Fitch Ratings revised its outlook on the Republic of Panama to positive from stable, citing growth momentum and fiscal consolidation, which has put Panama's public and external debt indicators on a downward path.

Ya entrada la noche, El conservatorio de New England, Tia Fuller Quartet, Dino Nugent y Marco Pignataro, así como Catherine Russell y Stanley Jordan Trio hacían sus presentaciones a un público que pedía más, conocedores que aplaudían con solo escuchar las primeras notas de cada tema...

Panama is investing more than $4 million dollars on airport infrastructure all around the country. At the same time, new carriers are adding up and current ones are increasing routes and flights. France is now only 10 hours away, KLM will start direct flights into Amsterdams hub in February.

I think these pictures speak for themselves.... For those who didn´t make it, don´t be too jealous, this could be you, just don´t forget to plan for next year!!!!!

Experts say the biggest investment potential is in the emerging markets – in particular the likes of Bulgaria and even Panama, Egypt, Brazil and China. The past 3 years have seen a surge in interest in less traditional overseas property destinations, according to HiFX’s Annual Global Property Hot Spots roundup.

Panama Real Estate Investment: This is a small project which we hope plant the seed for a big change and help raise the bar in developments in the area. It will be the first project in the old city to have...

Cinta Costera Panama: For those who thought it would never happen, or that it would take ages... it is real and going forward at full speed. What does it means for Casco Viejo residents and investors?

http://ping.blo.gs/?name=example&url=http://example.com/.

You open the newspaper anywhere in the world (Panama is not the exception!) and all you see is trouble. Get to the "international" section and you are splashed with the blood of all the current conflicts overseas, which are, sad enough, many.  The environment is suffering no matter what people say or don´t say and everything sounds so apocaliptic it makes you unsensitive. It surpasses your level of caring. What can I do? I´m just one person. Problems are just so overwhealming. We have too many of our own problems to be worrying about water, pollution, poverty and war.

But then I get to work, to my "mini" environment, to those small things I can control and contribute. From home composting to donating courses for low income families to get their children to the Scouts or the mothers back to school. Small details that change their lives forever, a great return for little money and a lot of good will. 

One of the things I enjoy the most from living, working and investing in Casco Viejo is that it gives me the opportunity to help others around me. I didn´t have that compelling thrive when I lived outside Casco. The phrase "To Live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy" was confined to teaching ballet the best I could to my young students.

But in Casco Viejo you can be the difference. And the multiplying effect is almost immediate.

Families growing happier, step by step taking control of their lives. Children learning new skills with a smile on their face. Buildings getting restored, history recovered. A city coming back to life.

At the end of the day, we don´t need to save the world. We only need to save as much as our street. Not even our neighborhood! that will fall naturally. Sometimes I think the problem is when people say: either I go for the big stuff or I don´t do it at all. Well... Big stuff is important, but starting on the lower level sometimes is more meaningful and creates the basis for the big stuff to happen when things are ready.

And what do I gain? directly: happy neighbors! In my own small way, I believe a better neighborhood makes for a better country and a better future.

 

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Panama, Santa Ana: Wonderful suprise when I opened this week´s Mosaico: an article featuring Salsipuedes! One of my favorite streets in Santa Ana, where you can find anything from books, panamanian folkloric dresses and jewelry to vodoo dolls... no kidding!!! you can even get a haircut while someone reads your future. So here it is.. Salsipuedes, or "get out if you can"....

Summer activities in Casco Antiguo, organized by the cultural agency of the French Embassy and with Oficina del Casco Antiguo. All sorts of stuff, from french cinema at the ruins of Arco Chato to a capella sacred music at San Francis church. Take note!

This is one of the things I enjoy most of living in Casco Viejo: there is always an interesting cultural event going on. Last sunday it was Drum Fest... a loud but very enjoyable (somehow) event where hearts pumped at the drums of all sorts of musicians. Preparing for Jazz Fest?

Panama Real Estate Investments: In 2007, Panamanian economy grew 9.5%. This is Panama´s 4th year of sustained growth where the GNP per person has incremented 7.7%. Public debt was reduced (from 61% to 54%) and public investment increased. Find out more!

Is Panama on its way to become the new Hong Kong of Latin America? a wild thought, and quite unthinkable ten years ago... but not all that crazy these days. The Canal Expansion alone is generating masive amount of business, but ironically it is only one of many other indicators that are either at the same volume or more. A well balanced economy, in the middle of the America´s Continent. It´s rapidly becoming the best hub to access the region. See some numbers for 2007 here...