Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here鈥檚 the latest.
Panama Leader麓s Visit Bolsters Ties with Dominican Republic.
This week, Panama鈥檚 President visited the Dominican Republic in a diplomatic, and strategic mission to build strong ties with the economically growing Caribbean nation. While the countries are already regional neighbors, this is a new step in actually building larger business partnerships that should benefit both countries going forward.
“We have a very broad agenda that we will share as governments. We know the interest of Dominicans to strengthen our cooperation with the Republic of Panama,” the official said in a National Palace press conference.
Rodriguez stressed the close friendship between Varela and president Danilo Medina, which he affirms have been strengthened in meetings abroad.
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Tocumen Airport Elevates Security
Security matters to Panamanians, and in the wake of recent security threats around the world, Panama鈥檚 principal airport has decided to raise its security levels. This is supported by the Panamanian government, which is increasing security all around the county.
This has included increasing baggage scans, said Airport Manager Joseph Fidanque III. He also said that security protocols for contractors working in the airport and for those who聽provide security services to diplomats have been changed.
He said it projects revenues of $178 million, an increase of $53 million from last year. He said costs are expected to drop by 28 percent.
Tocumen expected to issue bonds during the first part of 2016 for $625 million to finance the remainder of the expansion of the facility, which was done by the Brazilian firm Norberto Odebrecht for $800 million.
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Education in Panama: Southern Miss leads state in advancing Panama’s bilingual initiative
The University of Southern Mississippi has recently partnered with the government of Panama to create an educational program that would make Panama鈥檚 public schools bilingual. The goal is to use the United States鈥 higher education system to help create a sustainable model for effective language education in the Central American nation.
“In the last year,聽over 100 Panamanian teachers and students have come to Southern Miss. For most of them, it is the first time that they have been to the United States. So, the potential impact on their lives is very big,鈥 Miles said.
鈥淭hey can learn English, make friends, immerse themselves in American culture and go back to their classrooms in 笔补苍补尘谩 with first-hand accounts of life in the United States.聽Plus, if they have a positive experience, the potential to return to Southern Miss聽is even greater,” he added.
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Panama鈥檚 Western Suburbs to be transformed by 鈥淐ity of Hope鈥
Panama鈥檚 largest mass residential development just broke ground this month, and hopes are high for what it will bring. The project, known as 鈥淐ity of Hope鈥, will bring affordable housing and new economic development to Panama鈥檚 western suburb of Arraijan. In our latest blog, we go over some of the benefits of what this new project is to bring.
What 鈥淐ity of Hope鈥 plans to add, and contribute to Panama鈥檚 western suburbs
The City of Hope development will house just over 11,000 people in condominium-style apartments with five levels to each building, and two apartment model types. There will be 2,250 individual housing units spread over 36 hectares of land. But the City of Hope project goes far beyond just affordable housing. The project will also include two schools, a community center, sports complex, and new roads connecting to the outside area, essentially creating a more agreeable, productive space for Arraijan residents who are in need of it.
Continue reading about Panama’s western suburb development.
