Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
“Rolo” De Sedas giving Panama’s gray streets splashes of color
A local artist in Panama is making an impact by giving everyday people the access to art, color, and expression. This is something that is sorely lacking in much of Panama City, and something that’s not going unnoticed.
“Rolo” says that he always seeks to make his work accessible and to adapt it to urban spaces so that people who cannot go to a gallery may have the opportunity to contemplate his original – and colorful – efforts.
“My painting is not only done on canvas, but I take it from the context of the easel and bring it to the street, grottoes, murals, walkways, signs, and I even imprint it upon utilitarian (items) like towels,” he told EFE while perched on scaffolding working on his next mural in downtown Panama City.
Source: Fox News Latino
Fitch Affirms Autoridad del Canal de Panama’s Ratings at ‘A’; Outlook Stable
This week, Fitch announced a very favorable credit rating for the Panama Canal Authority, giving it an ‘A’, confirming stability for one of Panama’s most powerful entities.
The ratings reflect ACP’s solid revenue profile and low leverage levels. The Panama Canal offers unique connectivity to world maritime trade. Its resilience to economic downturns, solid competitive position supported by the canal’s capacity post-expansion, and diversified revenue sources coupled with its robust toll-setting ability constitute strong rating drivers. Maximum projected net leverage at 1.5x in Fitch’s rating case is considered low according to applicable criteria for its rating category. The strategic importance of ACP and the legal framework that provides the entity with autonomy allow for the credit to be rated higher than Panama’s Sovereign rating, but is capped at three notches above it. ACP does not have direct peers, but compares favorably with other rated large intermodal transportation entities.
Source: Business Wire
Looking to catch some great live music while in Panama? Look no further!
Panama is full of great music, and full of great venues to enjoy it in. In fact, more and more, Panama’s venues are catering to unique local music, and an ambiance that is world class, for both locals and visitors.
Danilo’s Jazz Club
From Wednesday – Saturday stop by the classy Danilo’s Jazz Club next to the American Trade Hotel and immerse yourself in the soulful sound of jazz. Concerts normally start at 9pm with a $15 entrance fee.
Las Bovedas
This former 16th century prison is Casco Viejo is now home to a gourmet restaurant and jazz bar. You head there every Thursday for their karaoke night (not always the best live music but always fun) or Friday for live jazz music. Cover is always free.
Source: PTY Life
Panama participated in Executive Committee of Mesoamerica Project
This past week, Panama, as a member country of the Integration Project and Development of Mesoamerica (PM), participated in the Third Meeting of the Executive Committee of that integration mechanism in El Salvador.
In this mechanism, Panama led the Maritime Short Sea Transport Project (SSS) which is part of the economic axis. With the support of the Panama Maritime Authority, the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) workshops were held in the ten member countries and a regional action plan was developed to generate public/private consensus on the subject.
Panama is also actively involved in the “Middle America Without Hunger” program aimed at eradicating this scourge by 2025, improving family agriculture, food security and nutrition in the region.
Source: The Bulletin Panama
