2006
'+ (4 – 7 February, 2007) Panama Maritime VIII – World Conference & Exhibition comming
'+ (November 28th, 2006)Government of Panama thanks the Government of Japan for assistance over flood disasters in Panama
'+ (October 22nd, 2006) Referendum on the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal Approved
'+ (Aug. 18th, 2006) Howard Runway set up as International Airport
'+ (July 18th, 2006) Press Release: H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, to Make an Official Working Visit to Japan
'+ (Jun. 1st, 2006) United Nations Offices in Panama 
'+ (May 30th, 2006) Panamanian Coffee set a record in international coffee auctions 
'+ (May, 2006) Public Invitation for the International Public Tender on the Megaport Project
'+ (April 24th, 2006) President Torrijos speech on the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal 
'+ (April 9th, 2006) Panamanian Coffee won first place at major competitions
'+ (Jan. 17th, 2006) "New Perspectives on the Relations between Latin America and Japan" Roundtable - Tsukuba University
'+ (Jan. 15th, 2006) XV World Basketball Championship Draw
2005
'+ (Sep.23-28th,2005) The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama visited Japan
'+ (Sep.14th,2005) Coiba National Park - World Heritage acknowledged by UNECO
'+ (Feb.2nd,2005) Fiscal Reform Law Passed
2004
'+ (Oct.27th,2004) Constitution Reforms Passed
'+ (Oct.19th,2004) Designation of Secretary of the National Council for Transparency against Corruption
'+ (Sep.1st,2004) Inauguration of H.E.Martin Torrijos Espino as President of the Republic of Panama

 

2006

(4 – 7 February, 2007) Panama Maritime VIII – World Conference & Exhibition comming

The Panama Maritime Authority is pleased to announce that the “Panama Maritime VIII – World Conference & Exhibition” will be held from February 4th to 7th, 2007 in Panama City.

Since 1991, the event takes place every two years in Panama City and it covers regulations, laws and commercial issues related to the maritime industry. It brings together top people in the maritime industry and related businesses to discuss and find solutions to the most relevant issues affecting the industry worldwide. The event also provides a perfect venue for establishing and promoting professional and business contacts amongst individuals and organizations linked to the maritime cluster, as well as for exhibiting maritime related products and services.

On this year, Panama Maritime VIII will include issues such as Corporate Social Responsibility in Shipping, Review of Port State Control, Merchant Marine Incentive Law and Its Effects on Merchant Marine, the New Maritime Code of Panama, Business Opportunities in the Panamanian Maritime Sector, Training and Employment of Seafarers, Ship Emission Controls, Oil Pollution, and so forth.

For further information, please contact organizers or visit the events’ website:
E-mail: info@panamamaritimeVIII.com
Tel / Fax: (507) 302-2965
Website: http://www.panamamaritimeviii.com/

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(November 28th, 2006)Government of Panama thanks the Government of Japan for assistance over flood disasters in Panama

In a letter addressed to H.E. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, on behalf of the Government of Panama, expressed his deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan for the emergency assistance provided on November 27, 2007 to the Panamanian people affected by severe floods caused by sustained torrential rain. The Government of Japan provided emergency assistance in kind (electric generators, water purifiers, tents and mattresses) worth about 10 million yen (approx. US$ 89,200).

Ambassador Martiz pointed out that once again, Japan shows its solidarity with the Panamanian people, alleviating the suffering of many families and individuals. Needless to mention, this noble gesture of the Japanese Government continues to strengthen the good cooperation spirit which exists between Japan the Republic of Panama.

Major flooding was caused in the provinces of Coclé and Colón, and in the western part of Panama province by four successive days of torrential rain, causing landslides, blocked roads and washed away bridges, and leaving 11 dead, 4,530 victims and 1,290 displaced people as of November 29th, 2006.

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(October 22nd, 2006) Referendum on the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal Approved

Through a national referendum held on October 22nd, 2006 on the Panama Canal Expansion, the project was approved by near 78% of the voters, while more than 22% voted against it, according to preliminary figures provided by the Electoral Tribunal of Panama.

The construction process will start in 2007, and will finish in 2014. The building of a third set of locks will cost approximately US$ 5,250 million, which will be carried out by the Panama Canal Authority

Source: Tribunal Electoral (ESP / ENG)

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(Aug. 18th, 2006) Howard Runway set up as International Airport

After seven years since the reversion of the U.S. military areas to Panama, the runway of the former U.S. military Howard base was reclassified as Alternate International Airport for military and commercial flights landings, becoming the second international airport in Panama, after Tocumen. The said runway is 2,591 meter-long and Howard is currently managed by the Panama-Pacifico Special Economic Area Agency (AAEEPP, in Spanish).

Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd., the biggest company of aircrafts maintenance, has received a 20-year renewable concession to establish a regional center for maintenance, and repair of aircraft in Howard. The company will invest US$ 10 million in infrastructure to set up hangars and other ancillary facilities.

Panama Aerospace Engineering, the subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd., will launch activities in April 2007. In the first stage, the subsidiary will create 1,000 jobs for Panamanian people for the first ten years; while in the second stage, it is expected to have a minimum investment of US$ 30 million in the construction of new facilities for larger aircrafts.

Indeed, the commercial agreement between Panama-Pacifico Special Economic Area Agency (AAEEPP) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd. is the result of a Free Trade Agreement signed by both countries, with the purpose of creating a strategic alliance.

Source: www.prensa.com  (Aug. 18th – 19th, 2006)

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(July 18th, 2006) Press Release: H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, to Make an Official Working Visit to Japan

H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs

of the Republic of Panama, to Make an Official Working Visit to Japan  

H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, H.E. Manuel Jose Paredes A., the Panama Vice Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Panama, and Mr. Manuel Benitez, Acting Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, will come to Tokyo from July 17 to July 20, in order to inform about investment and business opportunities in Panama as well as the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal among the Japanese business community.  During their stay, official working visits to H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and H.E. Mr. Kazuo Kitagawa, Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transportation as well as courtesy visits to Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of Committee on Latin America, Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, President of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) are also planned.  

Today, Panama has planned multiple large projects as a part of the Panama development program. Especially, plans of the Panama Canal Expansion and a Megaport at the Pacific entrance are crucial to the success to become a center of world trade and marine transport. Japan is the third largest user of the canal, one of the main exporters to Panama and an important user of the Panama Maritime Registry. In its role as an energy hub, Panama will expand oil-refining facilities and act as a pipeline between oil-producing nations, such as Venezuela and Colombia, and the Asian Pacific region and North America.  

When the Megaport project is actualized, it will allow further increase traffic and efficiency as well as double Panama’s capacity to move containers from 2.4 to 5.0 million TEUs a year (each TEU is 20-feet container). The Megaport is expected to impact favorably on the domestic and international economies.  The Panama Canal Expansion Project, which will cost $5.25 billion, will be completed by 2014 if approved by referendum in the end of this year.  It will contribute to restructure the world trade system by enabling the passage of larger ships, and speeding up the transit of Panamax vessels. According to the Panama Canal Authority, the expansion will not interrupt current operations since all construction sites are outside of existing navigational channels and operating areas.   

Since the handover of the Canal from the United States to Panama in the end of Year 1999, the Panama Canal Authority has shifted to its operations from a not-for-profit utility to a market oriented business model, which is focused on customer service and reliability.  Under its management, there has been a significant reduction in the time it takes to transit the Canal, an increase in tonnage transiting the waterway and a spike in transits of Panamax-size vessels.The visit is expected to increase further understanding about Panama, the sea transportation industry and energy development among the Japanese business community.   

The details could be found Panama Embassy. http://www.embassyofpanamainjapan.org/　

(Panama Canal Expansion Proposal could be found at “Panama Canal” Section, energy Hub Plan could be found at “Economy” Section, then click on “Investment Opportunities”)

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(Jun. 1st, 2006) United Nations Offices in Panama 

H.E. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice-President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama, informed that several regional offices of the United Nations in Latin America and the Caribbean will be relocated in the City of Knowledge in Panama. The establishment of United Nations branches in Panama will turn the country into the first regional center of the United Nations, generating jobs and boosting the economy.

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(May 30th, 2006) Panamanian Coffee set a record in international coffee auctions 

Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Geisha coffee set a historic record in international coffee auctions, by obtaining US$ 50.25 per pound in the most important coffee event in Panama, the Best of Panama 2006, which was organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama. 

Carmen Estate and Bambito, in second and third place, also obtained high prices above US$ 14 and and US$ 10 per pound, respectively. Auction average price was higher than US$ 6 per pound, and the total amount paid surpassed US$ 140,000. 

Eight Japanese roasters such as Wataru & Co. Ltd. and Katocoffee Inc. were important buyers, acquiring more than 16 lots of Panamanian Specialty Coffee.

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(May, 2006) Public Invitation for the International Public Tender on the Megaport Project

Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has released the public invitation to tender administrative concession pre-qualification for the International Public Tender No LPI 001 2006/05/26.

It is an invitation for submitting application to pre-qualify for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management and Maintenance of the Container Terminal located at the area of Farfan / Palo Seco, on the Panamanian Pacific. Download document

Source: Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) (ENG / ESP)

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(April 24th, 2006) President Torrijos speech on the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal 

President Martin Torrijos delivered a speech on the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal through the construction of a third set of locks. The objective of the project is to increase the Panama Canal capacity, as the sustained increase in international trade and the consequent growth in demand for transits through the Canal, presents the waterway with new challenges and opportunities. 

President Torrijos pointed out that information regarding the said project has been disclosed, so Panamanian people can have a deep understanding of the proposal and will be able to make a well-informed decision in the referendum on the Panama Canal Expansion, which will be probably held at the end of 2006. 

In case of Panamanian people approve the expansion, the construction process will be started in 2007, and will be finished in 2014. 

The construction of the third set of locks will cost approximately US$ 5,250 million, will be legally separated from Government financing and will be self-financeable by the Panama Canal users, through a gradually toll rise of 3.5% average rate for 20 years. 

The project is environmentally viable. It has been found that all possible adverse environmental impacts may be mitigated through existing procedures and technology and no immitigable or permanent adverse impacts on the population or the environment are envisioned. 

For further information regarding the Panama Canal Expansion Project, click here.

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(April 9th, 2006) Panamanian Coffee won first place at major competitions

Panamanian Coffee won first place at major Specialty Coffee competitions in USA

Panamanian Specialty Coffee won the first place in international cupping events in the United States.

Panamanian coffee participated in international cupping events such as "Cupping Pavilion 2006", which was organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), and the Rainforest Alliance cupping event.

Panama won the first place in both cupping competitions, and also took the fourth place in the Cupping Pavilion 2006, which had 8,000 visitors including producers, buyers and coffee-related tasting experts. Panama presented five samples, out of 10 samples from Central America Region.

In the Rainforest Alliance Cupping event, one of the most exclusive coffee competitions in the world, Panama won the first place for three years straight, and also took the second and seventh place.

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(Jan. 17th, 2006) "New Perspectives on the Relations between Latin America and Japan" Roundtable - Tsukuba University

H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz participated in the roundtable titled "New Perspectives on the Relations between Latin America and Japan", organized by Tsukuba University, in Ibaraki Prefecture.

At the roundtable, several Head of Mission from Latin America as well as academician with knowledge in themes related to Latin America and Japan, exchanged points of view about future relations between both regions.

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(Jan. 15th, 2006) XV World Basketball Championship Draw

In representation of the Panamanian Basketball Federation, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, participated in the XV World Basketball Championship Draw held in Tokyo.

This year the Republic of Panama will be participating in the Basketball Championship, which will be carried out in several cities of Japan from August 19th to September 3rd, 2006.

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2005

(Sep.23-28th, 2005) The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama visited Japan

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama, Mr. August Simons, visited Japan on September 23-28, 2005, with the purpose of promoting the XXIV International Commercial Exhibition 2006 (Expocomer in Spanish), which will take place on March 8-12, 2006. During his visit, Mr. Simons met with Mr. Yoshitada Takahashi, Executive Vice-president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Mr. Shoichi Ito, Director of the Office for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Masashi Oshita, Manager of International Cooperation of the Japan Federation of Business (Keidanren), Mr. Hideaki Kondo, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Japan and Mr. Saburo Yamaguchi, Director the Regional Department III of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

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(Sep.14th, 2005) Coiba National Park - World Heritage acknowledged by UNESCO

On July 14th, 2005, UNESCO acknowledged Coiba National Park as World Heritage During a meeting hold in Durban, South Africa.

Coiba National Park is located in the Pacific side of the Veraguas Province. It has 270,125 hectares (53,528 ha. land area, 216,543 ha. sea area), and is one of the biggest protected sea area in the world.

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(Feb.2nd, 2005) Fiscal Reform Law Passed

On February 2 nd , 2005, President Martín Torrijos Espino signed the Fiscal Reform Law, which assures equity in the tax system, and will also allow the country to control governmental expenditures properly, thus enhancing the saving capacity of the government.

President Martín Torrijos remarked that the significance of this reform is that individuals and companies will share the tax burden, providing fairness in the tax system.

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2004

(Oct.27th, 2004) Constitution Reforms Passed

On October 27 th , 2004 , the Congress of the Republic of Panama passed 67 reforms to the Constitution, sponsored by President Martin Torrijos. The reviews are as follows:
Review of the Art. 308. Introduction of a Constituent Assembly (60 members) which will operate as a parallel method to modify the Constitution

  • Elimination of the Art. 149. Elimination of immunity for Panamanian lawmakers
  • Establishment of 71 members to the House of Representatives, as a fixed number, no matter the voters population increase or not
  • Suppression of the Second Vice-Presidency of the Republic, and elimination of the position of Second Deputy Lawmaker
  • Modification of the Art. 319. All contracts and agreements about a new canal, must be approved by the Congress and then, submitted to vote at a nationwide referendum
  • Other important reforms are as follows: central government decentralization, Creation of the Tribunal of Accounts, and a new role of the Supreme Court, through which it will be able to investigate and prosecute lawmakers
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(Oct.19th, 2004) Designation of Secretary of the National Council for Transparency against Corruption

As a part of the Anti-corruption Plan, The President of the Republic of Panama, Martín Torrijos, announced the designation of Cristóbal Arboleda (former prosecutor) as Secretary of the National Council for Transparency against Corruption, which is a consultative institution to the Office of the President.

The tasks of the Council are as follows:

  1. Pass the Uniform Code of Ethics, applicable to all public employees, to monitor issues such as conflicts of interests, nepotism and integrity
  2. Prepare an Ethics Training Program to instill the public service vocation to public servants
  3. National Transparency Promotion Program, addressed to every sector of society

Torrijos' Anti-corruption Program also includes:

  1. Reform of the Law of Biddings
  2. Approval of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption
  3. Modernization of the Office of the General Comptroller of Panama
  4. "Panama Digital" Program, to disclose public information concerning the budget, biddings, and purchases of all government institution

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(Sep.1st, 2004) Inauguration of H.E.Martin Torrijos Espino as President of the Republic of Panama

On September 1, 2004, Mr. Martín Torrijos Espino was inaugurated as the new President of the Republic of Panama for a five-year term.



EMBASSY OF PANAMA IN JAPAN COPYRIGHT© 2006 GEODREAMS