NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2015

Introduction

"Welcome to this new edition of the World Trade Center Panama Newsletter! Through this monthly newsletter we interconnect our members and inform our tenants by sharing useful information. Our Communication department has been enhancing our overall messaging through social media. Do you like us on Facebook? Are we LinkedIn? And are you following us on Twitter and Instagram? Please do! We want to stay closely connected to know what you’re doing and to be sure you are not missing out on the ongoing activities and the latest updates on upcoming and past events as well as the international relationship of WTC Panama with other WTC’s through the WTC Association " Remy Swaab, Executive Director, WTC Panama.

Close to Home

ATM Banistmo located at WTC Panama Complex

As of the 11th of September, Banistmo has installed a new ATM machine in the Commercial Area on the ground floor, between the Hotel entrance and Hander Salon. This conveniently located ATM will be yet another service offered by the WTC Panama Complex to all its tenants and visitors.

Protective Elevator Wall Pads for Safety and Protection

With our newly refurbished elevators, the administration has acquired special padded covers to protect the inside when they will be used to move furniture or other object that might damage the new lining. Although our security and maintenance departments are vigilant to install these padded covers when needed, please make sure to request them when using the elevators for big loads. These custom padded covers were made by Laura Home Decor whom specializes in curtains but does also custom work. For more info on this provider, contact email: laurahomedecor@hotmail.com phone: 6649-2995.

Member Acknowledgment

Words of Kazumi Kobayashi - Resident Representative - JICA Panama

JICA, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, in Panama, is located on the 4th floor of the Office Tower at the WTC Panama Complex. We are a governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan. JICA's support to Panama focuses on environmental conservation, poverty reduction in rural region and sustainable socioeconomic growth, including the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

27 years ago, JICA established its offices in Panama and has been working with the Panamanian government. The JICA experts work on developmental issues with Panamanian counterparts in a range of fields such as rural development and environmental conservation, and also engage in technology transfer. Many of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers work together with the Panamanian people when providing human resource training and technical guidance in various fields.

Panamanian experts are sent to Japan or a third country to learn new technical skills in a short period of time and then transmit those skills to others after returning home. All of the people involved in these technical cooperation efforts serve as a bridge of friendship between Japan and Panama, contributing to the further development of Panama as fostering human resources and establishing necessary systems. For more information about our office in Panama, please contact us: (507) 264-9669 or visit our website

Marco Williams of Williams & Associates – coins new term: "Legal Tourism"

Williams & Associates, located on the 7th floor in the Office Tower at the WTC Panama Complex, is a Panamanian law firm specializing in commercial, banking, corporate law, asset management protection, alternative dispute resolutions (ADR), regional stock market advisory, immigration, labor law and litigation.

“As a professional law firm, we assist clients entering the Panamanian market, advising them on the most efficient market entry strategy and tax efficient structure. Joint ventures, Foreign Collaborations, Technology transfers, Mergers and Acquisitions, Information Technology, Capital Market Transactions, Project Finance, Real Estate and Intellectual Property Laws are some of our additional assets. In addition, the firm’s services also include advice on the U.S. - Panamanian and Latin American stock market in general. This is accomplished through strategic partnerships with companies with well-known background and experience in this field. The establishment of subsidiary companies, liaisons, branch and project offices, including establishment of export-oriented units in the Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones as well as regulatory approvals from Government authorities, are also some of our regular business.

We are proud to announce the new market changing concept called "Legal Tourism". It’s a new innovative form of attracting citizens of one country to another country to learn of a different juridical, commercial, and corporative structure that utilizes legal incentives promoted by certain countries and that creates the phenomenon of mobilization with the purpose of carrying out legal transactions or juridical activities.

For more information about "Legal Tourism" or for more information about our services, please contact us: (507) 397-1700 or by email: info@williams.com.pa.

Member At Heart

New solution for companies who deal in Foreign Exchange in Panama

Bannockburn Global Forex is a boutique capital markets trading firm specializing in currency advisory and payment services. The firm has a business model that is purely client oriented. Its principal focus is on combining its 125 years of experience in financial markets with highly cost efficient currency transactions to provide expert level consulting and foreign exchange payment services to its valued clients.

“The company's services will prove very useful to local companies in Panama who regularly deal in foreign exchange and have to handle payables, receivables in foreign exchange or other hedging products. In addition to the secure and cost effective foreign exchange transaction it provides, acquiring its services does not require change to the current banking account structure that a company already has in place” mentions Executive Director of WTC Panama, Mr. Remy Swaab. WTC Panama is proud, that being a non-profit organization; it can help develop the local economy by bringing in such companies that will exclusively benefit local businessmen who deal in foreign exchange. “We at World Trade Center Panama believe that this opportunity will contribute to Panama's business competitivity” adds Mr. Swaab.

For more information, questions or to organize a personal meeting with Bannockburn in Panama, please contact WTC Panama: communication@wtcpanama.org Read more

Benefits from GHL Hotel for the WTC Panama Tenants

The GHL Princess Panama Hotel (former Four Points by Sheraton) offers to all (employees of the) Tenants and Owners of the World Trade Center Building and their family members, friends and special guests the following benefits:

1. A 25% discount on the lunches at the GHL - Kushka restaurant when you present your WTC carnet (regular price B/.13.50 + 17%). This includes salad bar, soup, main course, dessert and soda. Valid from Monday to Friday from 12:00PM to 3:00PM.
2. Corporate & Social Event Packages:
   • Capacity from 10 to 150 people.
   • Corporate Meetings from B/29.00 per person (8 hours incl. food).
   • Corporate Buffet from B/18.50 per person (minimum 20 people)
   • Social Buffet from B/20.00 per person (minimum 20 people)
   • Packages for Fifteenth Birthday from B/2,200.00
   • Wedding Packages from B/2,500.00
   • Christmas Packages from B/1,000.00
3. Special Birthday promotions:
   • Breakfast Buffet (B/12.50 + 17%) This includes coffee, tea and hot chocolate, from Monday to Sunday from 6:00AM-10:00AM
   • Dinner (B/.16.50+17%) This includes salad, soup, main course, dessert and soda) from Monday to Sunday 6:00PM-10:00PM
   • A birthday cake for the birthday person (with reservation)
   • 100% discount for the birthday person (for groups of more than 5 people)
   • 50% discount for the birthday person (for groups of less than 5 people)

LATAM for Business in Sao Paolo

From November 24th to 25th, 2015, WTC São Paulo will promote the LATAM FOR BUSINESS, the first International Trade and Investment forum organized in order to approach “Economic Challenges for the Next Decade”. Latin America was chosen for being a region with decrescent integration between its productive chains, low level of intra-regional investment, but which presents series of geographical and cultural advantage that should be better explored. Those markets are undergoing economic restructuring, and for this reason they offer several opportunities in high growth sectors. Therefore, the LATAM For Business will assemble governmental authorities and corporate leaders to discuss strategies focused on stimulation of business development, cooperation and possible investments to enhance local and international business. Authorities from different countries such as the Vice-President of Ecuador, Mr. Jorge Glas, are already confirmed to present the country profile and investment opportunities.

Finally, the participants will be able to prestige the photographic exposition “The Bridges”, which portrays different bridges around the world as the way to progress and prosperity. To attend this event or for more information please contact: communication@wtcpanama.org.

Connected to the World

Introducing WTC Chicago

In July 2014 WTC Chicago was admitted to the World Trade Centers Association as a new member. The third largest metropolitan area in the United States, Chicago, was the only large city in the North American region without a World Trade Center. And although the Chicago area already plays a pivotal role in the history of the United States and is already an economic hub, the city will benefit greatly from the presence of a World Trade Center. Additionally, their key personnel and their Board of Directors have more than 60 years combined experience with the World Trade Centers Association and the World Trade Centers around the world.

Their mission will be to create jobs by bringing domestic and international companies to the Chicago region through Foreign Direct Investment. To achieve this mission WTC Chicago has professionals who perform specialized services; economic impact and feasibility consulting, real estate financing expertise, project planning and development skills, commercial leasing, and U.S. based legal counseling. For more information on WTC Chicago or their Foreign Direct Investment program, contact communication@wtcpanama.org

Introducing WTC Goa – India

On the 29th of August 2015, World Trade Center Goa has been inaugurated by the officials of the Economic Development Corporation House in Panaji – Goa. World Trade Center Goa is strategically located in the capital of the State Panaji – India. WTC Goa will facilitate the regional economic growth of the State, which is driven by the strong performance of industrial sectors such as mining, agro products, IT, tourism and pharmaceuticals and will also enhance the States flourishing marine industry. Additionally, they shall augment the trade and investment opportunities at WTC Goa of the State’s mineral deposits like iron ore which is 100% export oriented as well as manganese ore, bauxite, high magnesia, silica sands, limestone and clay. If you are interested in doing business in India, or you would like to know more about WTC Goa, please contact: communication@wtcpanama.org

Introducing WTC Valencia

World Trade Center Valencia is the first World Trade Center in Venezuela with the biggest convention and business center in the country. What began as an ambitious architectural project is now one of the most important buildings in the region and the country, and one of the two largest hotel and convention centers in Latin America. Therefore, the World Trade Center Valencia has become the epicenter of business meetings, conventions, congresses and expositions, offering those who visit the Hesperia WTC Valencia hotel and its convention center with a modern corporate tower, commercial locales and exposition areas. For more information about WTC Valencia or how to do business with them, contact communication@wtcpanama.org

Panama News

Customs agreements between Costa Rica and Panama

Costa Rica and Panama agreed on the reforms and procedures for two Integrated Control Centers (CCI) at the border crossing of Paso Canoas and Guabito – Sixaola. This agreement is a step forward towards a Central American Customs Union. Recently, the Panamanian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the National Customs Authority (ANA) and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) have agreed on the Border Control Modernization Program, valued at $60 billion. The IDB contributes $50 million to the program; the remaining $10 million is financed by the Panamanian government. Read more

Route Asia – east coast United States expected to lead global market in 2020

The Boston Consulting Group and CH Robinson have published a research on the change in global trade due to the expansion of the Panama Canal. The report ‘How the Panama Canal Expansion Is Redrawing the Logistics Map’, announces that the route from Asia to the United States East Coast will be leading in world trade. In 2014 35% of the container trade from west Asia arrived in the ports of the east coast of the United States. The current trends show that this will grow to 40% in 2020, without taken into account the expansion project. However, after the expansion of the Panama Canal is done, this is expected to grow to 50%. Find a copy of the report here Read more

Panama in top 5 most innovative countries Latin America

Together with Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico, Panama is ranked the highest in innovation of the region according to the 2015 Global Innovation Index. Panama is ranked 4th regionally and 62nd globally, from a total list of 141 countries. Switzerland leads the rankings for the second consecutive year. According to Irving Halman, general administrator of the National Authority for Government Innovation, Panama has set an investment plan for in innovation and development towards 2019. This includes an investment of $16 million in 2016 to expand broadband coverage in rural areas. Read more

Upcoming Events

About Us

WTC Panama aims to expand communication, international market culture and business services. The primary goal of the WTC Panama is to bring together the businesses involved in international commerce and provide them with services that will help facilitate growth. WTC Panama connects various economic segments locally and globally and is a member of the World Trade Centers Association. This Association stimulates trade and investment opportunities for commercial property developers, economic development agencies and international businesses looking to connect globally and prosper locally through the exclusive 330 'World Trade Center' branded properties and trade service.