Pedasi Iguana Reserve An area comprising of 52 hectares and located within the province of Los Santos, in Pedasi is that of Iguana Island, a wildlife refuge. The area was declared a wildlife refuge in 1981 by the Government of Panama, which serves as an area for the protection of the various species located here. The area has been heralded by researchers as being one of the most biodiverse, offering tourism and fishing resources that are really unparalleled in the world. The coral reef which ... Read Full Story

Pearl Islands get Floating Boutique Hotel November marks the date for the addition of a new boutique hotel to Panama’s impressive portfolio of resorts, hotels and accommodations. The hotel takes the form of a cruise ship, built in Germany and named The Sea Voyager. The Sea Voyager, which will cruise around the Peal Islands Archipelago will offer the benefits of private yacht-like facilities and ambience, with a maximum guest capacity of 64 guests, accommodated in 33 rooms on the three d... Read Full Story

Building permits soar, to beat 20 year tax exemption The number of building permits issued in June 2009 was almost four times the amount issued over the same period in 2008. According to the Comptroller General the significant increase in building permits issued, which amount to $550 million is largely due to the looming deadline of the 20 year tax exemption. This pattern of rushing at the last minute to get the permits before the deadline has been repeated year on year for the preceding deca... Read Full Story

Why Iran is No Good for Latin America External involvement in Iran has continued to draw criticism from various quarters, however with the recent and apparently blatant fraudulent activities around the recent elections, many of the critics are now raising an eyebrow and considering alternative viewpoints on the country of Iran. Clashes between government forces and their own citizens, voicing concerns over alleged fraud and corruption within the recent elections has resulted in the loss of a ... Read Full Story

Panama City Rental Pricing Declines Panama City has developed significantly over the years, with the addition of a multitude of construction initiatives, both from a residential and commercial perspective which has changed the skyline of Panama on a continual basis, and will continue to do so as Panama continues to develop and gain in popularity as both a tourism and business destination. If one considers the cost of living, as well as the bargains that could be had in Panama with respect to ... Read Full Story

Panama Imports Majority of US Rebar Exports The United States Iron and Steel Institute reported significant increases of rebar export figures over the months of May and June, which nearly doubled over the period. The Steel Business briefing further advised that the majority of the increased export of the rebar had gone to Panama, which received 18 263 tons in June, from zero in May and only 1 483 tons in April. Although analysts believe the rebar is for the planned canal expansions project an... Read Full Story

Panama’s Tax Standing In terms of the region, within which Panama is situated, being that of the Central and Latin American markets, the relative position of Panama in terms of current tax standing as compared to surrounding countries is neither the highest or lowest but rather average as represented by their tax burden being recorded at 16,6% of Gross Domestic Product. Compared to Venezuela at 17%, Bolivia at 20%, Costa Rica at 22,5% and Chile at 21%. Analysts believe that in order to ... Read Full Story

Pope Benedict XVI invited to Panama The President of Panama, Mr. Ricardo Martinelli formerly invited the Pope, His Holiness Benedict XVI, to visit Panama after a visit to the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo. Martinelli also met with Tarcision Bertone S.D.B and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, who occupy the positions of Cardinal Secretary of State and Secretary for Relations with States respectively. The meetings between the dignitaries were focused on both the regional and international eco... Read Full Story

Al Gore in Panama Al Gore’s sensational ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ lecture will be delivered by the now world renowned environmental activist Mr. Gore himself. Al Gore who served as Vice President in the United States, under President Bill Clinton, has made a significant name for himself within the environmental movement, after the release and acclaimed success of the documentary movie of the same name. The documentary was premiered at the well known Sundance Film Festival and ... Read Full Story

Telecommunications Security Law The debate regarding telecommunications security, within which operators of telephones, cellular phones and internet providers will be required to retain information of the users of their services. Concerns regarding the invasion of privacy have arisen at the mention of this proposed Law Number 28, of which the Ministry of Government and Justice stated that this was not an attempt at legalization of such privacy invasion, nor wiretapping of any telephone conver... Read Full Story