I can remember when I came here in 2006, one of the places that I wanted to visit was Howard Air Force Base and Kobe Hills where my parents and I first lived in Panama. I actually found the home where I spent the first two years of my life. Today, that home has been replaced by a thriving community and Howard is now Panama Pacifico.
Site Selection magazine has named Panama Pacifico one of the Best to Invest Top Agencies for 2015 in Latin America and Caribbean market
The magazine is a premier global economic development publication that provides CEOs, development planners, and corporate executives of real estate with news and information on all aspects of the business-location process.
“The Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area is pleased to be recognized as a top investment promotion agency,” said Leo González, Panama Pacific Administrator. “The award acknowledges our dedication to attracting global companies to locate and expand in one of the world’s largest mixed-use development projects.”
The Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area has had a significant economic impact in terms of attracting companies to Panama, where they have created new quality employment. Companies that have operations within business services, logistics, maritime and aviation services, and high value manufacturing enjoy the full suite of special incentives.
Winners of the Site Selection 2015 Best to Invest Top Agency awards were judged on the following criteria:
- Most professionally responsive to investor inquiries
- Most knowledgeable and linguistically diverse staff
- Most access to user-friendly databases of sites and incentives
- Best information on timing expectations for permitting and other processes
- Best access to recent investors in the region for testimonials
- Best reputation for protecting investor confidentiality
- Best reputation for after-care services
“With more than 365,000 sq. ft. of available Class A office space available at the International Business Park (IBP) and PanAmerica Corporate Center (PCC), the Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area acts as a one-stop shop to streamline the procedures for conducting business in the area. This exclusive service for registered companies connects them with over 18 government agencies to expedite procedures onsite, including migration and 24/7 customs,” said Henry Kardonski, General Manager London & Regional.
About Panama Pacifico
Panama Pacifico is a mixed-use master planned community located on the western bank of the Panama Canal and just 15 minutes from downtown Panama City. Developed by London & Regional Panama, a joint venture by British company London & Regional Properties and Southstone Investments, the project is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the world with 3,450 acres (1,400 hectares) of land assets. Panama Pacifico has quickly become a vital business hub and world-class global logistics center for leading multinational corporations seeking a competitive position in the Americas. More than 220 companies have already set up operations in Panama Pacifico. For more information, visit http://www.panamapacifico.com.
What do you know about the replacement bridge for the Bridge of the Americas? When is construction supposed to start? How long will it take to build? Costs? Design?
My father and I hunted all the hills, swamps and jungles surrounding Howard. My dad was high up in Customs at the time, so he had keys to gates and access to areas not many others could go. There used to be a huge antenna field (may still be there) that stretched from Rodman, all the way through Farfan, and into the bottom of Howard. It was almost all saw grass, growing along miles of drainage ditches and dredging fill. He accidentally burned that whole thing down after a hunting trip one day. I was out at Perlas on the Sea Scout boat and we saw the smoke. It looked liked Panama City was on fire. It was a gigantic fire that threatened Howard itself. He never told me about his involvement in it. One of his hunting buddies told me years later at a Reunion in Florida. As far as I know, no damage was done and it’s just a funny story now.