Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
ExpoComer a Huge Success in 2017
THIS YEAR’S Expocomer organized at Atlapa by the Panama Chamber of Commerce and ending March 25, generated commercial transactions of $135 million, according to preliminary calculations of the organizers.
The 5th version of the trade fair, received 16,778 visitors over four days. And 11,852 “business contacts” were made with 1,597 appointments. In addition, the fair resulted in the equivalent of 8,000 overnight stays in hotels.
“Let us remember that these results increase as the months advance, because there are followups to the business contacts established at the event, and that results in future deals being made,” said Chamber President Jorge Garcia Icaza.
Source: Newsroom Panama
China State Firms Eye Land Around Panama Canal: Waterway Authority
Chinese state firms have expressed an interest to develop land around the Panama Canal, the chief executive of the vital trade thoroughfare said, underlining China’s outward push into infrastructure via railways and ports around the world.
The Panama Canal Authority will officially open a tender to develop about 1,200 hectares of land – roughly the size of 1,200 football fields – around the waterway by the end of this year into a logistics park, after completing a five-year-long decontamination of the area, Chief Executive Jorge Quijano said.
“We have been talking to people here in China,” Quijano told Reuters on Monday ahead of a meeting with the canal’s advisory board in Shanghai. China Communications Construction Corp (601800.SS)(1800.HK), its subsidiary China Harbour Engineering Company and China Railway Group (601390.SS)(0390.HK) have shown interest in the project, he added.
Source: Reuters
How To Import Your Vehicle (And Everything Else) Into Panama
So you decided to move to Panama, and now you’re wondering where to begin. To start, you will need to decide what all you want to bring. For many expats, that means just the bare necessities, but for some, much more will be required. A personal vehicle is one of the most cumbersome items you may decide to bring along, and you will have to make plans far ahead of your actual departure to ensure your car arrives promptly.
If you are considering transporting your vehicle into Panama, make sure to research the current costs, as it is a pricey endeavor and it may not be the best option for your personal situation. The following guide, although not all-inclusive, will help give you a basic understanding of the entire procedure required to ship your belongings, including your vehicle, into the country of Panama.
Source: PTY Life
5 Things to do This Weekend in Panama City
The weekend is upon us, and that means (for most of us), it’s time to enjoy some free time with family and friends. If you are living in Panama, or visiting Panama City, there’s plenty for you to do, no matter what your tastes. Panama City is great on the weekends, and truly is the beating heart of the country when it comes to energy, diversity, and style. Here are 5 of our top recommendations for things to do, this weekend or any while you’re in town.
1. Visit Panama Viejo:
Not to be confused with Casco Viejo, Panama Viejo is the original ruins of the old city in Panama. It’s basically an outdoor, walkable museum with surprisingly in tact structures and town layout from around 500 years ago. The ruins of the old settlement are located just to the east of the San Francisco neighborhood, and is accessible easily by taxi, Uber, or bus. There is an actual museum near the entrance, plus walkable ruins and old streets, with guided tours available if requested. This is a great way to spend a weekend day, and if you go early enough, it won’t be too crowded.
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
