US - Panama Business Council
Southeast Chapter Newsletter
September 2009 |
Welcome to USPA-SE second newsletter. This is a very exciting time for U.S. Panama business opportunities. USPA - SE is working hard to promote bilateral business relationships between companies in Panama and Southeastern U.S. companies.
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information about USPA-SE activities and business
opportunities for U.S. and Panamanian companies. |
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USPA-USA, USPA-SE, and USPA-SW met for talks in Houston
On Tuesday, September 1, 2009, John W. Wallace, Jr. USPA SE Chairman and Luis R. Hall, USPA SE President, met with Juan Sosa in Houston, Texas at the Greater Houston Partnership office to discuss the current status and future direction of USPA. Attendees:
John Wallace, Chairman SE Chapter
Luis Hall, President SE Chapter
Adsinar Cajar, President SW Chapter
Juan B. Sosa, President USPA USA
Juan introduced Adsinar Cajar, the new President of USPA Southwest Chapter. Adsinar was the former Consul General of Panama for the Houston office. Juan discussed an exciting calendar of events including Panama Week 2009
on the 14-16 of October in Washington DC, ExpoTrans is scheduled for May 2010, Panama Spectacular scheduled for February 2010 and more. |
Second Strategy Meeting Scheduled for USPA - SE and USPA Panama
 In a June meeting this year, USPA-SE and USPA-Panama held talks about working closer together to promote business between the two countries. A
follow-up meeting is scheduled for the week of September 20th to further nail down how these two organizations can work together to
facilitate trade between businesses in the U.S. and businesses in Panama. USPA-SE President Luis Hall, and the USPA Board member Henry Johns hope to use these meetings to start discussions on how to best share information and to
facilitate business leads among members of the two Chapters. Annette Cardenas, President of USPA Panama (on left) and Luis Hall, President of USPA-SE (on right). |
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USPA - SE Chairman in San Jose, Costa Rica, to meet with the Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistics Institute (GTSCL)
August 20/21, 2009, USPA-SE's Chairman, John W. Wallace, Jr. was in San Jose, Costa Rica, to meet with the Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistics Institute (GTSCL) personnel about operations in Panama. GTSCL is the largest supply chain and logistics research and education program in the world with more than thirty participating faculty, including seven chaired professors and three members of the National Academy of Engineering.
The first Trade-chain Innovation and Productivity (TIP) Center was established in Singapore more than ten years ago. A global network of TIPs will enable a comprehensive program focused on: 1) developing insights, strategies and methodologies to improve the productivity of existing trade-chains, 2) promoting innovation for identifying and enabling new trade-chain opportunities, and 3) providing education relating to trade-chain infrastructure, innovation and productivity.
According to Mr. Wallace, GTSCL would like to work out how to be in Panama to evaluate and advise on efficiencies, best practices and overall improvement in the supply chain & logistics arena. This would involve all elements within Panama, ports, Canal, airports, facilities, railroad and the like. It has nothing but positive implications for Panama. |
Date: 26-AUG-2009
DETAILS ON THE FOURTH DRY EXCAVATION PROJECT ANNOUNCED PANAMA CITY, Panama
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) hosted interested bidders for a site visit and pre-tender meeting for the fourth dry excavation expansion contract (PAC-4) this week. As the second largest and most complex project after the new set of locks, the contract represents more than 50 percent of the total excavation for the new access channel linking the new Pacific locks with the waterway's existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch of the Panama Canal). More on this can be found at http://www.acp.gob.pa/eng/pr/press-releases/2009/08/26/pr354.html
Date: 18-AUG-2009
Panama Canal Authority Issues Notice to Commence
WORK BEGINS AUGUST 25
PANAMA CITY, Panama August 18, 2009 - The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reached a critical milestone for the Canal Expansion Program moving ahead on time and on budget. Culminating months of arduous work, the ACP received Grupo Unidos por el Canal's (GUPC) performance and payment bonds and signed the contract. Today, ACP Executive Manager and Locks Project Management Division and Contracting Officer Jorge de la Guardia issued the Notice to Commence work slated for August 25, 2009.
Panama and Canada Sign Free Trade Agreement
Panama and Canada on Tuesday signed a free trade agreement (FTA) after the conclusion of bilateral trade talks. The deal was signed by Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "The FTA between Panama and Canada represents a good opportunity to export our products, the goods we produce and the services we give," Martinelli said after signing the agreement.
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Calendar of Events
September 22-25 Georgia Ports Trade Mission Panama
October 14-15 Expologistica 2009 Panama
October 14-16 USPA Panama Week Washington | |
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Sincerely,
Luis Hall - President
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USPA-SE Welcomes Bill Hawks to Board |
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Welcome to our new "Corporate Advisory" board member Bill Hawks, CEO, Ag Works Solutions and Former United States, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. As a Board member he plans to utilize his experience in agriculture business and government to expand the USPA-SE involvement in areas of agriculture, specifically trade related areas.
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| U.S. Consulate Changes |
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Nicholas Kuchova, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy, Panama City accepted a position in Helsinki, Finland as of August 28, 2009.
USPA-SE want to say thanks for his support and wish him the best of luck in his new position. Nicholas is replaced by Jeane Zuniga, our new contact person at the U.S. Embassy in Panama. (Pictured above from left to right Luis Hall, Nicholas Kuchova, Juan Sosa)
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