Home and Housing
Expo
From April 12 to 15 the home
and housing Fair Expovivienda will take place in the Atlapa Convention
Center. It is expected to stimulate financial transactions for
a total US$200-million, indicated the president of the organizing
committee, Pedro Detresno. At the event, organized by the Panamanian
Chamber of Construction, they will offer housing ranging from
US$13,000 to US$1-million. More than 150 developers will show
some 300 housing projects, and 15 banks will be on hand to offer
the financing.
Cabinet approves mortgage law
The Cabinet approved a bill that would exempt from payment
of income tax those workers who are earning between US$800 and
US$860 a month. In addition, they gave the green light to the
proposed law that extends the preferential interest on mortgage
loans for homes from US$62,500 to US$80,000.
Lock bid extension
Consortia in the contest for the most important work
of the expansion of the Panama Canal—the design and construction
of a third set of locks received an extension to the deadline
for submission of tenders, scheduled for August 22 this year.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) presented the consortia with
a number of amendments made to the statement of objections, as
well as geotechnical design information on the areas where they
will build the new locks.
Rodman plant will be clean, says promoter
The company Maritime Industrial Park of Panama (PIMPSA)
stated that the cement works or grinding plant for clinker that
it intends to install at the old US naval base at Rodman, would
not threaten the environment of the Panama Canal and will not
produce gases, smoke or dust. Luis H. Moreno, director of PIMPSA,
said that the cement production process is totally closed in and
not contaminant. “We will include sufficient control to
avoid emissions”, he emphasized.
Doubts on Yacht Club territory
It is not known exactly what extension of the seabed
will be given to the Club de Yates y Pesca on Avenida Balboa after
the construction of the Coastal Strip. The planners mention about
three hectares. The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) specified a
similar amount but the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) says it
is 20.6 hectares.
A “porous” border
President Martin Torrijos said in Chile that cooperation
with the Colombian authorities has prevented the incursion of
members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) onto
Panamanian territory. “We have a common porous border, but
in recent years the number of incidents has decreased” he
said. |
Strenghthen
the family
The Deputy Secretary of Education of the United States,
Sara Martínez Tucker, said on a recent visit that Panama
should strengthen the family unit in order to improve the quality
of education. In her view, it is the father who must give support
and guidance on the importance of education.“Parents should
tell their children that education is the key to a prosperous
future”, she said.
Criminal law reform
The daily “La Estrella” reported that a
new accusatory system will be implemented in Panama. Its purpose
is to put an end to the court backlog and create a system of justice
that treats everyone equally. The Executive made as a priority
reforming the Code of Criminal Procedure, to ensure that prison
inmates get a quick and expeditious trial.
Oil search
The possible existence of oil deposits in Panama is
being discussed in Houston, Texas, by the Minister of Commerce
and Industries, Alejandro Ferrer, and representantives of the
petroleum company Harken.
Loans for small businesses
The Inter-American Development Bank (BID) approved a
loan of US$25 million for Banco General, one of the most important
financial institutions in Panama and the largest of those with
private capital. The aid will be handled by the Inter-American
Investment Corporation (IIC), the arm of the BID for small and
medium enterprises.
Cleaning the Bay
The first phase of the project to clean up Panama Bay
is “into the straight”, said Jose Ducreaut, coordinator
of the work. Before the full sitting of the Panama City Council,
Ducreaut said that they have put out on bid US$36-million of the
50 projects in this first phase that contemplates, among others,work
the construction of three treatment plants in Juan Diaz, Matías
Hernandez and Rio Abajo.
Trade treaties
The democratic majority in the American Congress officially
presented a proposal asking for adjustments to the free trade
treaties that have been negotiated with Peru, Colombia and Panama,
in order to facilitate their ratification. The proposal includes
modifications to environmental, labor and port security matters
and access to cheap medicine.
Security company heist
Three robbers raided the premises of the security firm
Security Group Four, in El Cangrejo and made off with between
US$1 million and US$2 million. The director of the Technical Judicial
Police, Jose Prado Ayú, said the thieves were able to enter
the company after overpowering one of the employees. |
The difficult bid for
opposition unity The government has begun to use the money
from the Canal in political strategies alleged the president
of the Patriotic Union Party, José Raúl Mulino,
who said that not calling tenders for projects under US$50-million,
referring to the Program of Common Development for Public
Infraestructure (PRODEC) that functions with income from
the operation of the Canal, is an omen of corruption and
lack of transparency.
The Chinese mafia is one of the most powerful
and murderous in the world. In the case of Panama, it appears
to have shown up again from the latest reports of kidnappings,
armed robberies and extortion committed against businessmen
of Asian origin, it was reported in the daily “La
Estrella”.
But Ricardo Martinelli, president of the
Democratic Change Party, is not willing to give up his presidential
aspirations. In statements from the spokesman of the party,
Franklin Oduben, given to RPC radio, he said that the party
is willing to make alliances with other parties if Martinelli
goes to the head.
The First Lady, Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos
told the daily“La Estrella” she does not rule
out running for any public post, including the presidency
of the Republic. “It is my husband, Martín
Torrijos, who moves the counters in the PRD Party, and I
am his most faithful counter and when he decides where I
can support him in the future, I will be there,” she
is reported as having said. |
|
Chiriqui drivers worried
They are alarmed, frightened, and anxious say the motor
vehicle drivers in the province of Chiriqui with the high cost
they have to pay for fuel, which is US$0.15 cents more than in
Panama City. After the last advertisement on the parity prices
of petroleum products, the city of David refiected an alarming
increase in diesel and 91 and 95 octane gasoline, to the point
that many have chosen to stop using their vehicles and use public
transportation, reported the daily “La Estrella”.
Immigration bill
The full sitting of the National Assembly approved in
third reading the bill to resolve the immigration status of more
than a thousand refugees residing in Panama. Initially the law
benefited Nicaraguans, Salvadorans and Colombians who came two
decades ago because of civil strife in their countries. It includes
asylum seekers who can ask for residence with their families.
Mining forum
The impact of mineral deposits on the environment, the
use of new technologies and social responsibility that the State
should take in the granting concessions, were some of the points
discussed at the mining forum organized by the Canadian Embassy.
Congressman visits
Gene Taylor, a Democrat congressman from Mississippi,
visited Panama. Taylor met with the Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis
Navarro.
Economic outlook stays buoyant
Panama's economy, measured through the Monthly Index
of Economic Activity (IMAE), grew 10.21% in January, it was reported
by the Comptroller's Office. Despite economic problems in the
United States and the global financial crisis, the growth rate
of the Panamanian IMAE has not slowed down yet: this rate is 10.21%
higher than in January 2007 (8.84%).
The former president of the Inter- American
Development Bank and the highest-ranking representative of the
Ibero-American General Secretariat, Enrique Iglesias, spotlighted
Panama as one of the countries that will meet the target of the
Millennium Development Goals in 2015. According to Iglesias, who
was in Panama recently, statistics show that poverty has fallen
as a result of economic growth.
With a capital base of US$11,400,000 a new bank,
Capital Bank, began operations in Panama, with 100% Panamanian
shareholders. The growing economic environment, the consolidation
of some banks and the merger of others, encouraged a group of
Panamanian entrepreneurs to create Capital Bank, which has US$50
billion in assets, said Moses Cohen, its CEO. |
Press freedom threatened
The Inter American Press Association, IAPA, concluded
its biannual event in Venezuela, denouncing the serious obstacles
that continue to face the exercise of freedom of the press and
expression in the Americas. IAPA stressed its concern at the continuing
threats, assaults, intimidation and murder of journalists in several
countries of the region.
U.S. Army help
The program of civic and humanitarian assistance from
the US Department of Defense known as “Beyond the Horizon
2008”, ended in Panama at Macaracas, Los Santos province.
The operation now moves to Guatemala and Belize.
The FARC files
The files found on the computer of “Raúl
Reyes”, the “number two” of the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who was killed on March 1 in Ecuador,
reveal the possible support of Venezuela to the guerrillas, and
plans to purchase arms from an unidentified Panamanian trafficker,
according to “The New York Times”. The newspaper said
that it had access to two dozen of these computer files, made
after the military operation against a Colombian FARC camp in
Ecuadorian territory, which triggered a major diplomatic confiict
between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
|
One day las week demand for electricity
marked a new record of 50,000 megawatts, compared to 24,000
megawatts (Mw) on the same day last year, said the Energy
Secretary, Dani Kuzniecky. |
Tourism marketing plan
In a competitive bidding process a company will be selected
to develop the new national tourism campaign. This was announced
by Kathy Guardia, Director of Marketing and Communications of
the Panama Tourism Bureau (IPAT). It is hiring a communications
specialist firm to design a marketing and communications strategy.
Transport protest
Protesters used the commercial area in front of the
El Carmen Church, to make an appeal to the government to address
the problem of the poor condition of public transport demanding
a decent public transport system and insurance for passengers. |
|
KLM has arrived
The first KLM flight arrived last Sunday, March 30 at 5:40
p.m. The new nonstop flight connects Panama to Amsterdam with three
weekly flights. The landing was celebrated by waving Panamanian and
Dutch flags from the cockpit.
Representatives of IPAT, KLM and COPA cut
the ribbon to inaugurate the KLM flight.
The flight is an important step for the Panamanian tourism industry,
which is steering its eyes toward a more lucrative European market,
whose visitors stay longer than North Americans. Through the Amsterdam
hub, KLM will provide easy access to many northern European travelers
who will be able to reach the isthmus with just one flight connection.
Medical tourism
Panama is the number one destination for medical tourism in
the world, according to NuWire Investor magazine.
One of the main reasons for the influx of tourists seeking medical
help is the significantly lower cost of procedures paired with the fact
that many doctors in Panama trained in the United States. Costs of surgeries
are on average 40 to 70 percent lower than in the United States and
the similarity of Panamanian hospitals to those in the States reduces
the culture shock many medical tourists experience.
Crossing the Canal in the dark
Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the
cruise line, Silversea, apologized to its customers for misinforming
them about the cruise through the Panama Canal.
Silversea promised a canal crossing but the crossing was made at night,
causing most passengers to miss what was billed as the highlight of
the trip.
A Silversea spokesperson said the crossing was planned for daylight
hours but Canal authorities held the cruise ship back until night to
let larger container ships pass during the day.
Silverseas offered its customers a 20% discount on future cruises
as a gesture of goodwill. |
The international home furnishings and decoration fair, Bello Hogar
2008, announced at a press conference in late March that they would
be donating some of this year's proceeds to the country's largest provider
of foster care, Aldeas Infantiles SOS. This will be the 19th year of
Bello Hogar - beautiful home– where for $3, visitors can shop
for all products relating to the home like furniture, decoration and
design consultation, beauty, wellbeing and much more. The fair will
take place August 27 to 31 this year at the Atlapa Convention Center
in Panama City.
Manuel Alzamora, president of Bello Hogar is planning to have the
biggest and best Bello Hogar ever this year, while making a social contribution
to orphans in Panama. While accessing a large concentration of buyers,
the companies who display their products at the fair will also be making
a contribution back to the community.
Domingo Barrios of Aldeas
Infantiles SOS and Manuel
Alzamora of Bello Hogar.
Domingo Barrios, president of the orphanage commonly called "Aldeas"
spoke about the realities of the orphan system in Panama. Law stipulates
that orphans cannot be raised in an institutional orphanage, and states
that children should grow up in foster care instead. But the government
does not provide any funding for the foster care that it stipulates
as necessary. Aldeas is an international organization that builds homes
for ten youngsters without parents or family where they grow up with
a foster mother. All expenses like education and meals and a salary
for the foster mother are covered by Aldeas until the children reach
legal age.
Bello Hogar and Aldeas are committed to increasing national funding
for the nations orphans. Currently only 10% of the funds used to raise
the country's orphans come from within the Republic of Panama. The other
90% of the funds comes through donation from, North America and Europe,
Dominguez said.
Bello Hogar organizers see a great opportunity to educate local business
people about this fact through their fair in August and hope to raise
awareness. "It is time for Panama to take more responsibility for
its orphans," said Alzamora.
But increasing awareness and Corporate Social responsibility is not
the only purpose of the fair. Alzamora has plans to make this a very
profitable venture for those who wish to put their products on display.
Each company will be able to keep an electronic database with the information
of the customers who visit and show interest in the products offered,
making it easier to conduct follow-up after the fair and close more
sales.
And through an international television campaign, they will be extending
an invitation to all of the Central American countries to come to Panama
and visit Bello Hogar. The international cam-paign will be broadcast
by Claro TV, a channel owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. Organ-izers
point out that this will be the first time that such a great effort
will be made to attract individual buyers to a fair of this caliber
in Panama. |
The new Albrook Century 21 offices.
The growing demand for real estate services in Panama City has inspired
CENTURY21 Semusa Realty to expand into the northern sector of the city.
The new CENTURY21 Semusa Realty office serves the North of the City
which includes the former Canal Zone, El Dorado, La Alameda, Bethania,
Villa de las Fuentes & Altos de Panama, They are located across
from the Marcos Gelabert Airport in Albrook.
"Panama City is small, but because of the traffic and how much
time it takes to get out here, we decided to open up a regional office
to provide better service to our clients who wish to buy, sell and rent
in the area." explained Panama City North office manager Ariel
Donato. He says that the office is being well received by the surrounding
community, who identifies with the CENTURY21 brand that has been in
the country for eight years.
|
Better Service by being based locally |
When CENTURY21 opened, their focus was on the southern part of the
city, in the neighborhoods that are near Panama Bay. This is their second
expansion. They opened up a regional office in Coronado to attend customers
in the area in late 2006.
By being based locally in the communities, they are able to give better
service to their clients who are looking to sell or purchase a home
because they are connected into the immediate area. Donato mentions
that local property owners have stopped by the new office just to say
hello and meet the bilingual staff. He says that this is the first step
in building a relationship with neighbors who will eventually become
clients. "People like to know that their Realtor is right around
the corner," he said.
Visit www.SemusaRealty.com or call the Panama City North office at
212-2123 or stop by. They are located in front of the Albrook airport
between Banvivienda and Banco General. |
Hide/ Ocultar
![[ Map ]](javascript:Start('../Visitor11-16/Img11-16/mapa11-16.jpg', 950, 419)){kind=link}