Panama Investor Blog

Thank you for your kind thoughts, prayers and support

2011-03-23T22:31:45-05:00

Dear Readers: Thank you all very much for your messages of condolences to me and our family. I am amazed by how many lives Sam was able to touch through his writing. I know how much Sam’s passing has hurt...

Samuel Walker Taliaferro VII

2011-02-17T19:15:35-05:00

June 10th, 1952 – February 17th, 2011 Sam Taliaferro, devoted father and husband, developer, entrepreneur and cherished friend to hundreds of people around the world, passed away early this morning after a two year battle with cancer. Words like “pioneer”...

We Need Your Prayers and Support

2011-02-14T17:01:29-05:00

To All of Sam’s Readers and Friends, I met Sam Taliaferro 10 years ago when he was first starting to create the dream that became Valle Escondido. Over the past six years, Sam has been my colleague, my business partner,...

Something very positive may come from my battle with cancer

2011-02-03T17:33:52-05:00

Writing a blog takes a great deal of time, but I love doing it because it serves a number of purposes. It gives me an opportunity to share my views and because so many of you read it, it also...

Panama's big ambition-Science & Research

2011-02-03T16:35:16-05:00

For many it will be surprising to hear that Panama is diligently working to become a center for biological research and development, but it is true. I work with on a project with Dr. Ruben Berrocal Timmons, who is secretary...

Italians 'dodged tax' on 50 bln of income in 2010-Panama a recipient?

2011-02-03T16:16:20-05:00

According to this article Panama is one of the recipients of Italian tax dodgers and the Italian government is not happy about it. Governments around the world are going everywhere to get more money to keep them in power and...

Jail for mistreating animals in Panama

2011-02-03T16:07:23-05:00

As an animal lover I have happy to see some laws to protect them from abuse. I just hope they don't cary it too far. I have not seen many instances of animal abuse in Panama, but I hear it...

New Howard Johnson Hotel announced and Wyndham opens

2011-02-03T15:44:46-05:00

Yesterday he laid the first stone of the Howard Johnson hotel to be built in via Argentina and will have 100 rooms The project represents an investment of $ 9 million and should be ready in the third quarter of...

Panama has no lender of last resort, and that's a good thing!

2011-02-03T15:28:32-05:00

This is an opinion piece from La Prensa which gives a good overview of why Panama banks were not and hopefully will not be so affected by the financial crises that has/is affecting the rest of the world. PHILIP CHAPMAN...

Panama will still allow bearer shares but...

2011-02-03T15:18:12-05:00

A new bill that has passed through the assembly seeks to qualm the fears of many foreign investors in Panama who have used bearer shares in the past. The OECD had demanded that Panama eliminate this form of privacy of...

The economy will grow 6.5% in 2011, according to Deloitte

2011-01-30T15:38:03-05:00

Everyone has an opinion (except me) of what Panama growth will be in 2011 and barring any world wide catastrophe it is possible that Deloitte's predestines will be pretty close to the mark. If so it will make Panama's growth...

State collected 14% more in Taxes for 2010

2011-01-30T15:29:59-05:00

Tax revenues grew 14.4% over 2009, but did not reach the budget forecast (-1.7%). ITBMS raising fired after the amendments of the tax reform. Roberto González Jiménez 1502281 roberto.gonzalez@prensa.com The state's income rose in 2010 to $ 5 billion 134...

Panama Pacifico Launches High Tech Office Building

2011-01-30T15:01:07-05:00

Jan 27, 2011 – London & Regional Panama, Master Developer of PANAMA PACIFICO, hosted the formal launch of the fifth office building in the International Business Park (IBP) to over 35 real estate agents and special guests this morning. Located...

Pigs get FTA fast track for South Korea

2011-01-30T14:50:05-05:00

Usually when we think of pork and politics we think of excess spending on pet projects by various politicians in Washington, but pork takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to an FTA with South Korea. I was...

Attorneys consider the effects of the Tax Information Exchange Agreement

2011-01-27T22:52:41-05:00

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? In this case the chicken is the Free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. and the Tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with the U.S.. As has been posted previously, the U.S. plans...

What is economic freedom?

2011-01-26T15:47:37-05:00

"Economic freedom is the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property. In an economically free society, individuals are free to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please, with that freedom...

S. Korea to get FTA but not Panama

2011-01-26T14:10:51-05:00

Reuters anounced today that President Obama is calling for congress to approve the trade agreement with S. Korea, but Panama and Columbia will just have to wait until they get their act together. Seems democrats don't believe Panama is "clean"...

S.C. port authority in hot water over Panama trip

2011-01-26T13:58:55-05:00

A web publication called "The Nerve" carried a story about a number of lawmakers from South Carolina being investigated because of the amount of spending for a two day trip to Panama. Seems the good people of the south are...

FTA means big gain for U.S. farmers

2011-01-26T13:39:24-05:00

While many wonder just what gain Panama will receive from a free trade agreement with the U.S., the farmers in the U.S. are certain they will gain at least $190 million in agricultural exports. One has to wonder what these...

Panama Debt per Capita Growing Dramatically

2011-01-26T13:16:24-05:00

An interesting opinion piece appeared in La Prensa this week from economist Franklin Arias that caught my attention. Although the public debt is minuscule by U.S. standards, it is significant in its increase per capita when coupled with the lack...