Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! This week, Panama and Colombia come to terms over tax status. The Biomuseo gets some great press. Panama is on the map for runners. And Panama takes drastic measures to prevent Ebola. Here’s the latest.
Biomuseo Showcases Panama’s Ecological Diversity
The new Biomuseo has been open for just a few weeks, but already it has garnered some great international press. The museum, which was designed by Frank Gehry, had been delayed in its initial opening, but is now running on full steam, and building on its reputation as a tourist destination. It’s also helping to build the cultural and ecological credence of Panama for foreigners, who typically visit the Central American nation for adventure tourism, rather than museums.
As the junction between two continents, Panama allowed animals from the north to move south and evolve for a new climate, and southern animals to do the reverse. As a barrier between the Atlantic and the Pacific, Panama changed wind patterns, water currents, salinity and other factors affecting climate, causing the regions and the wildlife touched by the oceans to evolve in different ecological directions.
Panama, the Biomuseo proclaims, became a “bridge of life” (the title of its permanent exhibition) and a fountain of biodiversity. Just a bit bigger than Ireland, it has more species of birds, amphibians and animals (if insects are included) than the United States and Canada combined, according to George R. Angehr, a research associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.
Source: The New York Times
Panama Bars Travelers From Three Ebola-hit African Countries
Global concerns over Ebola have been on high alert recently, and Panama is now taking preventive measures to help quell fears, and prevent the disease from entering the nation. Earlier this past week, Panama announced specific travel bans for people coming from, or passing through, a number of countries in West Africa. And despite a lively debate on whether or not this will work, the government is committed to keeping the disease out of the country, and the citizens protected.
The ban applies to anyone traveling from the three countries or people entering Panama who had been there during the last 21 days, the ministry said in a statement. Panama is a major hub for travel and commerce in Latin America and has so far not registered any cases of Ebola. The travel ban would be maintained until the three countries were declared free of the virus, the government said.
Source: Reuters
Panama is Considered as an Important Destination for Runners
Panama is a sports city, and running is one of its biggest draws. Local runners populate city parks, roads, and especially the Cinta Costera, which goes along the coast of the downtown area and is car-free. But did you know that Panama is building its reputation as a running destination?
Since the year began until December, Panama is chosen as the place for runs, walks and marathons. This attracts many tourists to participate in these important competitions. Most races and marathons are carried out in different parts of the city such as la Cinta Costera, Costa del Este, Albrook Gamboa, among others.
According to information published by the news portal The Visitor, on Sunday September 28 the “2nd International Marathon of the Americas” brought attention to Panama as a destination for lovers of these sport, since more than 500 runners took part in the career that spanned about 42,195 miles. October took a number of races that offer a variety of formats and locations ideal for experienced runners and beginners.
Source: GoGetIt Panama
Panama and Colombia to Negotiate Tax Information-Sharing Deal
After a few tense weeks, the tension between Panama and Colombia over taxes seems to be cooling off; for now. This past week, Panama and Colombia agreed to negotiate a new tax information-sharing deal, to create an amicable transparency between the two nations over financial disclosure, and tax status’. Previously, a rift was created when Colombia put Panama on a “tax haven” list, which would have resulted in increased taxes on Colombians who invest or hold their money in Panama.
The move could have pushed Colombian investors out of Panama, as assets in declared havens are taxed at three times the rate of foreign assets in countries that share data with Colombia.
“We were signing the decree through which we will remove Panama from the list of tax havens, after they sign a memorandum of understanding where they commit to a date by which to negotiate a deal,” President Juan Manuel Santos said at an event late on Tuesday. “It’s what we wanted from the start,” Santos said. “It’s good news for everyone.” The two countries will negotiate the terms of their information-sharing and ink a deal on taxation, as well as cooperation on fighting money laundering, the Colombian finance ministry said.
Source: Reuters
