September 29, 2021. Our work at the United Nations and Washington D.C. is generating results, said Chancellor Erika Mouynes. “We have made visible the growing phenomenon of Irregular Migration and captured the attention of key role players who are in Panama today. We have already spoken with Ricardo Zúñiga from the United States Department of State”. Later, Minister Mouynes accompanied President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen to a discussion table with Daleep Singh, the White House Deputy National Security Adviso
Panama: The Place to Be for Sustainable Investments and more
Trade Mission to the East Coast of the United States
Washington - New York, September 2021. Balancing economic growth with sustainable investments with social impact in various fields such as tourism, digital technology, infrastructure, energy, and food production is a natural fit for Panama.
Top government officials from Panama visited the East Coast of the United States, specifically to the cities of Washington D.C. and New York from September 13 to 17, to share their success story and promote all the opportunities to visit, invest, work, and retire in the country of just over 4 million people that is expected to grow 12% (GDP) this year (International Monetary Fund) and reach herd immunity from COVID19 by October.
Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) began the Trade Mission with a panel discussion at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to update the original Tourism Conservation Research (TCI) economic model, created in 1999 by Dr. Hana Ayala to use tourism to serve as an economic catalyst to conserve the country’s natural and cultural heritage through scientific research and sustainable investments.
Panama is leader in sustainability because of their Infrastructure and natural resources
· 32% of Panama’s land mass and now 30% of its marine areas are protected.
· 65.4% of Panama’s territory is made up of forests and other wooded lands, making us a true living lab.
· The Panama Canal is calculated to have saved more than 650 million tons of CO2 emissions during its 107 years of operation.
· Panama has microclimates that are perfect for some of the most exquisite and unique products in the world, such as its Geisha coffee, spring water and sweet pineapple.
· History of natural and cultural conservation efforts that started with the establishment of the San Blas comarca in 1925.
· Conservation is a way of life in Panama, the areas around the Canal basin have been protected for more than 100 years.
· The Smithsonian Institute has been studying Panama’s extraordinary biodiversity since 1923
· Panama is a Global Champion for the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy and has been praised by the UN for its Energy Transition Strategy.
· Abundant rainfall and rivers allow for 70% of our energy matrix to be hydropower.
· About 10% between solar, wind and natural gas.
· Home of the largest windfarm in Central America and the Caribbean
· Panama is a Natural Gas Hub, with a delivery capacity of up to 175,000m3.
The work tour continued with the "Stelite Media Tour" in The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. based in a media tour and several interviews to RAMÓN E. MARTÍNEZ DE LA GUARDIA – Minister of Commerce, RAFAEL SABONGE – Minister of Public Works, the Ambassador CARMEN GISELA VERGARA - Director of the Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion of the Republic of Panama (PROPANAMA) - and IVÁN ESKILDSEN ALFARO – General Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority. The journalists had the opportunity to ask about the key sectors of Panama such as tourism, logistics, energy and digital, under a concept called "The Panama Pitch". This communication strategy allowed to reach an audience of more than 14 million people in United States.
On September 15-17th, the Panamanian Delegation travelled to New York for events at the Union League Club, Americas Society/Council of Americas, and Columbia University to continue with the promotion of the key sectors of the Panamanian economy.
One of the most important work meetings was the first "Panama Open House" in New York City, in there the Ministers had the opportunities to talk with members of the US Chamber of Commerce about recently Panamanian Government’s initiatives for the foreign investment. The Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara, Director of the Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion of the Republic of Panama (PROPANAMA) presented “Panama, The Place To Be”.
Panama’s Facts:
· The Panama Canal today it is responsible for 6% of the World’s maritime trade.
· The COPA Airlines operated Hub of the Americas services over 16 million in transit passengers every year.
· The 8 Fiber Optic cables that cross Panama serve as an information highway for the Americas.
· Most connected country with North America and the region
· US Dollar as legal currency
· International Banking & Financial Center
· Political & Legal stability
· Excellent quality of life
· High Tech medical services of international prestige
· High quality education
· Stability of Investment regimes
· Virtually Free of Natural Disasters
· Commercial openness and market access
· The most secure country in the region (low crime rate)
The official agenda also included a meeting with companies that belong to Wallstreet, with the mission of promoting our banking and financial sector.
Banking & Financial Sector
• Total Assets: US$ 129,2 Billion as of March 2021
• Global Competitiveness Index Soundness Banks Ranked #16
• Investment Grade
o Standard & Poor’s BBB
o Moody’s Baa2
o Fitch BBB-
As part of the final work tour, top government officials from Panama met the “the Americas Society or Council of the Americas". This was a face-to-face event in which was promoted our tourism, investment, construction, logistics and digital sectors with all members of the council, who were present both in person and virtually connecting their members throughout the United States.
For more information about Panama, you can visit the followings sites:
Panama makes improvements to the “Friendly Countries” program
This program determines an immigration category of Permanent Resident to foreign nationals of specific countries who maintain friendly, professional, economic and investment relations with the Republic of Panama.
Panama receives 503,100 Pfizer doses donated by the United States
Panama, July 21, 2021. 503,100 doses of Pfizer's vaccine arrived at the Cargo Terminal of Tocumen International Airport, part of a donation from the Government of the United States to the Government of Panama. This batch of vaccines to combat Covid-19 is the largest to have arrived in the country in a date.
Representing the National Government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erika Mouynes; and The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, received from Stewart Tuttle, Acting Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Panama, this donation that strengthens the ties of cooperation, solidarity and brotherhood between both nations.
Foreign Minister Mouynes thanked the United States for its gesture of solidarity and said that with this donation, the mass vaccination days begin in the country.
"This week the country will receive nearly one million doses, which is very important for Panama, because they represent the hope of all Panamanians. The pandemic has shown that people's solidarity and cooperation is important, and strategic partners like the United States today say they are present with this aid," Mouynes said.
This is the twenty-fifth batch of Pfizer vaccines arriving in Panama.
For his part, the Acting Chief of mission of the U.S. Embassy in Panama said that this donation "is a sign of our affection and commitment to the well-being of the Panamanian people. The well-being of the Panamanian people really equals the well-being of our people," he said.
He explained that the doses of the Pfizer vaccine received in Panama are part of a global campaign to combat the pandemic. "The United States and Panama are united in this fight that we are going to win," Tuttle said.
Successful working tour of President Laurentino Cortizo in Texas, U.S.
President Cortizo meets with Texas businessmen to attract investment to Panama
● The President, accompanied by the Panamanian delegation, shared with businessmen from the Austin Economic Development Corporation the advantages and attractions that Panama offers for good investments.
● The President's work tour has yielded important results, such as the investment of 250 million dollars that the multinational Millicom will make in Panama.
Texas, United States. July 15, 2021. The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, led a meeting of the Panamanian delegation with more than 30 businessmen from the Economic Development Corporation of Austin, Texas, in which they showed the advantages offered by Panama to invest, such as the best connectivity in the region, have a maritime, air and digital "hub," tourist attractions and a solid international banking center, among others.
The Panamanian delegation listed and explained to the businessmen some of these advantages that the country offers to invest, among which stand out: having the best connectivity between North America, a world-class logistics platform, a privileged geographical position, the dollar as the official currency in circulation, banks and the international financial center.
They also mentioned political stability, excellent quality of life, high-tech medical services of international prestige, legal stability in investments, a world-class communication infrastructure and the safest country in the region with a low crime rate, among other attractions.
Texas' economy is among the fastest growing, and is the second largest in the United States. If it were an independent nation, Texas would be the fifteenth largest economy in the world.
During his working tour, together with the delegation accompanying him, President Cortizo Cohen has held important meetings with leaders of the Texas private sector, including investors and entrepreneurs from the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the company Energy Transfer to study the feasibility of joint participation in a Trans - Panama Gateway pipeline project.
The president also toured the sports facilities of the University of Texas and met with Jay Hartzell, president of the University of Austin, to formalize the signing of an agreement that seeks to evaluate the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Panama, prioritize strategic sectors for development and establish a methodology for incubation and support for companies.
President Cortizo Cohen held an important meeting with Mauricio Ramos, CEO of Millicom, who announced a plan to invest 250 million dollars in the modernization of its network, impacting 800 thousand Panamanians, of which 200 thousand do not have mobile coverage. This economic and social decision will benefit hard-to-reach areas that are part of the Colmena Plan, which seeks to lay the foundations for reducing poverty and inequality in the country.
The Panamanian delegation is composed of Carmen Gisela Vergara, director of the National Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion of Panama (ProPanamá) and directors of that entity; José Alejandro Rojas Pardini, Minister of Facilitation of Private Investments; Aristides Royo, Minister of Canal Affairs; Juan Carlos Sosa, Deputy Minister of International Trade; Ana Margarita Reyes, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority and Technical Secretary of the Logistics Cabinet.
President Cortizo promotes expanding Houston investments in Panama
During a meeting with businessmen from Houston, the president proposed the establishment of regional headquarters of multinationals in the country.
The reestablishment of the regional offices of the port of Houston in Panama is being sought.
Continuing with his work tour in the third and last city, the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, met with the Greater Houston Partnership, a business council that brings together important companies, some of them with a presence in our country, and made a visit to the port of Houston.
The objective of the meeting was to strengthen commercial relations, promote the installation in Panama of regional headquarters of multinationals, as well as invite a commercial mission from Texas to visit the country.
The expansion of the Houston - Panama air route via United Airlines was also promoted and the expansion of the logistics center continued, taking into account the expansion of the Panama Canal and the navigation channel of the port of Houston.
“During this official mission, investors have reaffirmed their interest, highlighting the actions implemented by our administration. Panama is, without a doubt, the place to be and to invest! We will continue to facilitate good foreign investment, ”said the president, who was accompanied by the Panamanian Consul in Houston, Jaime Sosa; the Minister of Canal Affairs, Aristides Royo; Juan Carlos Sosa, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade; Carmen Gisela Vergara, Director of the Authority for the Attraction of Investments and Promotions of Exports of the Republic of Panama (ProPanamá); Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini, Minister Counselor of Facilitation of Private Investment; Ana Margarita Reyes, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority and Technical Secretary of the Logistics Cabinet.
Houston is the main commercial partner of the United States with Panama in trade and investment, so this tour seeks to expand the investments of companies established in the country.
Among the main companies in this region that have operations in Panama are Chevron, Cheniere, Halliburton, McDermott, Sysco, United Airlines, Deloitte and the Port of Houston.
During this visit, the Panamanian president expressed his support for the expansion of the port's navigation channel, as well as the search for mechanisms to promote opportunities and the reestablishment of the regional offices of the port of Houston in Panama.
The opportunity was offered for companies from Texas and the United States to use Panama as a logistics center for products imported from Asia that can be unloaded in Panama, stored and then shipped to the Atlantic side of South America.
The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston is the largest port in the country in terms of shipping tonnage and an essential economic engine for Houston, the state of Texas and the United States.
COFFEE WITH A PANAMANIAN VIEW
PANAMA EXPANDS COFFEE CIRCUIT TO INCLUDE TOURISTIC EXPERIENCES IN THE CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS REGION SHOWCASING CULTURE AND BIODIVERSITY
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – May, 2021 – Panama is making its mark as a must-visit destination for travelers from around the world, expanding the touristic experiences at local coffee farms throughout the Chiriquí Highlands. The region is best known for producing Geisha Coffee, the world’s most valuable coffee and harvested by the Ngäbe and the Buglé indigenous communities. The area offers a range of unforgettable experiences. From tours and coffee tastings at iconic family farms to ziplining, and hiking the Baru Volcano, one of the only places in the world where you can see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea at the same time. You can also partake on world-class birdwatching in the stunning mountain region and indulge with the region’s remarkable gastronomy.
The farms are part of the country’s Coffee Circuit, which is currently being developed by The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) and the Center for Competitiveness of the Western Region (CECOMRO) to further enhance the region’s economic activity and raise awareness of the extraordinary biodiversity in the region. The initiative hopes to include up to 42 farms upon completion.
All types of travelers, from families to nature lovers, and adventurers, are welcomed to explore the coffee farms that are located in three main regions of the Chiriquí Highlands: Tierras Altas which includes Volcan, Bambito, and Cerro Punta; as well as Renacimiento and Boquete. The 15 coffee farms that are active in providing distinctive touristic experiences are as follows:
Tierras Altas, Chiriquí:
● Finca Candela: Go on an intricate tour of the coffee plant and witness the process of turning the coffee fruit into coffee beans.
● Finca Ceriana: Choose from five experiences, including guided tours of the coffee plantations, horseback riding tours, classy picnics, trekking, observation of the flora, and access to more than 204 species of birds.
● Finca Don Lara: Take a guided tour of the plantation provided by the owner himself, and learn about the coffee varieties available in the region, and depending on the season, take part in the farm’s coffee harvest.
● Finca Janson: Take in the natural paradise of the highest alpine lakes of Panama and experience a world-class birding destination established as a natural reserve overseeing the Baru Volcano, all while enjoying world-class coffee varieties.
Renacimiento, Chiriquí:
● Finca Café Eleta: Take a guided tour of the farm and taste specialty coffee nearby the World Heritage Site, La Amistad International Park (PILA), known for its rich and abundant biodiversity.
● APRE: The Asociación de Productores de Renacimiento (APRE) is an association of 75 member farms located in Renacimiento, where local farms are helped with processing and distributing their coffee nationally and internationally. Although the association doesn't offer tours, they do assist with setting up member farm tours.
Boquete, Chiriquí:
● Boquete Tree Trek: Choose from a guided farm tour, coffee tasting, or a special tea tour unique in Central America, or the ultimate adventure with one of the farm’s 12 zip lines or six suspension bridges.
● Café Kotowa Finca Cristal: Delve into the Geisha coffee process or visit the farm’s two-decade-old Rum Cellar. Nature lovers can also experience the farm’s Hanging Bridges trail and Zipline.
● Café Ruiz: Pick from several packages at the century-old compact coffee plantation, where you can learn about artisan ways and the history of coffee, community, as well as sustainability and biodiversity efforts.
● Finca Don Pepe: Tour the oldest farm in the region, founded in 1898 by the Vásquez family, known for creating incredible coffee varieties like Geishas, Caturra, Catuai, Pacamara, Borbon, Typica and Java, which you can taste and buy on the premises.
● Finca Elida: Witness sweeping views of the estate by taking a tour through the family’s Geisha plantation and processing plant, best known for housing the most expensive coffee in the world for two consecutive years as well as achieving the highest scored coffee at the “Best of Panama” to date.
● Finca La Milagrosa: With a coffee in hand, take a tour of the diverse plantations and discover how the farm uses recycled car parts and computers to create their own coffee roasting machines.
● Finca Lerida: Tour the first farm to export and introduce Panamanian coffee to Germany in 1929, taking a close look at every aspect of the coffee production process. The farm even offers the ability to stay overnight.
● Finca Princesa Janca: Enjoy a tour of the plantations and a coffee tasting session or explore the farm’s on-site museum documenting the family's rich history as it relates to coffee and Panamanian politics.
● Hacienda Mamecillo: Choose from various activities from coffee tasting and guided tours of the farm’s vegetable nursery, to mountain biking, rappelling, and trekking throughout nature to find five waterfalls, 300-year-old trees, and unique biodiversity.
While coffee roots run deep in the Highlands in the Chiriquí Province, the area is also known as the land of flowers. A place where mountaineers, bird watchers, and travelers passionate about indigenous culture and natural attractions can partake in numerous experiences from Panama's three Heritage Routes: Green (unique biodiversity), Blue (ocean wonders), and Cultural. Visitors can explore La Amistad International Park that has more than 600 bird species. They can visit the Ngäbe and the Buglé people, two of Panama's seven indigenous communities, or hike the highest peak in Panama, the Baru Volcano, to witness views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Panama has been open to international visitors since October 2020. Those looking to visit the Chiriquí Province can reach the Highlands by car (a 7-hour ride from Panama City) or take a short (less than one-hour) domestic flight to David, Chiriquí, followed by a 45-minute car ride to Boquete or Tierras Altas.
To learn more about the Panama Highlands region and coffee culture, please visit discover.visitpanama.com/coffee.
To learn more about Panama's Cultural, Green and Blue Heritage, as well as the experiences around it, please visit https://visitpanama.com/things-to-do/.
For the latest information on Panama's health and safety protocols for international visitors, please visit https://www.visitpanama.com/information/travel-guidelines.
This summer, Iberia will fly to Panama with six weekly frequencies.
Panama will be the second destiny on which Iberia will extend the IATA Travel Pass digital passport.
Iberia and PROMTUR Panama have signed, within the FITUR framework, an agreement to promote Panamanian tourism in the airline’s more than 90 destinations in Europe.
Iberia has announced the increase of its Spain-Panama route from three to six weekly flights this summer, demonstrating Iberia’s commitment to this market and to strengthening its leadership in Latin America.
Panama will be the second route to which Iberia will extend the IATA Travel Pass digital passport, after being the first airline to implement it on routes between Europe and Latin America.
During the International Tourism Fair held in Madrid, Fitur, the CEO of PROMTUR Panama, Fernando Fondevila, and the president of Iberia, Javier Sánchez-Prieto, signed an agreement to promote the country as a tourist destination in the more than 90 destinations that the Spanish Airline offers in Europe.
The agreement reached between Iberia and PROMTUR Panama includes a series of actions through the airline's communication channels such as the in-flight entertainment system, the Ronda Iberia magazine, its social media profiles and its website, www.iberia. com, among others.
PANAMA CELEBRATES THE END OF COFFEE HARVEST SEASON AND EMBRACES THE HIGHLANDS TOURISTIC EXPERIENCES
FINCA ELIDA / Boquete, Chiriqui
With March coming to a close, Panama is celebrating the end of its iconic coffee harvest season and embracing the surrounding touristic experiences in the Chiriquí Highlands region. Best known for producing Geisha Coffee, the most valuable coffee in the world and harvested by the Ngäbe and Bugle indigenous people, the Chiriquí Highlands region boasts highly fertile volcanic soil, making the area perfect for agriculture and exploring natural lands.
To celebrate the Specialty Coffee season, which starts in September and ends in March, La Cosecha, an exclusive three-day event dedicated to celebrating the harvest, invites coffee aficionados to learn about the extensive process that ultimately creates some of the world's best brews. In its fourth installment held from April 8-11 this year, the event features luxurious and intimate experiences – from one-on-one tours with lead coffee harvesters in the region, a special coffee ritual, cultural immersions with the Ngäbe indigenous community, to a sunrise coffee tasting atop the famed Baru Volcano.
While coffee roots run deep in the Highlands and the Chiriquí Province, the Coffee Circuit is not all the premier mountain destination offers. The area is also known as the land of flowers: a place for mountaineers, bird watchers and travelers passionate about indigenous culture and natural attractions. Travelers looking to visit the province can partake in numerous experiences from Panama's Heritage Routes: Green (nature), Blue (oceans) and Cultural.
Adventure seekers can hike the famous Baru Volcano, which reaches over 11,000 feet above sea level, serving as the highest point in Panama. With its peak allowing hikers to see both the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean at the same time, hikers can camp above the clouds where they can stargaze and witness the summit at sunrise, or hike at night to make it in time for the incredible sunrise views.
Culture hounds can opt to visit the Ngäbe and Bugle people, two of Panama's seven indigenous groups, who are proud to share their culture, cosmovision and history with visitors, as well as the beautiful scenery and attractions that surround their communities. The Ngäbe communities provide experiences including cacao tours, waterfall hikes, a day on the organic farm, handicrafts, and cultural evenings in an ecologically sustainable environment.
Nature lovers will enjoy trekking to find the Lost Waterfall, a gorgeous hike through dense rainforest that leads to three beautiful waterfalls in Boquete, Chiriquí. Visitors can also join tours that offer white water rafting and ziplining through the cloud forest, where you can achieve one-of-a-kind views of the natural landscapes and wildlife. A trip to Panama is not complete for birdwatchers without visiting the stunning tropical forest at La Amistad International Park, renowned for its biodiversity, boasting more than 600 bird species. One of them is the Resplendent Quetzal — a striking bird that was once sacred to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs.
Visitors can reach the Highlands by car (a 7-hour ride from Panama City) or take a less than one-hour domestic flight to David, Chiriquí, followed by a 45-minute car ride. Visiting the Chiriquí Highlands supports Panama's Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism, recently recognized by UNESCO as an example of innovation and sustainability, highlighting Panama's unique tourism routes. The plan reactivates Panama's Tourism, Conservation and Research (TCI) strategy. The updated TCI strategy focuses on three core areas: Cultural Heritage (multifaceted culture), Green Heritage (extraordinary biodiversity) and Blue Heritage (ocean wonders).
To learn more about the Panama Highlands region and coffee culture, please visit discover.visitpanama.com/coffee.
To learn more about Panama's Cultural, Green and Blue Heritage, as well as the experiences around it, please visit https://visitpanama.com/things-to-do/.
For the latest information on Panama's health and safety protocols for international visitors, please visit https://www.visitpanama.com/information/travel-guidelines
Press Release- Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes held a call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Panama April 6, 2021 - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erika Mouynes, held an important call today with the Secretary of State of the United States, Antony J. Blinken, with whom she reviewed issues of common interest regarding the political situation of the region, the representation of the continent in multilateral forums and irregular migration as a phenomenon that must be addressed at its source.
During this first meeting between foreign ministers, Panama valued the return of the United States to important meeting places in pandemic times as the World Health Organization, and the new support of the Biden administration for the Paris Agreement for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, also signed by the Panamanian State. In this sense, the Panamanian Foreign Minister highlighted the initiatives of the National Government in the face of the threats of Climate Change, betting on the green agenda of sustainability and allocating significant resources to the protection of natural and marine heritage, until Panama has become one of the only three carbon sink countries on the planet.
The two foreign ministers agreed on the value of US capital investments in Panama, as an important point in the post-pandemic economic recovery, maintaining the commercial attractiveness of our country due to its unmatched logistical advantages and social stability.
Foreign Minister Mouynes shared Panama's intention to strengthen its presence in multilateral forums and regain leadership in the region that was historically associated with its role as a neutral mediator and a geographic center of the world.
Both diplomatic representatives highlighted the strength of the historic strategic alliance between the United States and Panama, and their desire to continue cooperation to face present and future challenges.
Original Press Release in spanish: mire.gob.pa/canciller-erika-mouynes-sostiene-reunion-telefonica-con-el-secretario-de-estado-de-los-estados-unidos-antony-blinken/
Press Release- Parliamentary Elections in Venezuela
Press Release
Elections in Venezuela do not meet conditions to ensure a free, democratic and inclusive process.
• The Republic of Panama regrets that the parliamentary elections in Venezuela were held this Sunday, December 6, under conditions that did not guarantee a democratic, transparent, inclusive, free and fair process for the Venezuelan people. The institutional weaknesses of the process, the obstacles faced by the opposition parties, the limited participation recorded by independent media and the absence of the recommended and widely accepted international observance sow unacceptable doubts in the results of these elections.
• As a neighboring and sister country, we call on all the actors in Venezuelan society to create spaces that allow a broad national dialogue without preconditions, which can count on the support of the international community, and lead to a prompt durable and consensual solution to the critical humanitarian, social and economic situation in the country.
• From our historical position in favor of a constructive and respectful dialogue of the principles and values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Panama will continue to support the efforts made through a peaceful and negotiated way to put a definitive end to the unsustainable Venezuelan crisis.
Original press release in Spanish- https://mire.gob.pa/comunicado-sobre-las-elecciones-parlamentarias-en-venezuela/