|
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 2008
2008 September - December
2008
January - April // May - August
Events & Activities 2007
January - April // May - August // September - December
Events & Activities 2006
January - April // May - August // September - December
Events & Activities 2005
Official Visit of Minister of Commerce and Industry and Administrator and CEO of Panama Canal Authority
On October 29th, 2008, H.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Panama and Ing. Alberto Alemán Zubieta Administrator and CEO, Panama Canal Authority arrived in Tokyo. The primary purpose of their visit was to participate in the ASIA-LAC Trade and Investment Forum organized by the Inter-American Development Bank Office in Asia which was held on October 30-31.
During the forum, the Minister of Commerce and Industry delivered a lecture titled, “The perspectives on the relationship between Asia and Latin America”. Also, the Administrator delivered a lecture about Panama as a Logistic Center of North and South America.
On this occasion, both officials carried out visits to Japanese governmental authorities as well as representatives of the private sector.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Shigeru Ishiba, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries where they referred to the progress in the exchange of phytosanitary information between both countries to achieve an agreement to import Panamanian chicken to Japan. Minister Vergara explained that the Panamanian government is preparing the response to the questions sent by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan and requested the cooperation of Minister Ishiba to facilitate the procedure to reach a phytosanitary agreement. Minister Ishiba agreed to support this endeavor.
Also, the two officials held a meeting with Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to exchange opinions about the relationship between Panama and Japan. Later on, they held a meeting with H.E. Toshihiro Nikai, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to exchange views on commercial matters related to both countries.
In addition, the Minister and Administrator held a meeting with Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Corporation, member of the Advisory Board for the Panama Canal, and Chairman of Committee on Latin America and the Caribbean, Japan Business Federation (Keidanren in Japanese), accompanied with representatives of Keidanren. They exchanged ideas on how to strengthen the commercial relationship between both countries. The Administrator expressed his gratitude to Mr. Sasaki for the cooperation provided by Mitsubishi Corporation to support social projects for the communities around the Panama Canal.
Furthermore, the Minister and the Administrator participated in a lunch offered by Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, Executive Vice-president of Sojitz Corporation, former Ambassador of Japan to Panama who also serves as Secretary General of the Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee, accompanied with the members of the Committee.
Finally, both officials paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Yasuo Hayashi, Chairman of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), where they expressed their gratitude for the support of JETRO in helping Panamanian companies to introduce their products in Japan through the organization of trade fairs and other institutional mechanisms.
Lecture in ASIA-LAC Trade and Investment Forum |
Courtesy visits |
 |
 |
H.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Panama giving a lecture titled “The perspectives on the relationship between Asia and Latin America” |
(From left to right).H.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Yasutoshi NISHIMURA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ing. Alberto Alemán Zubieta, Administrator and CEO, Panama Canal Authority, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan. |
|
|
 |
 |
(From left to right) H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Ing. Alberto Alemán Zubieta, Administrator and CEO, Panama Canal Authority, H.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry, S.E. Toshihiro Nikai, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry |
(From left to right), H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, H.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry ,Mr. Mikio Sasaki, President of Mitsubishi Corporation, Ing. Alberto Alemán Zubieta, Administrator of Panama Canal |
|
Lunch invited by the companies of
Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committe
|
 |
 |
(From left to right). Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, S.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Yasuo Hayashi, Chairman of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Ing. Alberto Alemán Zubieta, Administrator of Panama Canal. |
(In the center, from left to right) H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Ing. Alberto Alemán Zubieta, Administrator of Panama Canal, S.E. Carmen Gisela Vergara, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, Vice-president of Sojitz Corporation, and the members of companies of Panama Japan Cooperation Committee. |
Events Menu
Participation of Panama in Intercultural Event in Osaka
Senri International School and Osaka International School, with the support of the Embassy of Panama in Japan, organized an intercultural event in Osaka on November 15, 2008.
It was an excellent opportunity to promote the Panamanian culture and tourism, offering Panamanian dishes made by Mrs. Luznilda Hayashi, a Panamanian resident in Osaka, whose daughter attends Senri International School.
With the promotional material provided by the Panama Embassy, such as Panamanian music CDs and posters depicting tourist attractions, Mrs. Hayashi presented Panamanian traditions, customs, Indian tribes, culture, ecotourism, world heritage and historical sites.
This event concluded successfully, creating awareness among Okasa residents, especially students, who had the opportunity to know about Panama so that they can feel encouraged to pay a visit in the near future.
 |
Decollation of Posters and Information Pamphlets about Panama |
|
 |
Mrs. Luznilda Hayashi (second from the left side on the first row) and other members who helped selling Panamanian Dishes at the Intercultural Event |
“Arroz con Pollo” made by Mrs. Luznilda Hayashi |
Events Menu
Mola Exposition in Shiga Prefecture
On November 1, 2008, the Republic of Panama participated in the inauguration of a Mola Exposition, organized by Mrs. Fumiko Nakayama, who has been teaching Mola embroidery in Japan for more than 35 years.
The Exhibition was held from November 1 to 30, at Ishiyama Temple in Shiga Prefecture, sponsored by Panama Embassy to Japan, Japanese Public Television NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Shiga Prefectural Government, Asahi News Peper (Asahi Shimbun) and Yomiuri News Paper (Yomiuri Shimbun).
Mr. Juan Antonio Suárez Puga, Consul General of Panama in Kobe, participated in the mentioned Exhibition on behalf of Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, expressing his appreciation to Professor Nakayama for her promotion of Kuna art in Japan.
The Mola Exhibition shows passages of the classical novel of Japanese literature "Genji Monogatari" (Stories of Genji) which was written in the Heian Period, at the beginning of 11th Century.
It is important to mention that the Mola Exhibition reflects the artistic depth of Professor Nakayama, who seeks to encourage the fusion of Panamanian and Japanese Culture.
 |
 |
Inauguration of Mola Exhibition by Prof. Nakayama at Ishiyama Temple
From left side, Prof. Fumiko Nakayama, Mr. Juan Antonio Suárez Puga, Consul General of Panamá in Kobe, and Chef Priest of Ishiyama Temple |
Inauguration of Mola Exhibition by Prof. Nakayama at Ishiyama Temple
From left side, Prof. Fumiko Nakayama, Mr. Juan Antonio Suárez Puga, Consul General of Panamá in Kobe, and Chef Priest of Ishiyama Temple |
Events Menu
CAFE DE PANAMA in SCAJ2008
From October 15th to 17th, 2008, with the joint collaboration of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama (MICI, in Spanish), Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA, in Spanish), and this Diplomatic Mission, the National Association of Coffee Processors and Exporters - PANAMA (Asociación Nacional de Beneficiadores y Exportadores de Café de Panamá –ANBEC-, in Spanish) participated as exhibitor at the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition 2008, which took place at Tokyo Big Sight. The event is organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), and was attended by 20,520 persons during three days.
During the event, the Panamanian delegation exhibited coffee products and carried out in-booth coffee tasting, manufactured with state-of-the-art technology and high quality standards. The Panamanian delegation of coffee growers was comprised of 6 organizations, namely, Association of Exportable Crops Producers (A.P.C.E., in Spanish), Beneficios de Café de Boquete, S.A., Casa Ruiz, S.A., Francisco Serracín Cafetaleros, S.A. (Don Pachi Estate), Finca Lérida and Santamaría Estate.
During the event, ANBEC representatives delivered a presentation in an open seminar on Panamanian Specialty Coffee, focused on Gescha, Typica and Catuai (washed, honey, and natural) produced in the coffee farms mentioned above. The audience was comprised by Japanese roasters and coffee importers, who showed a particular interest in the historic and technical aspects of the production of Gescha coffee, as well as in the sophistication of the Panamanian coffee and its flexibility.
The Republic of Panama participated successfully in SCAJ2008, attracting the attention of a great number of visitors to our booth. The Panamanian coffee growers delegation presented gifts to important personalities from the Japanese coffee sector and government, including Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, SCAJ President and President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., the largest importer of coffee in Japan, Mr. Satoru Wakabayashi, Vice-President and Chairperson of the Committee of Exhibition and Conference of SCAJ, Mr. Sadanori Kishino, SCAJ Vice-President, Mr. Mamoru Taguchi, SCAJ Director and Chairman of SCAJ Training Committee, and Mr. Satoru Sato, Director-General of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Likewise, as part of our commercial promotion strategy, which ties up cultural background to commercial promotion, this Diplomatic Mission and SCAJ Secretariat jointed efforts to have Panamanian musical performances during the SCAJ 2008 Welcome Party. On this occasion, the audience was delighted by the rhythm of “La Murga de Panama”, and dance performance with Panamanian salsa songs, which were carried out by professional dancers.
SCAJ 2008 was an important platform to promote the Panamanian Specialty Coffee, which is highly appreciated in Japan. Moreover, this event provided an excellent opportunity to deepen ties between the Panamanian coffee growers and Japanese coffee business people.
 |
 |
From left to right, Mr. Gonzalo Cambefort, Director General of the Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA), Mr. Francisco Serracín from Don Pachi Estate, Mr. Wálter Castro, Chief of Trade Missions and Fairs of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI), H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama, Ms. María Gabriela Contreras, Commercial Promoter of IMA, Mr. Carlos Arosemena King, General Director of Exports Promotion of MICI, Mr. John Collins from Finca Lérida, and Mr. Ritter N. Díaz, Commercial Attache of the Embassy of Panama. |
From left to right, Mr. John Collins and Zoraida Borace from Finca Lérida, Dr. María Elisa Ruiz from Casa Ruiz, S.A., Mr. Edwin Santamaría from Santamaría Estate, Mr. Norberto Suárez from Beneficios de Café de Boquete, S.A., Mr. Wálter Castro, Chief of Trade Missions and Fairs of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI), Mr. Francisco Serracín from Don Pachi Estate, and Mr. Adaías Gonzales de A.P.C.E. |
 |
 |
H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan (center), with Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, SCAJ President and President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., (left corner), Mr. Mark Inman, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) (right corner), Mr. Colin Smith, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) (second from left) and Ambassadors from other coffee producing countries that participated in SCAJ 2008. |
From right to left, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, SCAJ President and President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., Mr. Norberto Suárez, President of National Association of Coffee Processors and Exporters - PANAMA (ANBEC, in Spanish), and Mr. Adaías Gonzales, President of Association of Exportable Crops Producers (A.P.C.E., in Spanish). |
Events Menu
Visit to Japan of the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama
H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, attended a luncheon in the occasion of the visit to Japan by José Ramón Varela, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Agriculture of Panama from Sep. 28th to Oct. 5th, invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The luncheon was hosted by the Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee, where Ambassador Martiz holds the position of Honorary Chairman. The said Committee is comprised of more than 60 prestigious Japanese companies already established in Panama.
During his visit, Mr. Varela held meetings with officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Mr. Varela also paid courtesy visits to the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren, in Japanese), Japan bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and also met important private sector representatives. He also took the opportunity to observe the Japanese mass transportation system with the purpose of exploring similar alternatives for Panama.
The visit of the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Agriculture of Panama reaffirms our will to promote Panama as a regional business platform, and to explore economic cooperation mechanisms with Japan, the second largest economy of the world.
 |
 |
H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan (center), Mr. José Ramón Varela Cambra, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Agriculture of Panama (right), and Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, Director & Senior Managing Executive Officer of Sojitz Corporation and former Ambassador of Japan to Panama (left), who performs as Secretary General of the Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee. |
H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan (center), Mr. José Ramón Varela Cambra, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Agriculture of Panama (right), and Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, Director & Senior Managing Executive Officer of Sojitz Corporation and former Ambassador of Japan to Panama (left), with the members of the Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee. |
Events Menu
Courtesy Visit of the METI Latin America Office Director
On September 24th, 2008, Mr. Eiichi Honma, recently appointed Director of the Latin America Office of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, with the purpose of exchanging views about commercial ties between Japan and Panama.
During the meeting, both parties underlined the importance of the bilateral commercial ties, while reaffirming the will to boost investment and trade of agricultural products, as well as to increase cooperation, in order to advance projects and initiatives that will benefit both countries.
During the meeting, they referred to the conditions that make Panama a financial and commercial platform as well as an energy hub for the region, which has attracted the interest of the Japanese private sector. In this connection, high-ranking executives of Japanese companies have visited Panama. Also, Japanese firms are participating in the Panama Canal Expansion Program, and several Japanese companies have set up in Panama their regional branches.
Likewise, they discussed initiatives to improve the public transportation system in Panama City, procedures aimed at an Open Sky Treaty to establish direct flight connections between both countries, and an initiative to carry out cultural promotion of Japan from Panama, taking advantage of its regional platform.
Several mechanisms have been developed to ease the penetration of the Japanese companies into Panama, such as the creation of the Panama Japan Business Committee in 2006, which is comprised of more than 60 prestigious Japanese companies that are already established in Panama. Ambassador Martiz is the Honorary President of the said Committee.
Moreover, it was mentioned that Panama offers important fiscal, labor and migration-related incentives in various special areas, such as the Colon Free Zone, Howard, City of Knowledge, International Financial Center, among others, which can provide advantages for Japanese firms.
Finally, both parties reiterated the mutual interest to deepen economic ties and increase investment in Panama, which is a business hub for the Latin-American region.
Events Menu
Panamanian participated in City Planning Course offered by JICA
On October 16th, 2008, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, received a courtesy visit by Architect Milagro VASQUEZ, Official of Urban Planning Department of the Municipality of Panama.
Architect Milagro VASQUEZ participated in a training course offered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from August 26 to October 17, 2008, which took place at JICA International Training Center, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.
The Comprehensive City Planning Course aims to analyze the urban development programs of Japan regarding city planning with the purpose of comparing and designing a scheme to resolve the problems of urban development, faced by participating countries. 14 persons from Panama, Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Colombia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Zambia, participated in the training course.
Architect Milagro VASQUEZ completed successfully her respective program, gaining further knowledge on the Japanese system and methods, which will lead to strengthen the cooperation ties between Panama and Japan.
 |
 |
From left, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan and Architect Milagro VASQUEZ, Official of Urban Planning Department of the Municipality of Panama
|
Architect Milagro VASQUEZ (second from the left side on the sitting row) with other participants of the Comprehensive City Planning Course and JICA members |
Events Menu
Panama participates in JATA World Tourism Fair for 4th year in a row
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP, in Spanish), with the assistance of the Embassy of Panama to Japan, participated in JATA World Fair, presenting its new slogan, “PANAMA, it will never leave you”. The said event was organized by the Association of Travel Agents of Japan (JATA, in English), and took place at Tokyo Big Sight from September 19th to 21st, 2008.
The Panamanian Pavilion carried out a display of banners with images of Panama City, beaches, Pollera – Panamanian traditional costume – folklore, indigenous groups, and nature. In addition, the ATP showed videos of traditional dances performed by the Folklore dance group of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP, in Spanish).
During the event, our pavilion distributed maps of the country and DVDs with various attractions, as well as brochures in English, which were provided by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP). Likewise, we distributed brochures in Japanese to visitors, elaborated by this Diplomatic Mission, about general information of the country, indigenous groups, ecotourism, world heritage and historical sites, as well as shopping, cruisers and a one-week sightseeing plan in Panama, prepared by the Tourism Promotion section of this Diplomatic Mission.
The colorful and attractive design of the Panamanian Pavilion caught powerfully the attention of visitors.
It is important to mention that the said event is the largest tourism fair in Asia, where tour operators, airlines and hotels from around 134 countries participated, with more than 968 exhibition booths. This year roughly 110,000 visitors attended the three-day event, including representatives of tourism and media sectors.
Needless to say, JATA World Tourism Congress & Travel Fair provides Panama an excellent opportunity to introduce its tourists spots directly to the Association of Travel Agents of Japan (JATA), which is composed of major Japanese tourism operators. The participation of the Republic of Panama for 4 years in a row shows the continuous efforts carried out by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) and this Diplomatic Mission in order to increase awareness of Panama’s attractions in Japan.
 |
 |
H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama in Japan, and his wife, Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz, at the Panamanian Pavilion. |
Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz, Ambassador’s Wife, and girls dressed with Panamanian traditional costume “Pollera” and with the costume of the indigenous group Ngobe Buglé, at the Panamanian Pavilion. |
 |
Japanese visitors to our pavilion appreciates the various attractions of our country. |
Events Menu
|
