Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup. Panama plans 1 million hectare reforestation, Turkey opens flights, and the Global Entry program is set to ease problems at customs, and more. Here’s the latest:
Panama, US to start Global Entry Passport Programs on July 15th
With so much commercial air traffic between Panama and the United States, it’s no surprise that the countries have agreed to expedite the customs process with new technology. The technology, in this case, is the Global Pass program, which allows registered users to skip the customs line and use automated machines while entering and exiting the country.
“With the agreement between both nations, [travelers] will be admitted into the country without filling out forms, and this will speed up the process,” Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli said during a ceremony at Tocumen International Airport, where the agreement was announced.
Global Entry allows Panamanians who comply with requirements to register to enter the U.S. in an expedited manner. The program is aimed at frequent travelers considered “low risk” and who show no interest in immigrating to the U.S. without documents. It allows these travelers to avoid long immigration lines and instead use electronic kiosks installed at airports.
Source: Tico Times
1 Million Hectare Reforestation Project Planned for Panama.
A massive reforestation project is in the works for Panama, in an effort to conserve, and reforest roughly 1 million hectares (2.47 acres) of land. The project will take around 20 years, but the expected results are priceless, with the end goal being reduced carbon emissions, and climate stability.
Establishing a precedent-setting alliance, ANCON (Panama’s Association for the Conservation of Nature), the Panama Association for Reforestation (ANARAP), and the Panama Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture (CCIAP) on June 17 announced a sweeping project that envisions forestation or reforestation of 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres) of land.
Dubbed the “Alliance for 1 Million,” the 20-year forestation project has three main goals: strengthen sustainable development of Panama’s forestry sector; help realize the goals elaborated in Panama’s National Forestry Plan; and help Panama meets its pledge to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by capturing as much as 7 million metric tons of CO2 per year.
Source: Triple Pundit
Turkey Will Have Direct Flights to Panama
Another week, another new Panama flight announced. This time, it’s Turkish Airlines, and they are planning a non-stop flight from Istanbul to Panama, starting within the next year. This is just the latest in a flurry of Panama direct flights, to cities such as Montreal, Amsterdam, Singapore, New York, and Madrid.
According to information published by the website Panama America, June will be a month of heavy traffic in Tocumen International Airport with the arrival of new flights and increased frequencies of some airlines, mainly to Europe. Iberia increases to six weekly frequencies direct flight between Madrid and Panama City this month.
On the other hand, the Panamanian president, Ricardo Martinelli, announced that it has already been approved open skies with Turkey and Turkish Airlines will soon come to Panama. For the month of July, the Portuguese airline TAP has announced that from day 2, will arrive in Panama the first direct flight from Lisbon with three weekly flights. Lufthansa announced plans to begin operating a direct flight between the German city of Dusseldorf and the Isthmus.
Source: GoGetIt Panama
John Kerry to Lead US Delegation to Panama Presidential Inauguration
Panama will be signing in their new president on July 1st, and many of the world’s leaders will be present. With strong ties to Panama, the United States will be one of them, sending US Secretary of State John Kerry with a coalition to congratulate the new president and be present at inauguration ceremonies.
Other Members of the Presidential Delegation are:
- The Honorable Jonathan D. Farrar, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Department of State
- The Honorable Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- The Honorable Roberta S. Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
Source: Latin American Herald Tribune
