News From Panama…February 2016

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hello everyone,

Your monthly Panama Insider missive has been mailed to your inboxes today, but we had so much news to share that we’re posting an addendum here. Feel free to post feedback/comments/questions about the monthly news missives here, and thanks for reading!

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

NEWS FROM PANAMA…FEBRUARY 2016

• Summer events: Marathons and other outdoor events proliferate this time of year, as it’s summer—that means sunny, dry weather through April. In fact, an Ironman competition was just held right here, in Panama! Dubbed Ironman 70.3, it featured a swim of just over a mile, a nearly 55-mile bike trek, and a 13-mile run. For less intense outdoor summer fun, try Musicalion, a series of events that runs throughout the latter half of February in Panama City’s Omar Park. There’ll be yoga, concerts, salsa, and more! Access the schedule at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalionPTY/info/?tab=page_info.

• Stable, reliable power: We recently reported that a third transmission line was in the works to augment Panama’s power grid. Now word is that a fourth line will make Panama the region’s most important “energy hub.” Not only does that mean plenty of power for the city’s residents and businesses, but also enough surplus to sell when it’s needed in neighboring countries.

• Is Chiriqui’s Baru district poised for revitalization? At a recent Chiriqui Chamber of Commerce meeting, representatives for food giant Del Monte said the company would invest over $100 million in the Baru district’s banana plantations. New investment, roads and other infrastructure here could help value land and bring more visitors to a part of Chiriqui that has long been forgotten. The “breadbasket province” has attracted expats in droves, primarily to its cool, breezy Boquete sector. But for those looking for even more inexpensive land that is poised to appreciate significantly, the Baru district may be a good bet. We’ll keep you posted as this story develops!

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