Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
New Princess route: Los Angeles to Panama and back
Panama’s reputation as a cruise destination has been around for a long time, but not at the volume that many other Caribbean ports get. This is changing these days, and Princess Cruises is the latest to jump on board the trend. This month, Princess announced a new route that would take cruisers from Los Angeles to Panama and back, with stops in the Canal Zone where tourists can debark.
The Island Princess in late 2016 and early 2017 also will offer a number of one-way, 15-day Panama Canal voyages between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, as it has in been doing during winters in recent years. The trips will feature a two-day Canal experience that combines a Canal transit with a day at Fuerte Amador, where passengers either can tour Panama City and visit the surrounding rain forests, or tour the Canal’s Gatun Locks.
Two other Princess ships, the Coral Princess and Pacific Princess, also will offer Panama Canal cruises over the winter of 2016-2017, the line said on Friday.
The new sailings will open for booking on May 21.
Source: USA Today
Panama is Officially in the Diamond Industry
Diamonds are big business, especially in the import/export market, and now Panama is buying in. Panama has just inaugurated its first Diamond Exchange, and diamond traders are chomping at the bit to get a part of the action. Here’s why:
Latin America is a growing market for exporters of diamonds and precious stones. With new headquarters in Panama of the Diamond Exchange, all the heads of the jewelry industry, diamond and precious stones, gathered at an important event known as the Latin American Week Of Diamond and Jewelry. The event brought together over 350 buyers from 17 countries in the region, with members of the Panama Diamond Exchange and exporting members of India, Belgium and Israel.
According to information published by Capital Financiero website, the opening ceremony was attended by President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela and industry leaders worldwide. Varela reiterated the government’s willingness to contribute to the World Jewerly Hub and PDE develop, in compliance with international standards of the Kimberly Process and the highest standards in the field.
Source: GoGetIt Panama
Panama Canal installs last lock gate in critical step toward completion of expansion
The work on the new Panama Canal expansion is nearing its end, as one of the most critical pieces was installed just over a week ago. The final set of lock gates have been installed, leaving the Canal nearly structurally complete. The framework is set, and all it’s missing are the final touches before its inauguration in the next year.
Tuesday’s installation of the 4,232-ton gate at the Pacific Ocean entrance to the waterway means the most critical phase of the expansion can start in coming weeks: the flooding of the locks. Panama in 2006 decided to build a wider canal to accommodate vessels capable of carrying 2.5 times the number of containers held by ships currently using the canal.
The expansion has been beset by a nasty battle over cost overruns with European builders and delays that have pushed back its expected opening by a year to April 2016.
Source: Star Tribune
Panama and Barbados strengthen cultural ties
The Prime Minister of Barbados was recently in Panama to meet with local government officials, and take an official tour of Panama’s Afro-Caribbean Museum. The Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, toured the museum with the director of Panama’s National Institute of Culture (INAC), and praised the country’s efforts in preserving their shared history.
Prime Minister Stuart expressed his excitement at seeing the museum’s displays about Caribbean history, and especially those pertaining to his country, Barbados. “This museum is very important for the descendants of West Indians and Barbadian residents living in this country, since it allows them to learn about where they came from,” said Stuart.
The museum is located on Calle 24 Este and Avenida Justo Arosemena in Calidonia. Opening hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults.
Source: The Visitor
