News

Isthmian Update

Some of the news in Panama

Colon Expressway next year
Contractors have set March 2009 as the date the Madden- Colon Expressway will be delivered. Work is proceeding on nine stretches of construction, with more than 1,700 workers involved, 70 percent of them from the Atlantic Coast.

Back to school
Nearly 808,000 students began classes on March 10 in public and private schools of the country for the school year 2008. As in previous years, the first day of classes came with reports of schools in bad conditions and a lack of teachers through abandonment or lack of appointments to their jobs.

99 M Master Cards
The Latin American region has increased its number of credit card customers over the past few months, and at present the region has 99 million Master Cards. The executives of this company see this market rising in coming years. Panama has been chosen by the Master Card company as an emerging market.

Mangroves for Tsunamis
The secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Peter Koltermann, pleaded during a visit to Panama for the protection of mangroves to mitigate the devastating impact of tsunamis in coastal areas around the world. Koltermann said, during an international conference on potential threats in the Caribbean and adjacent areas, that mangroves protect coastlines in cases of tsunamis.

Tourist promotion in Israel
The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ricardo Duran, yesterday handed the credentials to Panama´s ambassador in Israel, the journalist Addis Urieta Vega, the Foreign Ministry reported. Urieta, who has been promoting investment for more than three years at the Panamanian diplomatic mission in Israel, said that within two months Panama will participate in a tourism promotion fair with other embassies and missions in Israel.

New border patrol unit will merge naval and air services

The Minister of Government and Justice, Daniel Delgado Diamante announced that the air and sea police services will be merged into a new unit for monitoring borders, independent of the National Police Force. This new entity to be known as Special Border Supervisory Service will be detached from the police force and have its own director, who will answer to the president and it will have the capacity for training, weapons, communication and air, sea and land operations to take care of Panama´s borders properly, said Diamante.

The government bill to achieve the merger scraps the National Maritime Service (SMN) and the National Air Service (SAN), which will become the Naval Air Service. The bill will be submitted soon before the National Assembly. The new service will be better able to deal. With the drug bands operating on the Panamanian coast.

Crisis avoided
The First Vice-president and Foreign Minister, Samuel Lewis Navarro, said that the Rio Group deactivated a conflict of major proportions between Ecuador and Colombia to achieve a diplomatic and political solution to the crisis triggered by the attack on a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla camp in Ecuador, where the number two leader Raul Reyes died. "What was achieved in Santo Domingo took the diplomatic work of many people, because it appeared to be a conflict of major proportions," he added.

Funding FARC?
The Attorney General, Ana Matilde Gómez, requested a report to the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) attached to the Security Council of the Presidency, to determine whether Panamanian banks are funding the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This arises after the newspapers Universal of Mexico and The Wall Street Journal published a report that a bank in Panama sent US$20,000 to a FARC camp operating in Ecuador. Environmental protest Indians and small farmers from about 10 countryside communities grouped into citizens´committees for the defence of nature, carried out a series of protests in the capital city against mining, hydroelectric, and residential tourism projects. They came separately from Veraguas, Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí. All fear the same thing: the destruction of the environment.

But contrary to the position of various environmental organizations, a group of residents of Gualaquita, in the province of Chiriquí came to the capital to show their support for the construction of a mini hydroelectric project in the sector.

Hospital structures
Panama should place greater emphasis on structural studies of risks in hospital facilities, said Roberto Velasquez, director general of SINAPROC. He confirmed that although some strategies have been designed to cope with emergencies, a large percentage of the country´s hospitals dating back many years do not comply with structural safety.

Young global leader
The Minister of Commerce, Alejandro Ferrer, aged 39, became the first Panamanian elected as a "young global leader" by the World Economic Forum. The honor is awarded each year to recognize the young leaders from all regions for their achievements, and commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

Drug haul
During Operation "Altamar" (High Seas) Police seized 2,347 kilograms of cocaine and arrested 10 people, including eight Panamanians and two Colombians. The largest quantity of drug---about 1,572 kilograms---was seized at the mouth of the river Purio, in the district of Pedasí. Prior to that they captured 654 kilograms in Punta Mala. In February a Panamanian was detained at the Rio Purio with 121 kilograms of cocaine.

Texas University accord
Two exchange and collaboration agreements were signed by the Government of Panama and the University of Texas A&M to promote the training of specialists in agriculture. The agreements were signed by the Minister of Agricultural Development of Panama, Guillermo Salazar, and the president of the University of Texas A&M, Elsa Murano. The Panamanian president, Martin Torrijos, who participated as a witness of honor at the signing, expressed his "appreciation for the initiation of this collaboration that will directly benefit the agricultural sector and producers."

Inaugurated this month

Kuna villagers of Achutupu build themselves an airstrip

By Howard Walker

Working together fosters community spirit.

The newly rebuilt Achutupu airport makes this small island off Panama’s Caribbean coast once again a major destination. How does such a community, consisting of perhaps 2000 men, women and children restore an unused airstrip and bring it up to current standards, all without any financial help from the national government? The answer lies in the commitment of its people to donate time and hard work, along with capital from its coffers, fund raising activities and citizen levies.

The Kunas built a 653 meter airstrip.

The decision to rebuild was made in late 2003 by general agreement at the village assembly, after the old airport had been closed and declared unusable. Thus, in 2004, began the arduous work of clearing the site of new growth and diverting the course of the stream to ensure proper drainage.

Daily, women in their mola-paneled blouses, bore baskets of earth and stone on their shoulders.

The required 15 meters width and 653 meters length far exceeded the dimensions of the old landing strip. Several years of labor passed by. Daily, women bore baskets of earth and stone on the shoulders of their mola-paneled blouses; they were familiar gliding tableaux in reds and golds in the tropical clearing, working along with their husbands and families filling in the holes and preparing the level foundation for the landing strip to follow. The mixing and laying of 1000 square meters of concrete, 15 cms. thick, in humidity, sun and rain, poured to the exacting standards of the Aeronautica Civil, was a challenge.

Finally, with approval secured, planes can now make touchdown, circle the turn-around at ocean edge, finally turning off the props in front of the modest concrete block passenger terminal. Close by, taxis, i.e. canoes, tree dugout or fiberglass, motorized for the tourists, wait for their clients and returning families. Home and resort cabanas beckon from palm crowned islands across the water.

The whole village participated.

Achutupu is located approximately halfway along the archipelago of the San Blas Islands, which stretches from Porvenir down to Colombia. The new airport means that it no longer has to use the neighboring, and less convenient, one at Mamitupu. There are no roads to Achutupu so the airline is a lifeline, supplementing traditional canoe and sail transportation and national airlines provide daily service there. The trans isthmian flight from Albrook’s Marcus A.Gelabert airport is 50 minutes, and, on a clear day, one full of interest. It is a wonderful way both to see the city when leaving or approaching, and to follow a partial map of Panama’s natural beauty dotted with human settlements spread out below as we make the crossing. Always eagerly awaited is the first view of the island chain, caught in the rays of early morning sunlight.

The inauguration of the airport was on March 4th.

Rivera, Lee ready for MLB

Major League Baseball kicks off its regular season play on April 3 and Panamanians will be watching a few local players very carefully.

Four time World Series winner Mariano Rivera will once again suit up in a New York Yankee’s uniform as a relief pitcher.

Carlos Lee, born in Aguadulce, will be starting left field for the Houston Astros. Lee’s big batting arm has helped earn him the nickname “El Caballo” among the Latin community in Houston.

Catcher Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz will once again be wearing the red and white striped uniform of the Philadelphia Phillies. Ruiz helped the Phillies to their first division title since 1993.

Finally there is the Rookie, Manuel Acosta, who signed to play the Atlanta Braves and will hopes to make a name for himself as another great pitcher to come out of the organization.

Olympic soccer hopes dashed

After two close loses against Honduras and the United States, Panama’s soccer team finally got a win against Cuba last week in Tampa. The team had hoped to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. The final score was 4-1 and Panama’s Edwin Aguilar finished the game with two goals, one in the 18th minute and one in the 65th. Nelson Barahona also scored in the 26th minute and the fourth goal was chalked up to an “own goal” against Cuba.

The victory however was too little, too late as Panama failed to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic qualifying round. In Panama’s group, Group A, the United States took first place after wins against Panama and Honduras and a tie against Cuba. Honduras finished second and will also go on to the semifinals, held at LP Field in Nashville, TN.

Tourism Industry News

Virgin eyes Panama
Expansion into the European market is becoming more and more important for authorities at the Panama Tourism Bureau because of the recession in the United States. Panama has made an important first step towards a direct route connecting Panama and London.

Last year, Panama became one of the destinations listed by Virgin Holidays, af?liate of Virgin Atlantic. Their positive review of Panama as a destination could mean an eventual flight from their hub at Heathrow. Here is what they have to say about Panama on their website, www.virginholidays.co.uk“At its heart is Panama City - the bustling capital, bursting with historic landmarks, restaurants and vibrant nightlife. It is the only Latin American city surrounded by rainforest bordered by both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans and there are countless stretches of beach to explore, boasting snorkeling and deep-sea ?shing. With its intriguing past and several living Indian cultures, not to mention the Panama Canal - this is a destination that has something for everyone.”

Panama 50, Costa Rica 44
Costa Rica outscored Panama by just six countries in the World Economic Forum list of tourist destinations which was released in early March. The two nations were the highest ranking in Central America. The only other Latin American nations who outscored Panama were Puerto Rico (46) and Brazil (49).

The Forum’s list is based on the responsibility of the countries, which pleased Tourism Minister Ruben Blades. He said, “It gives us an image of fiscal responsibility, which immediately attracts investment.”

Small Business Friendly
Citibank and the Panama Tourism Bureau (IPAT) are working together to create a guide to help small tourism business write effective business plans that will facilitate their approval process when applying for loans. The government will offer preferential loans to promising businesspeople in communities that the IPAT has distinguished as being apt for developing tourism activities.

There are reportedly 28 new unrevealed destinations that the IPAT has designated as tourism zones. Government of?cials will visit these sectors and seek out strong people who will benefit from the preferential financing and at the same time generate employment in their communities while adding local authenticity to the tourism industry in Panama.

Tourism minister Ruben Blades says that small businesses are an important part of a tourism destination because they generally have more folklore and tradition than larger companies and have a positive social impact.

Panama Stamps
Some new stamps in Panama are getting lots of attention. The Panama Tourism Bureau (IPAT) has inspired new stamps being printed by the National Mail Service (COTEL). COTEL officials report 200 emails per week soliciting the six collectable stamps that feature attractions of Panama like the Chorrera Waterfall, “diablico sucio” masks, the Sitio Barriles archaeological site, the San Fernando Fort of Portobelo, Casco Antiguo and the Sarigua desert in the Azuero Peninsula.

The new stamps show a variety of
colorful themes from waterfalls to
devil masks.

IPAT Minister Ruben Blades says that the tourism stamps will be another piece in the promotion of Panama and at the same time make Panamanians proud of their country. COTEL reports that there will be 120,000 stamps made. To request the special stamps, email: filateliacotel@gobiernoyjusticia. gob.pa.

Focus Publications (Int.), S.A.