Panama: exports of (water)melons and pineapple increases $ 20 mln.
Tholen - The trade association for produce exports from Panama, Gantrap, has formulated a new plan to further develop the production and exports of non-traditional export products, like pineapple, melon and mango. This group of products represents 35% of the total production volume. While the acreage destined for agri-exports is now at 10.000 hectares, Gantrap expects an acreage of 20.000 ha for exports in 2009. In 2005/2006, 50% of non-traditional exports were destined for Europe and held a turnover of $ 60 mln. For the 2005/2006 season Gantrap expects the export acreage to increase from 10.500 ha to 12.000 ha, while the export turnover will rise from $ 60 mln. to $ 80 mln. Gantrap unites the Panamanian exporters specialised in non-traditional export products like melons, watermelons and pineapples, which make up the bulk, besides some other fruits and vegetables to a lesser extent. Author: André van der Wiel for www.freshplaza.com
Frank Kennedy, Special to Gulf News: According to an exclusive report by Fairplay, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) is to make recommendations to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that revisions be made to the ISM Code in particular with respect to the incorporation of drills that recreate real, practical scenarios. These recommendations come as the AMP presents its preliminary report to the IMO on the sinking of the Egyptian ferry Al Salam Boccaccio 98 last February with the loss of over 1,000 passengers and crew. The report also maintains that greater attention must be focused on ro-ro ferries to ensure that scuppers never become blocked and that alternative means of water evacuation are always provided. Furthermore, according to the AMP, the type and performance of fixed fire extinguishing systems should also be examined particularly the deluge sprinklers on car decks of ro-ros, to avoid secondary effects of flooding. The report also recommends that ports must strictly enforce security checks of luggage to avoid loading of hazardous material on ro-ro ferries. The IMO and other international bodies have also been urged to implement further training in rescue operations for seafarers and authorities on routes involving large numbers of people or pilgrims.
HAVANA (AP) — The United States baseball team qualified for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with an 11-5 victory over Panama on Sunday night.
Cuba garnered the region's other direct slot for the Olympics after a 4-0 victory over Mexico on Sunday. The United States will play Cuba on Tuesday. "It is a dream come true to face Cuba in a gold medal match," said U.S. manager Davey Johnson. Right-hander Kevin Slowey is expected to start against Cuba on Tuesday. Baseball was the first sport in which Americans earned a spot in the 2008 Olympics. The inventors of the game and the 2000 Sydney Olympic champions missed the 2004 Olympics in Athens as they failed to qualify at the Americas Qualifier. The United States achieved their fifth win in this year's qualifier in Havana on Sunday, the third day of the second and decisive round. They went into the game against Panama with just one loss in the first round, to Venezuela. Lefty starter Greg Smith allowed one run, struck out five and walked two in 3 1/3 innings. Right-handers Nick Ungs, Lee Gronkiewicz and Jeff Farnsworth sealed the qualification with the former earning the win. Panama's starter Elpidio Pinto took the loss. Second baseman Bobby Hill went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Billy Butler and Bourns both had two hits and two RBI. Orlando Miller was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs for Panama. Panama opened the scoring in the first inning, when Miller hit a triple and leftfielder Earl Agnoly had a RBI single. The United States answered with Bourns' two-run single. The U.S. added three runs in the third and four in the fourth to put the game away.
I had a guy doing some work in my house which required drilling a hole through a wall. He found an electric cable (the hard way) and caused an impressive short-circuit, which smoked my mother board. Before you start telling me how important it is to have surge protectors and UPS and all that other stuff, I had all that in place and it still managed to smoke my primary system. So I wandered down the to the best computer store in Panama (IBC, behind the Subway in El Dorado) and picked up a new Intel 3.0 GHz CPU with an 800mHz FSB, another 512mb memory stick, and a new motherboard with all the bells and whistles. It took about twenty minutes to put it all together but it was worth it. Anyway, in case you were wondering I wasn't goofing off yesterday, I was tearing apart my main system. Now I've got enough parts and pieces to build a new machine, just as soon as I can lay my hands on a socket 478 motherboard that will support the Intel 2.4 GHz CPU that I was using in my old system. Anyway, if you need computer stuff the guys at IBC are still the best in town. And BTW this new system is a rocket compared to what I was driving...
By MARC LACEY (NY Times) PANAMA — Once the equivalent of a modern, multilane highway, the Panama Canal may be on the verge, say those who run it, of becoming something closer to an old, congested country road. The canal’s revenues have done little to improve the lives of Panama’s poor. The increasing number of ships hovering off shore awaiting a chance to cross the isthmus is just one sign of the 92-year-old canal’s status as a bottleneck. On top of that, hundreds of modern superships are too wide to squeeze into the canal’s aging locks at all. All this would seem to be evidence of the need to modernize the canal. But a government plan to do that, which Panamanians will vote on in a referendum in October, may be in danger of failing because of a host of considerations that say much about this country’s difficult past and challenging present. The canal means everything to Panamanians, who view it as Saudis might view their oil or Kenyans their wildlife. It is what makes their tiny country stand out on the map and generates a good portion of its outside income.
I saw an article in the paper a few days ago saying that an "American tourist" had been shot in a robbery attempt on Via Veneto at a cell phone store. I stopped by to visit him in the hospital after it happened to make sure that he had some kind of a local network of help and support. He has friends here who are looking after him and it turns out he has all the help he needs. He's been through surgery, moved from the ICU and is now in a regular room and starting his recovery. He gave me permission to tell his story but also asked me to protect his privacy. I had already heard some details of the assault from law enforcement sources and I wanted to know what had happened, how it went down. "I'm just a good old boy from Tennessee, and there's a line there that if you cross, well then you and me, we're going to be going at it," he said. He had plans to meet some friends for dinner later that evening. One of this Panamanian friends had lost a cell phone that day and he thought it would be a nice gesture to replace the phone. He was in the store and picking out what he wanted to buy when he heard a commotion. (more...)
The President of Panama's Supreme Court, Graciela Dixon, preferred not to comment on statements made by US Ambassador to Panama Willian Eaton on the subject of the revocation of Winston Spadafora's visa. "Each country has the right to define its immigration policy and can determine to whom it will or will not grant a visa," said Dixon. She said that the cancellation of a visa should not shock the nation. Dixon said that international relations and diplomatic exchanges must occur on the basis of respect. This week US Ambassador William Eaton offered to release supporting information detailing the reasons why the US cancelled Winston Spadafora's visa to visit the United States in November of last year.
Nurys Sanchez, a housewife, is worried. She's afraid she will be forced to move from the house she's been living in for 40 years because it sits tem meters from the ruins of Panama's historic "Old Panama" area as part of a government rezonificacion. "I heard that we must go to us because all this will be tourist area", Sanchez said, who like other residents are afraid they will be forced aside by million dollar investments to build hotels and restaurants. The plan presented by the government a few days ago allows for the 10,212 residents currently living in the 50 hectare area to modify their houses and be allowed to either sell artisan crafts to tourists, or to turn their houses into bed and breakfasts. Authorities want there to be more crafts stores like Panica which is located in the Via Cincuentenario. The area currently does not look anything like a tourist area. They are few stores selling arts and crafts, no restaurants serving "typical" Panamanian food, and no hotels. In the community there are currently 163 sites, which are small businesses, improvised car repair shops, and little stores. The only exception is the Panica crafts store whose owner says that sales are very slow. "This neighborhood has grown divorced from the nearby Archaeological wealth, which draw signficant tourist traffic," says Julieta de Arango, the executive director of the Old Panama Patronage. Every year about 36,000 people visit the site, most of them foreigners with high levels of income. For Arango it is imperative that the residents of the area are not a threat to the historical monument, but rather participate in its benefits. But it is not a easy task. Greater training is requred, so that the community is properly informed, to offer the resources according to what each family can invest, to improve security and to finish the legalization of lands, said community leader Arturo Guzmán. "To me it seems that the best option for the sector would be to create a special zone allowing for a mix of tourism and residential use."
JULIANA BARBASSA (AP) SAN FRANCISCO - High in a downtown hotel, Nicaraguan folk dancers twirl in lacy white dresses, their bare feet tapping intricate rhythms on the wooden stage, giving their buttoned-down audience a bit of tropical warmth on a foggy afternoon. Their flounce and easy smiles before this roomful of travel experts are part of an effort to promote Nicaragua to Americans who might choose to retire there, attracted by its pristine beaches and colorful culture. And then there are the tax breaks and other incentives that baby boomers are likely to find even sweeter than the tropical fruits the dancers carefully balance in baskets on their heads. "They're a growing market with disposable income looking for a place to live, and Nicaragua has that," says the country's young minister of tourism, Maria Rivas. She's putting her Harvard-honed business skills to work highlighting the country's safety, its modernizing infrastructure, and the laws enacted to attract foreign investment and retirees. Rivas takes the crowd on a PowerPoint tour of Nicaragua: the perfect waves that attract surfers to the Pacific coast, the isolated beaches where sea turtles lay eggs by moonlight, and the bird and orchid species that thrive in its dense forests.
The Caravana charity fundraising event was held at the Atlapa Convention Center today from noon to 9:00 PM. This event is organized every year by a committee of women from all of the different embassies represented in Panama and the money is donated to charities. This year 25% of the proceeds will go to the Hospital del Nino and the rest will be spent throughout the year on community projects, school upgrades, and the like. Here's a 
Rumor has it that several recent actions by Panama's Attorney General Ana Matilde Gómez will soon be rejected by Panama's Supreme Court. One of the cases in question is that of Erick Bravo, the assistant director of the PTJ who Gómez ordered removed from his position over mishandling of the Vanessa Márquez case. Bravo told La Prensa that he heard a rumor that there is a resolution circulating that would restore him to his position. Also, a highly placed source in the Public Minstry said that the resolution, which is under the control of Winston Spadafora, contradicts the advice of Gomez. There are also rumors that two prosecutors removed by Gomez, Nedelka Díaz and Giovanni Olmos, would also be restored to their positions by the court.
Panama's Minister of Education Miguel Ángel Cañizales announced that they will begin transmitting classes via the educational television channel 11 in an attempt to salvage the school year. Cañizales said that the $90 per month raise and adjustments to the implementation schedule represent a victory for the teachers. He said teachers should end their strike because it doesn't make sense to continue. He emphasized that the national government and the Ministry of Economy and Finance has said there is no chance of a raise at the moment. Teachers rejected the education by television proposal.
For two days executives, tourists and residents in the area of Marbella, the financial center of the country, have had to see, smell, and walk around human waste. A major sewage line collapsed and has been "flushing" raw sewage into the street a few meters from the Four Points Sheraton and Radisson Decapolis hotels. Miguel González, of the waste water department of the IDAAN, blamed businesses in the area for putting solid waste and grease into the system. "Most of the restaurants in that zone do not have fat traps," he said. The sewage system in Panama City, which serves 70% of the population, has been in service for more than 30 years. There have been other system failures in Chanis, Curundú, Parque Lefevre, El Dorado y San Miguelito. (Editor's Comment: Panama City needs to invest in infrastructure upgrades - yesterday.)
The Panama government and the World Bank (WB) have signed an agreement under which the WB will offer 500,000 U.S. dollars to a drinking water and hygiene project for low-income Panamanians, Panama's Economy and Finance Ministry said on Thursday. The money, donated by the Japanese government, will be used to build a sewage system, aqueducts, gutters in a bid to improve the general health of poorer Panamanians. Panama also signed another deal with the WB to study and prepare a Social Welfare program, also using Japanese money, which is to be carried out by Panama's Social Development Ministry. This welfare donation totals 584,400 U.S. dollars and will be used to help improve the health of young people and expectant mothers. A total of 64,200 dollars will be spent on administration, training and operational costs. The two projects, both administered by the Bank, aim to build human capital, and reduce social exclusion, as well as the vulnerability of families suffering extreme poverty. Source: Xinhua
Every now and then I run into someone who does a great job for a good price, is responsive and responsible. I just had Eduardo Cobas (6607-4843) do some plumbing work for me. He did an excellent job, on time and on target. He's working with Jorge (J.B.) Bloise (6618-4435) who is out of the country right now, working on a gig in the Bahamas or something. Anyway, these guys turned out to be the right fix, and are recommended for and little residential plumbing job you might need done. I had them extened a gas line, install a new on-demand hot water heater, fix some leaks, stuff like that. Cheap. Tell them "Mr. Don" sent you.
There's an element I frequently encounter in my personal and business travels around Panama. If you know me personally then you know that I'll never be mistaken for a local. As a matter of fact my personal appearance is of the "classic gringo" in Panama. I sometimes take advantage of this disguise to pass myself off as a newbie, fresh off the Continental Tocumen-Newark shuttle, in order to hear the real pitch that people are getting from the sales staffs of all the people who are trying to position themselves to cater to this growing market. And in my case, it's easy to play dumb (funny, it almost seems natural sometimes... hmmm.) So I frequently embark on a journey to find the "truth" about something and I'm almost always surprised along the way. My preconceived notions are usually wrong and there are several consistent facts that continually crop up on these excursions. That truth is in the eye of the beholder, that people have a tendency to ignore the most important things because its not what they expected to hear, and that the only constant is change. (more...)
The date for the Panama senior golf association tournament has been changed to Thursday, 14 September (old date Wed. 13th September). This will be a special 1-year celebration for our association with lunch and special prizes. Don’t miss it! All other details remain the same. Next PSGA Tournament Summit Golf & Resort Thursday, 14 September, Shotgun 8:00 a.m. $30.00 includes green fee & cart. Lunch and Special Prizes! Entries at Summit Pro Shop before 6 p.m. Monday 11 September Late entries $5.00 additional
Authorities from the University of Panama (UP) are investigating private universities following allegations that schools are graduating new lawyers in less than two and a half years of study. The UP is responsible for controlling private universities of higher education. The Rector of the UP, Gustavo García de Paredes, said they are investigating all schools in Panama that graduate lawyers to assure their programs comply with approved plans of study. García de Paredes also said they are investigating a Masters degree program for dentists given by the Universidad Latina de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT) which costs more than $21,000 to determine if the program conforms with the program approved by the UP.
"The strike is still on", according to Ariadna de Petterson, a coordinator of the Teacher's Action Front (FAM) that is rejecting the offer from the Panamanian government for a $90 per month raise. The FAM started out with a demand for $195 per month, then dropped their demand to $145 and recently dropped again to $120. Ariadna de Petterson made her announcement as she was leaving the Office of the Presidency where leaders of the FAM were received by the Sub-Comptroller Luis Carlos Amado, the Vice Minister of Education Zonia de Smith, and the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Dilio Arcia. The FAM presented their latest proposal demanding a $120 per month raise at this meeting. Petterson accused Panama's president Martin Torrijos of being responsible for prolonging the strike, now in its third week, because she says that he has not shown an interest in resolving the conflict and has been disrespectful on several occasions. The FAM leadership entered the Palace of Herons after arriving with a group of protestors that had marched from the El Carmen chrurch, to demand that the government reopen wage increase negotiations. The teachers came from all over Panama and protested against Martin Torrijos and the Minister of Education Miguel Ángel Cañizales to the tune of drums, bands, salsa, and calipso music. The protestors chanted slogans making reference to the referendum to expand the Panama Canal. The government says that they cannot grant a larger wage increase. The FAM announced they will march to the National Assembly on Friday, 1 Septmeber.
By KATHRYNNE SKONICKI: ROMEOVILLE—A little over a week after arriving in Wacuco, Panama, Todd Trabert discussed his latest service endeavor with the Catholic Explorer during a telephone conversation. On Aug. 25, the member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Naperville was in the early days of his 18-month commitment as a participant in Cap Corps, the Capuchin Franciscan volunteer program. The 23-year-old is currently living in residence with Capuchin friars and two other Caps Corp volunteers. He said, “I’m just trying to use whatever talents God has given me for the betterment of his kingdom.” Those abilities include skills acquired while earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Trabert doesn’t consider himself fluent in Spanish, so he plans to spend the next couple of months in a cultural immersion, learning the language before starting on engineering projects in Alto Bayano.
The number of job applications sent to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) had doubled to 5,200 a month since April 24, when Panamanian President Martin Torrijos announced the Canal widening project, the ACP said on Tuesday. Ana Maria de Chiquilani, the ACP's human resources director, said most applications had come from electricians, drivers, welders and cablemen. She said there were also significant numbers of applications from civil engineers, technicians and computer specialists of various grades. The ACP has currently received more than 62,000 applications, more than 32,200 of which meet the job specifications. At present, the canal project mostly needs temporary workers, welders, riggers, mechanics, cablemen and assemblers. The ACP will choose and recruit staff in line with the organizations' needs and the progress of the canal widening project, the director added. Panama is set to hold a public referendum in October on a 5.25-billion-dollar plan to enlarge the canal to accommodate new, super-large cargo ships. Some 13,000 ships pass the 77-km canal a year, 5 percent of the global maritime market. Source: Xinhua
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a letter of understanding with Empresas Bern to open a hospitality training school in Panama called the Holiday Inn Hotel and School Panama Canal. The City of Knowledge, where the hotel and school will be located, is an international complex for education, research and innovation. The hotel and school, which in its initial phase will have 110 rooms, will be the first educational institution for IHG in Latin America. The Holiday Inn Hotel and School Panama Canal will feature learning spaces for the school’s hospitality programme, such as a lecture hall, several classrooms, group study/meeting rooms, a computer centre and an auditorium for large classroom lectures. The school will provide management-level instruction in a full range of hospitality disciplines. The existing homes located on the premises will be renovated for extended stay purposes and student housing. The hotel and school is slated for completion around mid 2008. Details: www.ihgplc.com
By Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta: Chris John, the World Boxing Association featherweight champ from Indonesia, could pay a heavy price for the extra weight he is carrying ahead of his mandatory title defense against Renan Acosta of Panama, several boxing commentators warned Wednesday. "Having to reduce his weight drastically (in a short period) could spell serious problems for Chris John, as it could lead to dehydration and a loss of endurance during the fight," former boxer and commentator Syamsul Anwar Harahap, who is promoting the bout, told The Jakarta Post here Wednesday. Ahead of his mandatory title defense Sept. 9 at Soemantri Brodjonegoro stadium in Kuningan, South Jakarta, Chris is still three kilograms over his ideal weight of 57.1 kilos. "Chris still has time (to lose the weight) until Sep. 2. After that, any efforts will only cause trouble," Syamsul said. According to Syamsul, a boxer needs at least one week to adapt to a lower weight. Local boxing great Ellyas Pical also warned that Chris might be less fit if he failed to get down to his ideal weight before the fight. "Chris will find it harder to floor his challenger," said the 1985 International Boxing Federation bantam champion. "The impact of being overweight will be huge on the boxer's stamina," he was quoted by Antara. Chris, who has returned home from Perth, Australia, where he was training with coaches Bob Fidonovsky and Benz Cruz, could not immediately be reached for comment. Chris will receive US$125,000 from the fight, while Acosta will get $30,000. Acosta, now ranked 10th in the WBA, and his team are slated to arrive in Jakarta late Thursday. "Aside from the weight issue, we can expect an exciting fight between Chris and Acosta thanks to the fighters' respective strengths," Syamsul said. Chris, he said, is known for being able to both box and fight. "Acosta will find it difficult to read and anticipate Chris' punches and footwork," Syamsul said.
Miami, FL (PRWEB) August 29, 2006 -- PanamaRealEstateNOW.com is pleased to announce its inclusion in the first Panama real estate project launched by the Trump organization. The firm, dedicated to giving online information to consumers regarding the latest and most desirable pre-construction projects in the booming Panama real estate market, has announced its recent inclusion of one the most spectacular developments to date in the world, the Trump Ocean Club. Buyers registering through www.PanamaRealEstateNOW.com will have access to VIP pricing and first choice of units in this landmark oceanfront property. The project was announced by Mr. Donald J. Trump and Mr. Roger Khafif, President, K Group. Trump Ocean Club will be the new benchmark in high-end real estate in Panama. The 1.8 million square foot, $220 million project, will boast a 65-story condominium tower with approximately 300 hotel condominium units and an additional 500 condominium units, an international casino and private beach club on Contadora Island. The Trump Ocean Club will also feature other amenities including a yacht club and pier, world-class wellness spa, state-of-the-art gym, pool deck, full-service meeting and event spaces and a business center.
American citizen Mr. (name removed) was shot and wounded Tuesday night during an attempted robbery at an electronics store on Via Veneto in Panama City. The victim is not really a tourist in the sense that he is a regular visitor to Panama. He has made many trips to Panama and has invested in real estate in Panama. He's from the United States, he was in the country on a tourist visa, and he happened to be in an area of the city that is frequented by tourists so the local media identified him as a "tourist" but in reality he's earned his Panama stripes. On early Tuesday evening he was on his way to a dinner date at La Poste restaurant when he decided to stop in to one of those little electronics shops on Via Veneto that sell parts, pieces, and accessories for cell phones. In a classic case of "being in the wrong place at the wrong time" four young (under 18) armed punks came into the store with the intent to rob the place. At the time there were only two people in the store, the owner and the victim. (more...)
Next month on Tuesday 12 September we visit another of Panama's premier restaurants -- Chef Willy's 1985 -- to hear a presentation by John Wagner, Resident Agent-in-charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Yes, the same NCIS as the TV show. Mr. Wagner's talk will briefly cover what NCIS is and what they do along with some thoughts on the risks of terrorism and security in Panama. We already have 27 reservations and space for 40. $26 per person including a glass of wine. RSVP's are needed by Saturday the 9th of September. Note we are being charged for all dinners so please make a point to show up if you reserve a space. The money we lose takes away from the community outreach programs we support. To make reservations contact either: Hunter N. Schultz hns at biosafepanama.com Dr. Charles Garcia" garciadentist at gmail.com Tel. No. 6618-8877 or respond to Navy.League.Panama at gmail.com Please visit our website: http://navyleague-panama.org/ Regards, Hunter Schultz President Navy League - Panama
Rogelio Arosemena, the lawyer for Mario Leone who appears in the indictments handed down in the Rayo Montaño case, notified the Panama America newspaper in writing that if the paper mentions his client's name in print again he will sue for "insults" (injuria.) Leone's name also appears in the file that as handed down by a Grand Jury in South Florida for laundering money earned through illegal activities. In a letter sent to the Panama America lawyer Rogelio Arosemena requests the supression of all references to his client. Leone appears as a dignitary of the Nautipesca company, which was the main commercial front for drug trafficker Rayo Montaño in Panama. Carlos Vásquez, ex-president of the Panamanian Bar Association said that journalists are aides to justice in that if accusations are true then the community should know about them.
In the first seven months of 2006 the Main Directorate of Customs has collected $225 million dollars. That total represents an increase of more than $100 million dollars compared to the same period of time in 2005. The money collected came from taxes levied against merchandise and imports to Panama. Daniel Delgado Diamante, the Chief of Customs, says that the increase in revenue is due to the incorporation of new and improved applications of technology that are more effective than in the past. He said that as the Customs Directorate celebrates its 27th year of existence he hopes to promote a draft bill that would convert the organization into the National Customs Authority. (Editor's Comment: This is a reflection of a trend toward more strict enforcement of existing tax laws, part of the government's overall plan to improve fiscal responsibility. Expect similar reports from income and property tax collections.)
