NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2014

Introduction

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

The yearly Firedrill was a success!

After months of preparation and training of the Brigadistas, Jefes de Pisos and all personnel of the WTC Panama Complex, the yearly fire drill was successfully conducted on Tuesday the 16th of September. The Firedrill began at 11.00am sharp, with the activation of the fire alarm due to a simulated outbreak of a fire in one of the lower floors of the Office Tower. The total evacuation of the WTC Panama Complex was achieved in 8 minutes and 46 minutes. The success of the Firedrill is credited to the excellent organization of the Executive Committee and Safety in collaboration with PCS Consultores and to the commitment of the Jefes de Pisos and the Brigadistas and to the cooperation of all the tenants of the WTC Panama Complex. Within a couple of months WTC Panama will receive a report of the fire drill with all details and advice for next fire drill. You can watch the evacuation video through our Facebook page

Reactivation of the Heliport

World Trade Center Panama is considering reactivating the Heliport, located on the rooftop of the Office Tower. Executive Director of WTC Panama, Mr. Remy Swaab, stated in his interview with newspaper Martes Financiero that he is considering all possible opportunities to best utilize this asset. Initially, the idea is to offer flights between Tocumen Airport and the WTC Panama Complex. WTC Panama will keep you informed through its social media about new developments. Click here for the interview with Martes Financiero.

Connected to the World

Looking Ahead to 2015 International CES

World Trade Center Las Vegas is hosting its fourth annual innovation-focused networking breakfast on Thursday, January 8, 2015. The breakfast will coincide with the 2015 International CES (CES)®, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, and will feature high profile speakers who will be announced in the coming weeks. All contacts of the World Trade Center Panama are invited to attend the much-anticipated breakfast. There, you’ll have a chance to get a sneak peek at the innovation that will be on display at CES. Every year, more than 150,000 professionals from more than 140 countries visit Las Vegas to see the latest consumer electronics technology and services displayed by more than 3,500 exhibitors. More information.

Latest newsletter WTCA

The World Trade Centers Association informs their members and all their contacts through its monthly Newsletter about interesting upcoming events, trade missions, educational programs and trade services opportunities. The World Trade Centers Association has a vast network of World Trade Centers in 100 different countries and companies that focuses in doing business in international trade and investment. Click here to see their latest Newsletter.

Panama News

Panama ranks first in well-being

In a new poll Pamama ranks first among 135 countries on subjective well-being – not just how much wealth or health people have but how they feel about their lives. The results are based on a new global version of the Hallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The index looks at how people feel about five facets of their lives: sense of purpose, social connections, community, finances and physical vigor. Overall, countries in the Americas and Northern Europe rank highest and those in sub-Saharan Africa rank lowest. Panamanians truly stand out for positivity: 61% are "thriving" on at least three measures of well-being, Gallup researcher Dan Witters says. The next closest country is Costa Rica at 44%. Six of the top 10 countries are in Latin America. Syria and Afghanistan rank last, and the USA ranks 12th in the poll conducted in 2013 and released Tuesday by Gallup and Healthways, a Franklin, Tenn., company that markets wellness programs. To see how each country is ranked, based on the percentage of its people found to be "thriving" in at least three of the five categories click here

Employment in Panama continues to increase

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census the labor market in Panama consists of a total of 2,756,145 people over 15 years old, of which only 4.3% are unemployed. This represents a reduction of 0.2% compared to the 4.5% unemployment in March this year.
A study by Manpower of 620 entrepreneurs across the country about job expectations for 2014 showed that hiring intentions relatively remain positive. Panama City and the Central provinces will be expected to have the best employment trend of the country and Colon would be the region with the least job expectations. These are the expected segments where most hiring will be done: Trade, Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture and Fishing and Mining.
The Government is planning to organize special workshops and courses with (private) companies to improve the skills of the young technical professionals and to strengthen their technical careers. Some of these companies are the National Institute of Human Development (INADEH), the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) and the Universities. This will be a necessity to fill all vacancies within the technical sector (especially in the logistics and port activities) in the country, due to the Panama Canal and the Colon Free Zone. Read More .

News from the Americas

Panama, the best business destination in Central America

At the World Travel Awards, also known as the Oscars of Tourism, Panama obtained some major awards. Tocumen International Airport, 2 hotels in Panama City and Copa Airlines, won at the World Travel Awards that was held in Quito, Ecuador. These Awards are one of the most important award ceremonies in the world of Tourism, because they are considered the global benchmark for excellence in the Tourism Industry. The Tourism Authority of Panama reported that during this event, Panama got 5 of the most coveted awards of the event; amongst these was “Best Business Destination of Central America”, which reaffirms the importance of Panama as a tourist destination in the region.
Additionally, Tocumen International Airport was rewarded as “Leading Airport of Mexico and Central America”. Copa Airlines was rewarded with: “Leading Airline of Mexican and Central America” confirming Panama as a full stop hub and a gateway to the rest of the world. The Bristol Hotel in Panama was named as “Leading Business Hotel in Mexico and Central America” and the Waldorf Astoria as “Leading New Hotel of Mexico and Central America. There were four different rounds at the World Travel Awards, in these rounds the Awards are given in the following regions: the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Panama was granted awards from an elite audience of leaders of Governments, the Tourism Industry and as well as international journalists. Read More

Reflection of the Trade Forum

The Foreign Trade Minister of Costa Rica mentioned in 2013 that it was a great achievement, that after many years, Panama had decided to join the SIECA (the Central American Integration System) He said that great value has been given with the geopolitical reality of this country that links both oceans. It was a very important step because Panama could help other Central American countries to be more cost effective in Trade-relations with South America through their logistics experience. This could also help the process of economic integration of other countries and therefore strengthening the competition of Central America in an increasingly open world. COMIECO met in Managua on the 4th and 5th of September, and signed a statement of good intentions, which included promises to ‘work on standardization of procedures at border posts and a regional strategy for trade facilitation'. 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.