promoting the country. Nordstrom was interviewed by the Swedish daily "Aftonbladet" about the diverse options in Panama, the real estate boom, retirement opportunities, tourism growth and investment opportunities. Other media interested in Panama were: Business Travel & Leisure, Tour Press Holland Infoweb, Tourism Marketing Concepts, Aqua Visuals and Flite Reps. IPAT plans to participate in 38 international tourism expositions in 2008. |
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Miami Herald launches Panama edition |
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Panama's number one daily newspaper, La Prensa, began printing an English section in early December. Every day in "The Miami Herald Panama Edition by La Prensa", readers can find local news stories in English in the back section of "The Miami Herald", on sale around Panama and available by subscription. According to La Prensa general manager Mr. Cesar Tribaldos Giraldez, his newspaper and The Miami Herald have a special relationship spanning nearly three decades. La Prensa printed their first newspaper in August of 1980 with the help of Miami Herald editor Carlos Castañedas. He came to Panama and assisted with the layout and production. La Prensa printed “The Miami Herald Latin America Edition”, distributed to all of Central America and the Caribbean, from 1980 to 1997. During the Noriega years, La Prensa was shut down three times for publishing material contrary to the dictatorship. While banks were frozen during the economic crisis provoked by unrest against Noriega's regime, The Miami Herald stepped in and sent paper to Panama for La Prensa to print on. Although they are not stockholders in La Prensa, they even sent cash to cover payroll during this period. After Noriega's thugs broke La Prensa's presses in 1988, the newspaper remained closed until the dictatorship fell. La Prensa began again on December 26, 1989 with a four-page edition. They grew immensely in popularity in the early 90s as newspapers that flourished under Noriega's rule fell quickly into the background. Scott Mahler is the editor of the Panama Edition of The Miami Herald and works with two other North American journalists. |
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Three day weekends in 2008 |
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Two national holidays will be moved to create three-day weekends next year in the interest of tourism and commerce under new Law 351. Martyr's day will still be celebrated officially on Wednesday, January 9 but the day off from work and official activities will be on Monday, January 7. Independence day from Spain, on November 28 will be pushed up to the following Monday, December 1. Hoteliers repeatedly petitioned the National Assembly for this change, and finally were able to prove with hard evidence the highly beneficial effects that this past November's holidays had. They calculated that $45 million dollars were pumped into the industry with the movement of tens of thousands of tourists into the countryside during a long weekend. |
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Sports Illustrated lists long jumper |
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The magazine "Sports Illustrated Latino" listed Panamanian long-jumper Irving Saladino from Colon among the 12 most important Latino athletes of 2007 in their most recent December issue. Saladino beat his own South American record of 8.56 meters on August 30, 2007 in Osaka, Japan where he became World Champion and gold medal winner with a jump of 8.57 meters. The cover of the magazine and the #1 spot on the list went to Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi. "SI Latino" is the Latin American version of the popular American publication, "Sports Illustrated". Get a free subscription (six editions) throughout 2008 by registering at www.silatino.com. |
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Panama swings into baseball season |
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In Panama, baseball is more than just a sport. The championships bring all the provinces together to root for their team. Music will play and flags will wave in support of the teams. The 39th Annual Youth League National Baseball Championship 2008 will begin on January 4. Panama Metro and Chiriqui will play the first game in Panama City. Historically, these are the best teams. Eleven teams from Darien, Colon, Panama Metro, Panama West, Cocle, Herrera, Los Santos , Chiriqui, Chiriqui Occidente, Bocas del Toro y Veraguas will be divided in two groups and play in rounds against each other until the two best teams are selected for the championship. Cash prizes will be awarded in the amounts of $3000 and $5000. |
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U.S.ambassador speaks again on corruption |
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United States Ambassador William Eaton has spoken out publicly once again regarding corruption in Panama. During a seminar on transparency and accountability at Hotel El Panama, Eaton stated before government agencies including the judiciary and presidential office, that despite efforts made by the Panamanian government to combat corruption, there were still "problems." Eaton was criticized by President Torrijos for speaking out about corruption in the judicial system this past December. Though Torrijos recognized the problem, he said that "The judicial problems of Panama should be resolved by nationals." This time around, Eaton noted problems that the court system has had in the past and made an effort to point out the work of those who are trying to combat corruption. But he maintained firmly that the fight against corruption is a priority for the U.S. Embassy. |
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Colombia power share proposed |
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Colombian officials are negotiating with Panama to increase the proposed electrical connection between the two countries from 300 to 600 megawatts. The project is a venture between Panama's State Electric Transmission Company (ETESA) and the ISA Group of Colombia. Mines and Energy Minister of Colombia Hernan Martinez says the studies are near completion and that negotiations are well advanced. The proposed project is expected to help the economies of both countries and serve as a conduit for energy trade for Central and Andean South American countries. To protect the rain forest in Darien, 55 kilometers of the cabling would be underground. |
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Boquete tourist center is ready for summer |
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The information center of the Panama Tourist Bureau (IPAT) in Boquette has got a face lift recently for the high tourist season. They have spent $40,000 on painting, gardening and lights. The Center has the awkward name of CEFATI an acronym for the Centro of Interpretation and Facilities Center. It also serves as a meeting place where the public can enjoy cultural and artistic events, a cafeteria and an observatory overlooking a spectacular view of Boquette. |
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Nikki Beach Playa Blanca feature in N.Y. Times |
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The New York Times travel section has recommended Panama in a December 9 article titled "The 53 places to go in 2008". Between Bogotá and Alexandria, at #22 on the list "Playa Blanca, Panama" developers got some major press for their sex-appeal residential resorts. Here's what New Yorkers read: 22. PLAYA BLANCA, PANAMA Superclubs (www.superclubs.com), the all-inclusive resort, is also dipping its toes into Playa Blanca with the 300-room Breezes Panama, scheduled to open in 2009. |
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