NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2014

Introduction

"Welcome to the monthly edition of the World Trade Center Panama Newsletter! Through this monthly newsletter we interconnect our members and inform our tenants by sharing useful information about WTC Panama. We also showcase the ongoing activities and 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 of WTC Panama.

Close to Home

Unification in Fumigation

On November 11 the Unified Fumigation Program of the WTC Panama Complex will start. The Administration of the WTC Panama extends its gratitude to all owners and tenants for their participation. Working together on this Program and completing the goals will give efficiency and success to everyone. An immediate result will be the well-being (hygiene and sanitization) of everyone using and being in this Complex. Additionally, we will also comply with the Decree N°.1474, which regulates the activity of fumigation in the district of Panama City, preventing the proliferation of insects and avoid fines of $25,00 - $1.000,00 dollars, which can be imposed by the Inspectors of the Municipality on unexpected and unannounced visits to the Complex. According to this Decree, the Fumigation certificate should be exposed in a visible place, close to the door, together with the “aviso de operación” and neatly kept.

The Program will start at the highest floors and will be completed by the end of the month. The fumigation will take place every 3 months and every tenant will be given an original Certificate of Fumigation by the contracted fumigation company, X-Termina, which purchased the Certificates at the Alcaldía. X-Termina will give an invoice to the Administration office with detailed information about the costs for every tenant, which will have to be reimbursed by the tenants to the Administration. For any additional questions about the Unified Fumigation Program, please contact: Administration@wtcpanama.org

New ID and Access Cards in WTC Panama Complex

World Trade Center Panama continues working on the Culture of Security within the Complex by reinforcing new ID cards that will give access to the Office Tower and the Parking space on Sotano 2 and 3. At this stage, the Administration is finalizing the first stage of requiring the information from the Owners and the Tenants and updating the new Administration Platform.

The Administration invites you to come by at their office or to call them to provide your updated information, before the new technology is implemented. Once the new ID cards are implemented, the current ID cards will not work anymore. At the same time, the new ID tags will be obligated to everyone that works in the (Office) Complex and/or has a parking spot in the parking lot and has to be clearly visible for the Security personnel. WTC Panama wants to reaffirm that these changes are part of the effort in making the World Trade Center Panama a better and safer place for everyone within the building. For any question or for more information, please contact: administration@wtcpanama.org

Members at Heart

Celebrating German Unity Day

Germany is a country located in Central Europe and is a member of the European Union and has over 357 thousand km2 and more than 80 million citizens. Their capital is Berlin and on the north side its border is with Denmark, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. On the south side it shares its border with Austria and Switzerland and on the east side with Poland and Check Republic. On the west side it is connected with France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

24 years ago Germany became once again an united country without separations or walls; no more East Germany and West Germany. To commemorate the German Unity Day, the Ambassador of Germany in Panama, his Excellency Mr. Hermann Sausen and his wife, Mrs. Gabriele Sausen, had the honor of offering an elegant reception on Friday the 3rd of October in the Hotel El Panama. On WTC Panama’s behalf the Executive Director, Mr. Remy Swaab and the Administration’s Manager, Mr. Andres Muela, had the opportunity to attend this event. The German Embassy is located on the 20th floor in the Office Tower at the WTC Panama Complex.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany, that happened 25 years ago, on the 9th of November, was the event that set the precedence for the Unification of Germany and represented the end of Communism and the division of the World during the Cold War. Today the door of Bradenburg remains a symbol of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. More Information.

Promote your Company for free

World Trade Center Panama offers to all their businesses and members to promote their services and products through their monthly newsletter. If you are interested in taking advantage of this benefit please send a short article for the section: “Member Acknowledgement – WTC Member to Member”. This article, of maximum 200 words, could contain information about your company and services/products, the relationship with and advantages of the WTC Panama Complex and other comments you would wish to publish. The article can be written in Spanish and/or English, as the Newsletter is written in both languages. Don’t forget to include a photo/logo of your company to the article. You can send this to: newsletter@wtcpanama.org

PadelPoint Panama: 1st hour free for companies WTC Panama

PadelPoint Panama offers a special promotion to all members of the WTC Panama to enjoy the newest sport in Panama. Padel Point Panama invites you to come, with a friend, to their courts located in the Social Area behind the hotel of the World Trade Center Panama and enjoy the first hour for free (excludes equipment and lights). To make your reservation: 6618-3131 or padelpointpanama@gmail.com.

Connected to the World

Member Seminar en Nueva York

From the 19th until the 22nd of October the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) organized its yearly Member Seminar in New York. More than 180 WTC members attended this event to learn from and to network with the WTCA community. The Member Seminar, entitled “Tools for Trade”, ignited learning with interactive forums and case studies on monetization, marketing, communications and reciprocity, among other topics and once again gave the opportunity to refresh knowledge and reunite with WTC colleagues.

WTC Panama attended this event and was represented by Mr. Remy Swaab, Executive Director, and Mrs. Marit Hoffer, Communications Director. During this event, WTC Panama member, Mrs. Donna Siebrasse, from Sanchiz, Siebrasse y Asociados, also visited this Seminar and got the chance to network and to promote her company amongst the worldwide network of the WTCA.

The next event hosted by the WTCA for its members and their business members will be the 46th WTCA General Assembly which will take place in Manila, the Philippines. If you are interested in attending this event to meet other CEO’s, trade experts, property developers, economists and policymakers, please contact: communication@wtcpanama.org.

Pacific Alliance meeting in Lima, Peru

On November 11-12 of this year, WTC Lima and Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola will be hosting a Pacific Alliance meeting to enhance business relationships between World Trade Centers in the region and their Business Members. The event will bring together members of the World Trade Center network from the Latin region of the Pacific Alliance consisting of Colombia, Chile and Mexico. Companies from various sectors from the different World Trade Centers will join Peruvian companies at business round tables and seminars. International speakers will talk of the benefits, barriers and opportunities for growth in various markets and highlight the importance of internationalization in the pursuit of increasing foreign trade. The event will offer an analysis of the current and projected commercial opportunities within each member country in various sectors and is aimed at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the objective of strengthening relationships between companies, which may act as suppliers or strategic partners for one another. Further, it aims to develop and increase external trade and assist companies in their internationalization process. More information

It is expected that 300 companies that are members of the World Trade Centers of the participating countries, will attend. The event is specifically aimed at General, Commercial and Trade Managers of SMEs that look to market their products and/or services abroad. Executive Director of WTC Panama, Mr. Remy Swaab, will be attending this event. If you are interested to join this delegation to Lima, Peru, please contact: communication@wtcpanama.org.

Member Acknowledgment

Words of Corporate Stays – located in the Office Tower of WTC Panama

Founded in 2008, CorporateStays.com is a company that creates personalized corporate housing experiences, relocating people with long stays in luxurious furnished apartments on many locations around the globe as Canada, United States, Colombia and Panama. Globally, a team of over sixty passionate corporate housing specialists and partners hand-pick and personally manage each property to ensure that guests are offered the very best.

They offer exclusive luxury experience with Signature Collection properties, their own personally selected apartments exclusively managed by dedicated team, that allows you the convenience of no security deposit, no notice to vacate, pay as you go, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee! As a full-service corporate housing provider, CorporateStays.com offers guests complimentary concierge services and worldwide guest support to provide travelers with the perfect place to stay while away from home. Also if you are a client that travels often for business or leisure you can become an eligible Club Member after a first stay. CLUB Members enjoy free upgrades and free late check-outs (depending on availability), as well as gift certificates to merchandise and other goodies, not to mention CLUB Points that will be accumulated towards free nights at any of their worldwide locations!

This company is committed with each of their guests' needs and to offer more to make them feel at home while being outside. To contact or make a reservation with CorporateStays.com please write by email: yolanda.castillo@corporatestays.com or call 265-5148/49.

Panama News

Panama's incredible innovation increase

Panama ranks 52 in the Global Innovation Index, issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the Insead Business School and Cornell University. Panama advanced 34 places in comparison with 2013 when it ranked 86 and is now the second most innovative country of Latin America, only surpassed by Chile (46). Mr. Víctor Sánchez Urrutia, president of Business Innovation of the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT http://www.senacyt.gob.pa/), sees an important role for the private sector in the acceleration of innovation by investing in research and development. Senacyt is working on a master plan to stimulate innovation and competitiveness, which will focus on universities educating a new generation of entrepreneurs. More information.

Panama and their "Fiestas Patrias"

Panama celebrates in November its month of national festivities, also known as: Fiestas Patrias. Throughout November, all around the country the flag and patriotic symbols are displayed and the country celebrates festive events and musical parades. The Panamanians will celebrate these 5 days of historical importance for their country; the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th and 28th of November. More information.

Premio al Himno Nacional

During the awards ceremony The Muse, held at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Florida, last October 18, the Panamanian composer Omar Alfanno was added to the Hall of Fame. Besides this honor, the poet Don Jeronimo De La Ossa that composed the elegant and beautiful National Anthem of Panama was paid a posthumous tribute. The Mayor of Panama City, Jose Blandon, received this honorable National Anthem Award while singer Erika Ender sang a touching interpretation. More information

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.