ECLAC: "In 2018, Panama will be the economy that will record the highest rate of expansion"

ECLAC: "In 2018, Panama will be the economy that will record the highest rate of expansion"

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) updated its regional economic projections for the year 2018 in April, noting that "Panama will be the economy that will record the highest rate of expansion."

In its report, released on April 11, ECLAC highlighted that considering the Latin American countries, Panama is ahead of the Dominican Republic (5.0%) and Nicaragua (5.0%). He did not go into detail about the prospects projected for each country.

What he did say was that the projections of activity for Latin America and the Caribbean take place in an international context "more favorable than in recent years".

Despite this, he continued, "important uncertainties persist regarding protectionist tendencies, financial dynamics and geopolitical risks".

In fact, "in several countries that have been growing at moderate rates, there will be an acceleration in economic activity: Chile (3.3%), Colombia (2.6%) and Peru (3.5%), according to the updated forecasts".

From Capital Financiero

Regional projections

As for the regional average "expansion" for this 2018, ECLAC projected 2.2%, after growing 1.2% last year, the UN agency reported.

Meanwhile, the economies of South America would grow 2.0% (compared to 0.8% in 2017), mainly as a result of the greater dynamism that Brazil will present (2.2%), ECLAC said in a statement.

For the Central American economies, the forecast for a growth rate of 3.6% is also maintained, above the 3.4% recorded in 2017, said ECLAC.

The construction of the Amador Convention Center (CCA) is up by 68% to date.

The construction of the Amador Convention Center (CCA) is up by 68% to date

Recently the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) made a tour of the works of this project with representatives of the Chamber of Tourism of Panama (Camtur), the Panamanian Association of Hotels and the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama.

During the day, held on April 4, it was reported that structural work is currently being completed and is in the final stages of the building's roof or roof.

In addition, the glass windows have been installed 50% and the installation of some exterior structures begins.

Escalators and much of the fire-fighting system of the banquet and exhibition buildings have also been installed.

The same applies to the installation of elevators and the ducts of air conditioners.

From Capital Financiero

The arrival of cruise passengers to the Amador marina grows

The arrival of cruise passengers to the Amador marina grows

During the first quarter of this year, the Amador marina received a total of 35 cruises, of which 16,349 passengers disembarked, which represents an increase of more than 50% taking into account that for the same period of 2017 24 cruise ships arrived and 6,122 passengers disembarked. This was indicated by Ana Sánchez, marketing manager of Fuerte Amador.

Cruise travelers arriving at the Amador causeway make a city tour and visit the Casco Antiguo, the Panama Canal and the Biomuseo, explained Stephany Castro, cruise coordinator of Ancon Expeditions of Panama.

Tours

Cruises usually travel through the Caribbean visiting Guna Yala and Bocas del Toro; others go to Coiba and Darién, as well as Barro Colorado and Punta Culebra.

The ATP details that cruise passengers on the Pacific side spend a daily average of $ 150 between the hours they remain in the country, in transportation and purchases.

From Capital Financiero

New cruise port

Currently, a new cruise terminal in the area of Isla Perico is being built in Amador.

The project was awarded last year by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) through public tender, to the Cruceros del Pacífico consortium, made up of the Belgian company Jan De Nul and the China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC).

This new port, which is expected to be ready in 2019, will have two docks in which two cruise ships with a capacity of up to five thousand passengers each will be able to dock simultaneously.

The Tocumen International Airport, the best in Central America, according to World Airport Awards 2018

The Tocumen International Airport, the best in Central America, according to World Airport Awards 2018

The Tocumen International Airport was awarded the "Best Airport in Central America and the Caribbean" at the World Airport Awards, held at the Expo passenger terminal in Stockholm, Sweden on March 21, 2018.

By Capital Financiero

In addition, the Tocumen International Airport received the "Best Staff and Passenger Service" award.

Skytrax executive director Edward Plaisted said these awards are proof of how much the airport improves to optimize customer service standards to be recognized as the "Best Airport in Central America and the Caribbean region."

The awards are widely considered the benchmark of quality for the global airport industry, evaluating customer services and facilities at 550 airports, detailed in a press release.

The awards are based on 13.7 million airport questionnaires that were completed by more than 100 nationalities of airport clients during the survey period.

It was carried out between August 2017 and February 2018, evaluating the experiences of travelers in different airport services and key indicators of product performance, from billing, arrivals, transfers, purchases, security and immigration to the exit door in the airport. Boarding gate.

Skytrax at the World Airport Awards, awarded the prize for the best airport in the world to Shanghai Chagi Airports.