News
“Fiestas Patrias”
Seco Herrerano celebrates Panamanian independence
Colón historic sites on watch list
By Jim Walker
Colón was founded with the start of the Panama Railroad in the mid-19th century by the American-Panama Railroad Company, the city of Colón quickly developed into an important trade and economic center of Latin America. By 1914, with the completion of the Panama Canal, Colón was a melting pot of West Indian, European, American, and Asian culture.
Inaugurated as a cemetery in 1914, Corozal was an official expansion of Mount Hope; both cemeteries were designated for “Silver Roll” employees, the nonwhite workers of the Panama Canal and American Canal Zone. Silver roll referred to the fact that non-white workers were subject to a different pay scale than Caucasians.
ATP reports:
2009 tourism figures expected to equal 2008
After a low point in tourism at mid year it looks like the number of visitors to Panama this year will be similar to those of 2008, according to Salomón Shamah, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP). “We are not going to surpass last year but we will come in with a tie, which is quite an accomplishment,” Mr. Shamah continued.
The year 2008 set a record for tourists coming to Panama – about 1.6 million. In July of this year Panama had recorded 900,000 tourists, a drop of 1.2 percent. Tourism officials blame it on the global economic crisis. Another factor, the ATP noted, is the reduction in travel caused by the influenza scare earlier this year.
The year 2008 set a record for tourists coming to Panama – about 1.6 million.
From 2003 to 2008 Panama saw yearly increases in tourism, more than doubling the number of tourists per year from about 865,000 in 2003 to around 1.6 million in 2009. Mr. Shamah credits actions of the new administration to encourage operators and service providers to give discounts of 25 percent for the anticipated recovery in tourist numbers in the later half of 2009.
The new administration is also urging the construction of a new convention center in the capital with 15,000 square meters floor space, three times the space of the ATLAPA Convention Center. Mr. Shamah also noted that he is working on another list of incentives to drive more tourism to all parts of Panama. This effort would be in line with the Master Plan for Tourism 2007 - 2020 from Ruben Blades’ sojourn as head of the Ministry of Tourism. That plan calls for an airport in the interior to facilitate travel to more remote locations as well as developing more facilities for potential destinations in the interior.
Azuero featured in new Focus Panama guidebook
The town of Pedasí, located on the southern tip of the peninsula, is the focal point of tourism investment in the area and is also the focal point of Focus Panama’s feature article. Inside, you will find a detailed map, where to stay and eat, activities and sports and important dates in the region.
Focus Panama is published twice per year and distributed free throughout the republic at tourist locations. Look for your copy or call 225-6638 for directions to stop by our offices and pick one up. Copies are available in English or Spanish.
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
Surge of new businesses
Through the electronic portal PanamaEmprende this year 17,696 new companies have been created with investment plans that reach $1,235 million. Panama is the province that is leading the charge in relation to the creation of new enterprises. It is followed by Chiriqui and Colon.
Help for farmers and agricultural exports
A credit scheme for the agricultural sector will be implemented by the National Bank of Panama (BNP) to help farmers to combat the phenomenon of El Nino. More than 5,000 farming customers nationwide can benefit from this program that will help them to develop new production techniques for the summer season, which is expected to be extended for up to seven months. Two weeks after the government announced the elimination of the Tax Credit Certificate (CAT), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed that it is working on a Bill to create another tax incentive system, similar to the CAT, which will be transferable. The new instrument will be a Certificate of Agricultural Export Promotion (CEFA). Minister of Commerce, Roberto Henriquez, said the original idea was to finish with the CAT and never replace it, but several studies found that the agricultural sector “could not be left out”, and needed to be subsidized. According to the Comptroller, exports from January to August were down 37.5% compared to the same period in 2008, representing $328.98 million less.
Coastal Beltway extension
Work began on extending the Coastal Beltway, for an investment of $52 million. The second phase of the work will extend the beltway from the Mercado del Marisco (Fish Market on Avenida Balboa) to the pier near the Presidential Palace and provides a place for merchants in a bank sector and a multipurpose wharf.
Texas/Panama accord
A cooperation agreement between the Center for Health Sciences at the University of Texas and the University of Panama, was signed this week by the rector Gustavo García de Paredes and the President of the Center for Health Sciences of the U.S. university, Larry Kaiser.
“Equalization”
bill criticised
Eight days after the National Assembly approved in third reading, the Bill that eliminates “equalization” in State contracts, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama issued a statement calling for a veto of the initiative. It argues, that the law threatens legal stability and deprives the country of future investments.
Panama Diamond
Exchange
Panama will open the first diamond exchange in Latin America, to distribute gemstones to markets in the region. The company Panama Diamond Exchange will import rough and polished diamonds to distribute from the country from 2010. The initial investment will be $300 million.
Vehicle registration
bill axed
A bill which seeks to increase to $40 the cost of vehicle registration was frozen as “inappropriate” in the National Assembly. The decision came after meetings between the director in charge of the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT), Ricardo Fabrega, and members of the Transport Committee of the National Assembly.
International Business
Park opens
Panama Pacific this month opened the first buildings of its International Business Park at the former Howard Airforce base. Henry Kardonski, the Economic Area Manager, noted that the new flexi-bodegas (flexible warehouse design) and “Class A” office buildings will soon be ready to occupy.
Alien smuggling
investigted
The Prosecutor Against Organized Crime ordered the investigation of at least 15 staff members of various institutions who could be involved in a network of smuggling of aliens from the People’s Republic of China. The officials worked at the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the Department of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Passports.
Anti-gang law questioned
The ineffectiveness of the anti-gang law was reported by the daily La Prensa. Lack of resources, the rigidity of the law, lack of coordination between the authorities and the tendency to use repressive policies are just some of the factors. Created in 2004 and renewed in 2007, Law 15 was intended to stop gang activity, although only 312 cases have been processed of 5,000 gang members throughout the country, according to the Gang Unit of the National Police Force.
Tico president visits
President Ricardo Martinelli, along with his counterpart from Costa Rica, Óscar Arias, met at the presidential palace on Thursday October 29. Arias and Martinelli signed a bilateral trade, political and cultural treaty. Arias visited the Panama Canal and attended a State dinner.
Land prices high
in city’s west
Land in Arraiján and La Chorrera is at a premium. Approximately 58 housing projects including duplexes and villas are under way according to press reports. The price bracket for these homes in the area west of the city, is between $45,000 $80,000.
Indians leave for
coffee harvest
Thousands of Panamanian Indians crossed the border of Panama with Costa Rica to pick coffee in the coffee plantations in the neighboring country, along with their children who left primary schools.
South Corridor
traffic increase
The Southern Corridor freeway in Panama City, the toll road linking downtown with the Tocumen International Airport, had a 10% increase in traffic due to economic growth in Panama, as well as operational and marketing activities and promotion of the use of electronic, prepaid and exact payment booths, said the Mexican operator ICA.
Heavy participation
in Expologistica
Jorge Arias, President of Expologística 2009 noted that the fair had more than 150 modules and a series of 25 lectures this year and pointed out that the main objective of the event was to optimize processes and strategies for the logistics sector in Panama. It was the spearhead of sectors such as seaports, aviation, ground transportation, cargo movements, Customs brokers, universities, cargo agents and companies engaged in exports and imports in which all participated