Lonely Planet selects Panama as one of the best 10 countries to visit in 2019

Lonely Planet selects Panama as one of the best 10 countries to visit in 2019

Adventurers who are planning their next trip need look no further than Panama which has just been voted among the 10 best countries to visit in 2019, according to the new edition of the Lonely Planet travel guide on the ten countries that are beginning to awaken the imagination of travelers.

velers. In its ranking, “Best in Travel 2019: the 10 best countries”, Lonely Planet chooses Panama as the fourth best country to visit and shows a brief review of its benefits with a photograph of colorful coral reefs in Bocas del Toro and its exact location on a map of the region.

The first on the list is Sri Lanka, followed by Germany, Zimbabwe, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, Indonesia, Belarus, Sao Tome and Principe and Belize The guide points out that for such a small country Panama has much variety to offer, including white sand beaches, tropical forests, misty highlands and indigenous cultures so that “It’s surprising that somehow it’s still under the radar.”

In addition, it indicates that in 2019 Panama City is committed to celebrate “as never before” its 500th anniversary with a “strident” jubilee that you do not want to miss. “Viva Panama !”

In addition to the ranking of the best countries to visit, each year Lonely Planet also selects the ten best cities, regions and qualityprice destinations.

Lonely Planet started as a travel guide for trips around the world. Today it is one of the largest publishers of travel guides with nearly 600 titles published and 120 million books printed in 11 languages. It also has a television studio, website and two mobile applications.

Panama was also chosen by the National Geographic magazine as an ideal place to visit during the spring of 2018. European tourists are starting to discover this small country. Direct flights from the Tocumen International Airport to Europe have given the the Isthmus more visibility.

By: The Visitor

Panama, on the lookout for global growth

Panama, on the lookout for global growth

If the world economy grows 3.1 percent this year, probably Panama will have better trade with other countries.

The growth of 3.1% of the world economy, a more robust percentage than in 2017, should benefit the Panamanian economy as a service country; however, if it weakens, so will the results for the country.

Earlier this year, the World Bank predicted that the world economy would grow 3.1%, however, organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned that the global economy could have weakened more than expected due to trade tensions between China and the United States.

Last month, the IMF lowered its global growth forecast for 2018 and 2019 to 3.7%, against the 3.9% calculated earlier. Meanwhile, the global economic outlook that the OECD draws is not very encouraging. The OECD predicts that next year the global economy will begin a slowdown as a result of the commercial tensions, basically, due to the tariff dispute between the United States and China, the stricter financial conditions and the impact of oil prices.

Increase

3.8 percent will grow Panama this year, according to the forecasts of Indesa.

3.1% Panama's economy grew in the first six months of this year.

The protagonists of this trade war, China and the United States, do not escape from reality. AChina is estimated to have GDP growth of 6.6% in 2018 and 6.3% in 2019, one tenth less than what was estimated in the previous report of the OECD.

In the American case, it will be 2.9% this year and 2.7% next year. Both fall in 2020 to 6% and 2.1%, respectively.

The president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep) of Panama, Severo Sousa, emphasizes that to the extent that world markets have better economic climate, it is more likely that Panama has a better trade with them for being a country globalized and that exports mainly services. Olmedo Estrada, president of the Association of Economists of Panama, agrees with these proposals, saying that while the economies are beginning to recover globally, this is a good sign for countries like Panama, which depend on the economies to improve their condition.

He explains that when economies are growing very low, they do not have the resources to buy goods and services from other countries. So if the economies of Central and South America begin to grow, it means that they are in a healthy condition and have the resources to buy goods and services from other countries.

If the growth of 3.1% is achieved worldwide, a positive message is sent to the world and to those countries that make strategic commercial alliances to increase economic activities.

Perspectives

Although this year the Panamanian economy has shown signs of weakening and could grow below 4%, the outlook for 2019 is still above 5%, even close to 6%, explained the economist.

Estrada indicates that this is due to the fact that this year, due to the strike of the workers of the National Union of Construction Workers (Suntracs), they stopped producing close to 900 million dollars and its impact on the economy has left negative numbers this year. Reason why the estimated 5% will not be reached.

For the other year, it is unknown what situations or phenomena may appear, but it is expected that investments in mining, the development of ports, the Panama Canal, the financial center and logistics that are marking very positive dynamics will help in 2019 you have a strong and robust economy and with the prospect of growing more.

By: Panama America

Panama, one of the Best Places in the World to Retire

Panama, one of the Best Places in the World to Retire

According to the 2018 Annual Global Retirement Index, of the ten best places to live in the world, seven are in Latin America and among them is Panama, a place where you can live a healthier and happier life, spending little and obtaining many benefits in your favor.,

By The Visitor

Panama is a modern and practical country, situated close to the United States. Panama City is a destination which offers”exciting meals, jazz, movies, golf, tennis and much more”. It continues to grow daily and is becoming more attractive for tourists. Its people are friendly and welcoming, which gives a special touch to this small, but great country.

The lush mountain villages in the highlands of Chiriqui are among the best retirement destinations in the world. Expats in Panama have explained that they are much happier and healthier since they made the move. 

In the interior of the country, things become much better in terms of costs. It is possible to live on a budget of about $1500 per month, or even less. Regarding the payment of basic services; garbage collection is between $10 and $25 per month; mobile phone services and internet between $30 and $ 45 per month, aspects that make this country much more attractive. Another positive point for Panama is that retired foreigners do not pay any income tax on their earnings in their country of origin. 

This list of positive things that the country offers is what has made it attractive for foreigners looking for a place to retire. Some aspects which are eye-catching and rouse interest in residing in Panama are: the basic economic services provided, access to health and high tech. and adequate salaries, among many others.

Chamber of Commerce expects economic growth to be above 5 percent this year

Chamber of Commerce expects economic growth to be above 5 percent this year

For businessmen, it is important to ensure the conditions that allow the growth of the economy to more than 5% this year.

The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama asked not to lose more time in complaints and lamentations about what has stopped being done in the country and move to concrete actions, which bring with them the changes that demand the needs and realities of the national environment .

By Panama America

For businessmen, it is important to ensure the conditions that allow the growth of the economy to more than 5% this year. "Panama must move towards structural and organic modernization that demands the dimension and importance that currently scales on the international scene," they point out.

In the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce, this depends on the future vision of those who aspire to conduct national affairs and their capacity as statesmen to take, from promises to practice, their electoral offers.

Employers are committed to work, while monitoring the transparency and accountability of the next government.

Juliette Passer, Esq. is Recognized as an NACD Board Leadership Fellow

Juliette Passer, Esq. is Recognized as an NACD Board Leadership Fellow

NACD Fellows Demonstrate Their Commitment to the Highest Level of Leadership in the Boardroom

New York, New York, December 20, 2018 – International Project Development Group today announced that the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) recently recognized Juliette Passer, CEO and General Counsel, as an NACD Board Leadership Fellow. NACD Fellows, who earn NACD Fellowship—The Gold Standard Director Credential^®— stand within the highest echelon of those committed to excellence in the boardroom.  

As the highest standard of credentialing for directors and governance professionals, NACD Fellowship is a comprehensive and continuous program of study that empowers Fellows with the latest insights, intelligence, and leading boardroom practices—year after year.

“I am honored to join the distinguished and diverse group of individuals who make up the NACD Fellow community and who are committed to advancing the highest standards of boardroom excellence,” said Juliette Passer. “The resources, insights, and connections I’ve made through NACD Fellowship will be key assets to the companies I serve, as well as to my professional growth as a director.”

Juliette Passer is an accomplished senior executive steeped in International, and the ability to help companies accelerate their penetration and growth in the United States and abroad. She has performed successfully in that role for over twenty-five years, also serving as counsel to the legal implications and nuances of these expansions. Juliette has extensive experience on numerous private and non-profit Boards and brings a unique business and legal understanding of international business transactions and business and political environments in architecting cross-border investments. She is particularly adept knowledgeable in markets, including the former USSR, Eastern and Western Europe, China, Turkey, and Panama.

“We are proud to announce that Juliette Passer has joined NACD’s credentialed directors and has taken the next step in the pursuit of boardroom excellence,” said Peter Gleason, CEO of NACD. “Our fellows help advance the highest standards for those who serve in the boardroom, strengthening our businesses, and driving director professionalism. The impact of this program is unmatched, and they should be commended for their ongoing commitment to their own professional development.”

Representing hundreds of today’s largest and most-diverse corporations in the world, NACD Fellows serve on boards of NASDAQ OMX- and NYSE-listed companies such as Baker Hughes Inc., Citigroup Inc., DuPont, Foot Locker Inc., IBM, Lockheed Martin Corp., Microsoft Corp., Nordstrom Inc., Pinnacle Entertainment, SpartanNash Co., UnitedHealth Group Inc., and more.

NACD Fellows provide a snapshot of the caliber of directors engaged in continuous learning with NACD—the recognized authority on leading boardroom practices that more than 17,000 directors rely on to lead with confidence.

To learn more about NACD Fellowship, visit NACDonline.org/Fellowship.