News
Copa gets five new Boeing jets
Copa Airlines announced that it has taken delivery of five of its eight “new generation” 737-800, 160-passenger jets from Boeing. Copa expects to take delivery of the remaining three jets in this order before the end of 2010.
According to Pedro Heilbron, Executive President of Copa Airlines, “With these new jets we continue to expand the Hub of the Americas with more frequent flights and more destinations for the convenience of our customers.” Mr. Heilbron goes on to say that, “These jets, along with the three additional deliveries coming the second half of this year allow us to continue a programmed expansion at a time when there is an increasing demand for our services.”
Copa currently offers 152 flights daily to 45 destinations throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. Copa Airlines operates the most modern fleet of aircraft in all of the Americas. Copa’s sixty-airplane fleet consists of twenty Boeing 737-700, fourteen Boeing 737-800, and twenty-six Embraer 190 jets.
PanamaCompra 2.0
Government contract website gets an update
The process of posting and bidding on government contracts has been completely digitalized. The website www.panamacompra.gob.pa has a new interface for the government to post public contracts and receive offers from possible bidders. “PanamaCompra 2.0” (PanamaBuys) is more simple for users, with less bureaucracy in government processes, said Ing. Eduardo Jaén, the General Administrator of the National Authority of Government Innovation (AIG).
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
Social network
for journalists
This week the project called “My Transparent Panama” finally began, bringing together the main daily newspapers La Estrella de Panama, Panama America and La Prensa, in a platform through which people can transmit information of relevance to the country. This is the construction of the first social network in Latin America run by journalists from different media.
Bosco calls it “enemy fire”
The Mayor of Panama City, “Bosco” Ricardo Vallarino said yesterday that his administration has faced “enemy fire” coming from the ruling “alliance” government (which includes his party, the Panameñistas). He further argued that “spoilers” have been found who are close to president Ricardo Martinelli. Though Bosco’s work has been severely questioned, he said he will remain in office through 2014.
Austrians to invest
The Deputy Minister of International Trade Negotiations of Panama, Francisco Alvarez de Soto said Asturian companies have been invited to participate in the various works carried out in the country. Alvarez de Soto participated in the second Metal Forum that took place at the Palacio de Congresos de Gijón, in Spain. The official said the public investment plan involves investments of $13 million.
Panamaian family
under investigation
The daily Panama America reported that “a Panamanian family” in the business of foreign trade is being investigated by the First Drug Prosecutor, after an alleged connection with the seizure of more than $425,000 for money laundering. Authorities said the “group” asked a woman to drive a gray Suzuki, but she did not know that there was money was hidden in it.
Satellite tracking
of fishermen
Panama has new support tools to track industrial fishing vessels via satellite, thanks to efforts by the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Central America (OSPESCA) and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI). The system gives geographic coordinates, speed, heading, date and time of registered vessels.
Loan portfolio increases
The local loan portfolio increased by $398 million in the first quarter of the year to total about $22 billion, which benefits several economic sectors. About $387 million is the balance of the total portfolio accounted for in loans to the local private sector, of which the two sectors with the largest increases were mortgages with $117 million and industry $111 million, according to a report on the International Banking Center by the Banking Superintendence of Panamá.
Legalized foreigner count
Statistics of the National Immigration Service show that from 2004 to April 30, 2010, a total of 67,453 foreigners have been legally established in Panama. Of this amount, 17,423 are Colombian citizens, 7,776 are Americans, 5,632 Venezuelans and 5,458 Chinese.
Archbishop wants
investigation
The Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Ulloa, demanded that new-investigations be made into the disappearance and death of Colombian priest Hector Gallego. Nearly forty years ago he disappeared on June 9, 1971, during the military dictatorship of Omar Torrijos. Bishop Ulloa was emphatic in stating that justice must be done and “we will not and can not forget it.”
Varela to Peru for OAS
The Vice-president and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, traveled to Lima, Peru to participate in the XL General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose central theme is “Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Americas.”
Low population growth
per census
The preliminary figure of the 2010 census reveals a low rate of growth of population, which stood at 1.58%, below the average in 2000, which was 2.0%. Around 70,000 children are born in Panama annually.
Container shortage
According to the weekly shipping newspaper The Bulletin, although the peak period for container orders from the Far East is upon us, Panamanian importers may find movements slow this year because of a box shortage. Some lines have been looking at an equipment shortage in a capacity squeeze on transpacific container trades prompting fears of new costs. Industry experts have mentioned introducing an equipment repositioning charge to pay to get “empties” back to China.
Labor law proposal July 1
The Minister of Labor, Alma Cortez, confirmed that on July 1 the government will submit to the National Assembly a draft law amending the present labor laws. The daily Panamá America reported that in reaction to this, the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO) invoked international solidarity with trade union allies in Canada and the United States not to ratify the Free Trade Agreements with Panamá.
Tocumen to grow
The government will begin steps to acquire about 325 hectares of land belonging to the University of Panama for approximately $109 million, in order to expand Tocumen International. The manager of Tocumen SA, Juan Carlos Pino, explained that this transaction is projected to turn Tocumen Airport into a city airport, since in these areas malls, hotels and convention centers will be built to promote tourism.
Panama requests
Noriega extradition
The daily El Siglo reported that the Embassy of Panama in France confirmed that last week it received a request for extradition of former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega to Panama, for the murder of Dr. Hugo Spadafora Franco, said a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Seizure by sea: cocaine totals
The daily La Critica reported that a total of 7,864 kilos of cocaine have been seized at sea between the months of February and May, according to a report from the National Naval Air Service (SENAN).
Six gold exploration
applications
The daily La Prensa reported that the price of gold and constant government announcements for development of the mining industry has “aroused the appetite of companies”. A report on mining applications and grants from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Mici) from last April to December shows that there were six new applications for gold exploration.
Phase II of Panama-Colón highway
The daily La Estrella de Panamá reported that the second phase of the Panama-Colón highway is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks with an initial cost of $218 million, according to the deputy minister of Public Works, Ivan De Ycaza.
ATLAPA for sale
The daily Panamá America reported that the ATLAPA Convention Center will be sold and money from the transaction will be used to invest in the structures erected in Barraza, stated the Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino.
$1 million for Haiti
Panama will contribute $1 million for the reconstruction of Haiti, which will be used to ensure food security, stated Foreign Minister and Vice President, Juan Carlos Varela, at the World Summit on the Future of Haiti, convened by the Dominican Republic.
Tax revenues increased
The daily La Critica reported that Panama is the Latin American country that had the largest percentage increase in tax revenues in 2009 compared with 2008, some 8.8%, according to a study by the American Center of Tax Administration (CIAT), conducted in January 2010. In connection with the Excise Tax, Panama is the country that most increased its revenue in the region, recording a growth of 20.6%.
British American
Insurance bankrupt
Certifications on the margin of solvency and liquidity in 2007, 2008 and 2009, reveal that the insurance and reinsurance administration failed in controlling the management of the local subsidiary of British American Insurance Company, which earlier this week filed for bankruptcy.
David airport expansion
contract awarded
The order to proceed to expand the Enrique Malek International Airport in David, Chiriquí, was awarded to the company Riva Argentina, SA (Real Estate, Industrial, Commercial and Agricultural Finance Company.) The foundation stone was laid and it was announced that the investment is of $27.4 million, which includes the design and construction of the runway extension.