Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Panama tourism and investment meetings

Like every small country, who you know can make a difference in how easy is your entry into the Panamanian market. These 3 events provide opportunities to network with Panamanians and foreigners active in the foreign and private sectors.


August 23, 2007
AmCham Events, Sponsorships and Notes
Telephone +507-301-3881; Fax +507-301-3882
Ocean Business Plaza, 17th Floor, Avenida Aquilino de la Guardia

AmCham’s Seventh Annual Tourism Forum will be held on September 19 at the InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa. This year we are inviting the renowned expert on global business for Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Dr. Rohit Talwar, to discuss trends in world tourism business. In addition, there will be five speakers from Panama and the United States, including Panama’s Minister of tourism Rubén Blades, who will participate in the round table discussion with Dr. Talwar at the end of their presentations. We will have two levels of sponsorship this year: The Gold Sponsorship will entitle the company to three tickets to the forum, its logo on all advertising, its banner in the event room and a table at the entrance to market its products; The Platinum Sponsorship will include 15 tickets to a private dinner with Dr. Talwar on the evening of the 19th and ten tickets to the event plus the logo, advertising and banner. The cost of tickets for the event is $50.00 per person. Payment must be made at the Chamber by September 17. Space is limited. For reservations, call Aileen at 301-3881 or e‑mail amcham @ panamcham.com.

Panama Week 2007 Conference. USPA will hold its annual Panama Week Conference in Washington DC on October 18-19 at the Westin Embassy Row Hotel. The conference will include Forums on Trade & Investment and Transportation & the Expansion of the Panama Canal, the traditional Gala “Friendship Dinner” at the Organization of American States, a Power Breakfast on the Trade Promotion Agreement, meetings at the U.S. Department of Commerce and lunch at the Embassy of Panama hosted by Panama’s Ambassador to Washington, H.E. Federico Humbert.
A rooming block has been reserved at the Westin Embassy Row hotel for participants at a special rate of $309 plus tax. Make reservations through USPA.


FIABCI’s 2007 Congress of the Americas will take place in Panama City 31 October – 2nd November. FIABCI is an international real estate federation of 100 real estate associations and represented by chapters in 48 countries according to the FIABCI website, including FIABCI-Panama.
The Congress will be held at the Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Centre. Early registration fees for members will be US$ 300. Early registration fees for Young Members will be US$ 150.
Additional information is available from USPA.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Town hall meetings on new skyscrapers are open to property owners


Following the succesful lobbying by neighbors of El Cangrejo against skyscrapers, the Ministry of Housing (MIVI) is having a number of town hall meetings (cabildos) in order to have the opinions of residents for and against additional construction.
Neighbors rejected 3 out 4 zoning changes proposed in Bella Vista, where older homes in 2-lane streets are being demolished every week to make way for skyscrapers and restaurants with insufficient parking.
The calendar of meetings scheduled by MIVI are:
.27 AUGUST: San Francisco (includes Paitilla and Boca la Caja).
.28 AUGUST: Juan Díaz (includes everything at each side of the Southern Corridor starting from Costa del Este).
.31 AUGUST: Parque Lefevre (includes Panama Viejo).
.3 SEPTEMBER: Pedregal.
.4 SEPTEMBER: Las Cumbres (includes Cerro Azul).
.5 SEPTEMBER: 2nd Bella Vista meeting.
.6 SEPTEMBER: 24 de Diciembre (includes parts of Tocumen).
Foreigners cannot vote in Panama elections, but as property owners they can participate in these town hall meetings.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Lawsuits against developers increase

Our friends at the Consumer Authority inform that 183 complaints have been filed against several developers for defects in apartments. The champs in complaints are:
35 complaints from Urband (sic) Land Corp. (Grupo Los Pueblos)
16 Procasa
8 Sucasa
6 Centenario Don Juan
6 Inmobiliaria Royal Hill, S.A.
3 Construtec, Inc.
5 Green Bay Plaza, S.A.

BM Real Estate, Inc., Inmobiliaria Green Bay Plaza and Inversiones Ventaviv were wise enough to settle with their complainants.

More in the Spanish press release
http://www.autoridaddelconsumidor.gob.pa/pdf/NP_QuejascontrainmobiliariassedisparanenlaAutoridad_10agosto07MA.pdf

In the meantime, the National Council of Housing Promoters (CONVIVIENDA) claim that they will submit to the Authority a model promise agreement meant to be free of abusive clauses. We went to their webpage and asked for a copy of the agreement. Maybe the agreement will take the CON out of CONVIVIENDA...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Bar Association continues prosecution of malpractice cases




Several attorneys were served notice of several complaints filed by disgruntled clients before the Honor Tribunal of the Bar Association. These attorneys had avoided service so they were served through a public notice posted at the association offices.

Although the Honor Tribunal finds several attorneys guilty of ethics violations and recommends their disbarment or suspension by the Supreme Court, the Court is reluctant to render a prompt decision.