PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION BOOST TO THE ECONOMY

Panama Canal Awards the Largest Expansion Contract Thus Far
Paving the way for construction, the Panama Canal Authority ACP awarded the third and largest expansion contract to dredge the Pacific sea entrance. The ACP kicked off this next phase of expansion awarding the contract to Dredging International. The dredging of the Pacific sea entrance is essential to provide enough draft and width for longer, wider ships to pass and enter the new locks.
"As the third and largest expansion program contract in terms of volume, geographical spread and price awarded to date, the selection of Dredging International is a critical next step in the creation of the new lane. This is a solid, top-tier global dredging firm with the know-how and equipment we need to commence the job at hand and complete it on-time and within budget," said ACP Executive Vice President Engineering and Program Management Jorge Quijano."We received bids from the industry s dredging leaders and now we look forward to issuing the order to proceed to Dredging International over the coming days so that they can begin their mobilization effort promptly.
"Dredging work in the Pacific sea entrance is expected to begin during the third quarter of this calendar year. When expansion concludes, as shown in this rendering of the Pacific sea entrance, the dredging project will widen the Canal s approximate 9 mile-long 14 km navigation channels to a minimum of 715 feet 218 meters and deepen them to a maximum level of -51 feet -15.5 meters Mean Low Water Springs MLWS .
The ACP released its Request for Proposal RFP for the contract August 30, 2007, and previously held site visits and an informational session to answer questions regarding the project. On March 19, three bidders from two countries submitted proposals to dredge the Pacific sea entrance. After a thorough review of the lowest priced proposal, the ACP awarded the contract to Dredging International. The Expansion Program will build a new lane along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships.
About Dredging International
Dredging International is one of the most important dredging companies in the world and its proposal for the Panama Canal includes the utilization of some of the most advanced equipment that the industry has to offer. Dredging International is also working on other important projects around the world such as the construction of Port 2000 in Havre, France and the deepening of channels in Rio de la Plata located at the Argentina and Uruguay border.
Panama Canal Expansion Named Best Long Term Performance Project

• CANAL RECEIVES "STRATEGIC PROJECT OF THE YEAR" award IN Latin america • CANAL DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOGNIZES PANAMANIANS FOR THEIR FORESIGHT
Panama Canal Authority ACP Deputy Administrator/CFO José Barrios Ng was presented with the "Best Long Term Performance Project" and "Strategic Project of the Year" awards for the Panama Canal Expansion Program at the 6th Annual CG/LA Infrastructure Latin-American Forum held at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay. Every year, CG/LA Infrastructure forms a committee to select executives and companies that have demonstrated remarkable strategy, clear vision and prominent ideas to move the region forward.
The panel made up of sponsors from different countries recognizes those executives and companies for their leadership. The Panama Canal Expansion Program received two awards: "Best Long Term Performance," as it will be ongoing for at least five years, and the "Strategic Project of the Year" award in Latin America. Other countries that were also awarded for their infrastructure initiatives were Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.
"We are honored by this recognition and I share this with the best asset of the Canal, our hard-working world-class work force. This award also represents the foresight of all Panamanians whose support has been instrumental in making this project a reality," said Deputy Administrator/CFO José Barrios Ng.
Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships which will transform global trade.

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PANAMA HOTTEST MARKET IN LATIN AMERICA

This article was written by Sherly Diaz
Mega-projects of more than US$14.000 million. Coast Line, Howard, the Canal are already under construction
The development of real estate, construction, tourism, the banking industry and exports, are some of the elements that have favored the economic growth of the country. Although the official numbers are still not known on the economic increment of the country, some experts consider that the economy of Panama surpassed 10%, the highest in Latin America.
In addition, Panama has a privileged geographic location in its favor, the use of the dollar as currency of national circulation and judicial security are amongst other factors which have currently contributed to the creation of mega-projects, with investments that could surpass US$14.000 million. Among some of these projects is the coast line, work that is being done in Panama Bay, with an investment that surpasses US$189 million.
Another of the projects that is a new source of development is to take place at the old Howard air base, which will cost US$705 million. A third project that has gone ahead since last year is the extension of the Panama Canal, with a value of US$5.250 million. A fourth mega-project would be the refinery in the area of Puerto Armuelles, province of Chiriquí, which is to be constructed at a cost of US$8 million. Nevertheless, its future will be decided next August.
Coastal Project
After the proposal was made in June of 2007 in which the Brazilian company Norberto Odebrecht was the winner, works began on the project named Coast Line. The work includes a refill of 25 hectares of the marine bed Panama Bay, a “jetty” or rock wall to mitigate the actions of the sea, the construction of a route 2.6 kilometers in length with four lanes 3.50 meters wide each, and three interchanges or vehicular bridges. The project also contemplates the construction of two elevated viaducts, cyclist and pedestrian sidewalks, as well as a culvert for the cleaning project of Panama Bay.

Native trees also be planted, of at least five meters in height, existing palms and trees in the area of project development will be transplanted, gardens will also be included, water sources, paths and preferential pedestrian walkways which will be of great impact for the architectural landscaping and scenic beauty of Panama City, declared, Carlos Ho, Director of Special Projects of the Public Works Ministry MOP , in an official press release for the organization.
The notice indicates that according to the company’s plan, the sand refilling of the bay will be simultaneously carried out with the construction of the viaducts in the Israel Route, at 3 de Noviembre Avenue, soon after to be followed with the new road and its organization.
This project will be using the highest level of construction technology, one that is only used in the most advanced countries of the world, with the top standards of architecture and urbanization, maximum security guidelines, quality, respect for the environment and public security. The work has a term of 540 calendar days for its construction, that is to say, approximately until the month of April of 2009.
The head of the MOP portfolio, Benjamin Colamarco, commented that the project among other things, improves vehicular flow, increases road capacity, revitalizes Balboa Avenue, increases the value of personal property in its proximity and above all will improve the quality of life for Panamanians. This mega-project seeks to alleviate the vehicular congestion in Balboa Avenue, since 72,000 vehicles circulate daily through this route.
Old Military Base
An industrial area with logistics operations, of businesses and commercial offices, a residential, tourist and of recreational development are part of the project that will unfold in the old military base of Howard. This project will have a total investment of US$705 million, of which US$405 million will be invested in the first eight years and the remaining US$300 million in next 32 years. The construction of the Special Economic Area, Panama Pacific of Howard will be done as part of a key plan that will be executed by the London & Regional Corp, company that is dedicated to property investments and development.
This key plan consists of seven components like a logistical park in center of the city, a technological campus in the district of Farfán, a forested park in Southern Hills and in the Hills of Kobbe. This project will be built in four stages the first of which will be done in eight years and will build 460.00 square meters of commercial area. During this stage a hotel of 500 rooms will also be constructed, a conventions hotel, businesses and another next to a golf course. It is estimated that these works will add around 1,100 room keys.
In the end, it is hoped to have 20,000 residential units. In the first phase of the project 13,000 jobs will be generated to total 35,000 job openings by the end of the undertaking. Up until now, the promoters of this project have had meetings with several interested investors that seek to participate in this new focal point of development, but preferred not to offer greater details until the contracts are finalized.
Canal Expansion
The project of expansion of the Panama Canal, with a third set of locks, whose investment of over US$5.25 million advances in a satisfactory manner. According to a special publication made by El Faro, the internal bulletin of the Panama Canal Authority ACP , the works of expansion were made in November of 2007, marked by the explosion in Cerro Paraiso.
Members of the board of directors as well as affiliates of the Advisory Council of the ACP have a walk through of the earth moving works of the first contract of the expansion of the inter-oceanic route in the Cerro Paraiso, which is responsibility of Constructora Urbana, Corp. CUSA .
The ACP maintains that one of the objectives of this first contract of the expansion is to reduce to the level of the Cerro Paraiso. At the beginning of the project, last September, the elevation was of 136 meters and at this time it registers 84 meters at sea level. As part of this work around a million cubic meters of materials have been removed, which would be the equivalent of filling around 70 soccer fields with a meter of soil.
Those in charge of the project informed that the first contract of dry excavation registered a 24% advance, which is within the plan. The internal bulletin of the ACP also indicated that an advancement of 50% in the cleaning of the 146 polygonal hectares has been done; whereas the relocation of the Boriquen highway has advanced 40%. The ACP also received from the National Environment Authority ANAM the final decree of approval of the category III environmental impact Study.
Through the expansion it would double the capacity of the Canal thus allowing greater traffic. This effort would create new column of traffic in the maritime routes by means of the construction of a third set of locks, which construction must culminate in 2014. The amplification of the Panama Canal includes the construction of two lock berths, one of them located in the Pacific and another on the Atlantic side, each one with three chambers that include three collection pools for recycling of water.
This also implies the excavation of three new access channels to the new locks, the extension of the existing ship navigation channels, the deepening of the navigation channels and the elevation of the maximum level of operation of Gatún Lake. According to the ACP, the project would be self financed by the increase in tolls and would take approximately from seven to eight years to construct. It is estimated that during construction the work will generate 7,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect ones.
Refinery
One of the most ambitious projects for the country is the refinery that is planned for construction in the area of Puerto Armuelles, province of Chiriquí. This refinery with an investment estimated at US$8 million would have capacity to process 350,000 barrels of crude daily.
Not only would it supply the local market but the region, Latin America, the east coast of the United States and the Middle East. In order to materialize this project, the government through The Ministry of Commerce and Industries MICI made a strategic alliance with the companies Qatar Petroleum and Oxy. Qatar is a state company that manages and is responsible of the petroleum and gas industry in the country of the same name and was the first company of the Persian gulf to produce unleaded gas, whereas OXY is the fourth oil company of United States and the largest petroleum producer of Texas.
Nevertheless, the future of the construction of the refinery will be defined in the month of August, when the Foster Wheeler company presents the oil producing companies with the studies of the design of the project. It is expected that the refinery begin operations in 2012. The companies, Oxy and Qatar, contracted the services of the Foster Wheeler engineering and construction company so that they delineate the basic functions of each unit, configuration of the plant, site preparation and infrastructure evaluation, evaluations of manual labor requirements, logistic plans, total cost estimates for the venture, among other things.
It is estimated that during the construction of the refinery more than 5,000 people will be hired, and another 1,000 for operation and manual labor. Alexander Ferrer, MICI professional indicated that “the geographic position of the country is awakening great interest, but main and most attractive thing is without doubt the potential that the project of the refinery represents for the port of Armuelles, with the endorsement of Qatar”.
The representatives of organizations with which the civil servant of the Arab country has met, perceive the refinery as a great project that can transform the economic and social growth of Panama. The architectural landscaping and scenic beauty of Panama City, declared, Carlos Ho, Director of Special Projects of the Public Works Ministry MOP , in an official press release for the organization.
The notice indicates that according to the company’s plan, the sand refilling of the bay will be simultaneously carried out with the construction of the viaducts in the Israel Route, at 3 de Noviembre Avenue, soon after to be followed with the new road and its organization.
This project will be using the highest level of construction technology, one that is only used in the most advanced countries of the world, with the top standards of architecture and urbanization, maximum security guidelines, quality, respect for the environment and public security. The work has a term of 540 calendar days for its construction, that is to say, approximately until the month of April of 2009.
The head of the MOP portfolio, Benjamin Colamarco, commented that the project among other things, improves vehicular flow, increases road capacity, revitalizes Balboa Avenue, increases the value of personal property in its proximity and above all will improve the quality of life for Panamanians. This mega-project seeks to alleviate the vehicular congestion in Balboa Avenue, since 72,000 vehicles circulate daily through this route.

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PANAMA REAL ESTATE RENTALS

Panama Real Estate Rentals
Introduction to Panama Rental Property – Some of you may feel like it is a good idea to rent before you buy in Panama. You may not know where in Panama you want to live. So we will discuss the basics of rental agreements and rentals in Panama.
Why Rent? – Panama is currently undergoing a real estate boom. Florida had such a boom a few years ago and now the prices are down 25% to 40%. Panama may experience the same price drop in the near future, or it may continue to rise. A lot of the Panama condos under construction are now selling for $1600 to $3000 a sq. meter (10.75 sq. feet in a sq. meter). Just one and a half years ago prime condos were selling for $900 to $1000 a sq. meter. What changed is the real estate speculators are investing in Panama trying to get quick profits by flipping real estate. So if a real estate bust comes to Panama like Florida the prices will go down so those who bought at the high side will not be happy and those who waited and rented may get a chance to guy in at relatively low prices. Unfortunately no one knows how the market will move, one can only guess. For these reasons we think the use of the lease option is a good move and we cover this in another sections.
Panama Rental Prices – What is being done today is the property owner takes the asking price and multiplies it by 1% for the monthly rent. So they ask $3500 for a condo with a $350,000 asking price. This is wishful thinking on their part. The real estate speculator is trying to make money on the property and will invest to make a profit. The renter is not going to make a profit (the exception is the lease option renter) so they rarely go for the big rents. After a few months on the market with no takers the rents come down. The property owners don’t get the differences in the mentality of the Panama renter versus the Panama real estate speculator. There is no linear progressive market for rentals with asking prices of $500,000 and up. Panama has few renters that would consider paying $5000 a month. True there are a few embassies that rent nice homes for their top people but there are not that many of these and most of the embassies already own homes. The embassy tenant is the dream of the property owner, not a reality. The properties that are being sold with asking prices of $500,000 to $900,000 are renting for about $3500 a month give or take a few hundred dollars no matter what the asking price is. A property with an asking price of $350,000 will probably rent for $2500 to $3000. I am talking unfurnished by the way. The top heavy condos and houses are offering a poor return on the investment in the rental market compared to the mid-level homes. Homes with asking prices in excess of $1,000,000 will rarely rent for anything even close to the rental asking prices these people try to get. It often takes a few months on the market for the owner to realize that the hi-end renter market in Panama is just not there. Maybe once in a great while someone has a 1,000 sq. meter duplex penthouse in a new building that they might get $7500 a month for but usually these are short term rentals or possibly they are rented to a person of means who is waiting for their condo or home to finish construction and they have no problems paying this kind of money for rent in the near term. This sort of situation is most rare and unusual. The property owner with a condo or home worth $1,500,000 will usually not turn it into a rental because of the low rents they will get. They prefer to just keep it on the market empty. The Panamanian does not really understand that a lived in property with nice furniture will sell better than a vacant empty one. A point in the favor of the Panamanian is that much of this real estate boom is due to speculators buying who never even see the units in person.
Real Estate Rental Case Histories – We actually assist our clients in their purchase or rental of property in Panama so we have some experiences. One recent situation involved a large 500+ sq. meter condo on a very high floor (it was a make believe penthouse that they called a penthouse) located on Balboa Ave. across the street from Panama Bay with sweeping water views. To understand Panama Penthouses view this page.
The unit had four bedrooms and was beautiful. The floors were highly polished marble. The ceilings were high and had murals painted on them. The unit had pillars, wet bar, bidet, solid wood closets, etc. It was the only apartment on the floor. The asking price was in the $800,000 range. When we saw the unit they were asking $5000 but we were told it might go for as low as $3800. The main problem with this unit was it was near Punta Patilla and at low tide around 4 PM it stinks of sewage so the windows would need to be kept closed and the air conditioning run and this will be costly due to the size of the unit. The other deficiency of this unit was that it had no balcony and the windows barely opened so the unit was built to keep the bad smells out. There was also a building going up next door which is fairly normal for Panama City. It actually rented for $3500 a month.
Another unit we negotiated on was in Punta Patilla on the good side in a great building a few years old. It was $350 sq. meters, they were asking $500,000 for the unit and wanted $3500 for the rent. It has a nice wet bar, beautiful floors, some rooms had water views. It was on a low floor and thus was one of the cheapest units in a 50 story building. We declined to make an offer but $2500 was suggested. If you are going to rent may as well not rent one of the cheapest units in the building.
The next unit was in a landmark building on Balboa Ave. It was mid way up in the building with sweeping water and city views. The unit had 375 sq. meters. It was two apartments to a floor. The building was beautiful even had valet parking and a concierge desk. Lobby had sweeping water views and waterfalls. The apartment was associated with a hotel so there was room service available. It had a full health club, massive swimming pool, tennis and a beauty salon. They started out at $5000. They were willing to move walls and insert doors in other words build out to suit for $3750, we declined and eventually broke off negotiations due to another property offer but it was felt that they would have taken the $3500 offer in a day or two.
On the lower side of things we worked on a nice older building 200 sq. meter apartment in El Cangrejo a desirable neighborhood walking distance to restaurants, bars, shops etc. We got them down to $800 a month for a three bedroom, no swimming pool but it did have security.
The point is the property owners can not get the rents they wish they could get. After the situation ripens with the property going unrented you can move in and make an offer that is somewhat lower that will be accepted because it beats a vacant apartment with money going out and nothing coming in.
Panama Real Estate Broker for Rentals – Do not expect to get a good rental from a Panama Real Estate Broker that is heavily involved in selling the new projects. These people have inflating real estate prices in their sales presentations and probably believe it. They will tell you how high the rental market is. They want to drive rentals up as high as they can so more people will be inclined to buy. They make very little on rentals compared to sales so they are a poor choice for a rental since they prefer sales. Go to a smaller broker who is probably not involved with the new projects under construction. They will value a rental commission which is typically one month rent on a minimum one year rental contract.
Panama Rental Agreement Contracts – Do have a competent attorney review or even write your rental agreement. If you break the rental agreement you generally are liable for loss of your security agreement which is one month rent and that is it. Be careful that the agreement is not otherwise written. It is wise to take pictures or movies of the apartment or house when you move in to document the condition of the property. Feel free to change the locks on the door and not provide them to the landlord unless there are other provisions. In some condos the keys are required to be on file with the building manager in case of a flood but many do not keep current with the keys on file.

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CLOSER LOOK AT PANAMA REAL ESTATE

The Panama real estate market is something that is interesting to many investors as well as individuals that are looking to buy property abroad. Panama offers beautiful beach front properties as well as properties that are just as beautiful, but not on the water. Not only are many of the properties beautiful, but they can also be very affordable for investors and individuals alike. In addition to being affordable, most of these properties, when kept up, appreciate very quickly, allowing those that buy them to invest and then sell for a profit in relatively little time.
One of the things that draws many home and property buyers to the real estate market in Panama is not only the surroundings, but also the tax incentives. There are many tax breaks for those that buy in Panama, and for many the tax benefits are enough to have them consider Bocas real estate as well as real estate in other areas. When you buy property in the area and you plan on building a new dwelling you will benefit as there are no taxes on the dwelling for 20 years! What this allows for individuals to do is buy property that has not been built on quite cheaply. Then, the individual or investor can build a beautiful home or business office, and then sell, all without paying taxes! This will allow for the property to be sold for much more than it was purchased with the benefit of never paying taxes.
Bocas del toro is a beautiful place to buy real estate, though it’s being bought up quite quickly. The property that has already been purchased is worth more than it was just six months ago, because supply and demand simply are not balanced. There is still property for sale in this beautiful province, and it includes residential as well as commercial property. This means that there is something for everyone, and this will always be a great place to buy as well as sell property. This province on the Caribbean will continue to be a great place to buy Panama real estate in the future, though the prices will probably continue to rise as more and more people want to buy and there is less and less in the way of available property. Panama real estate has never been more prime, and when you buy in an area such as Bocas you are almost guaranteeing a successful investment.
Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. There are many tax breaks for those that buy in Panama, and for many the tax benefits are enough to have them consider Bocas real estate as well as real estate in other areas.
When you buy property in the area and you plan on building a new dwelling you will benefit as there are no taxes on the dwelling for 20 years! Bocas del toro is a beautiful place to buy real estate, though it’s being bought up quite quickly.

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CONSTRUCCIÓN CON SIGNOS DE VIDA

KEREM PÉREZ
kperez@prensa.com
EDICION N° 581 26 DE MAYO DE 2009
El crédito a la construcción no se detiene pese a la crisis.
Aunque persiste la aplicación de más restricciones por parte
de la banca para otorgar créditos interinos, hay viviendas
unifamiliares y proyectos de infraestructura que mantienen a
flote el crecimiento de la cartera.
Según la Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá (SBP),
durante el primer trimestre de este año el saldo del crédito a
la construcción en el sistema bancario llegó a 2 mil millones de dólares.
Esto representa un aumento de 41.7% con respecto al primer trimestre del año 2008, cuando el monto era de mil
414 millones de dólares.
En el caso del crédito interno para la vivienda, durante el primer trimestre de este año, el aumento fue de
99.4%, pasando de 538 millones de dólares en 2008, a mil 73 millones de dólares.
El crédito en infraestructura se incrementó 154% en el primer trimestre del año, ya que pasó de 100 millones a
254 millones de dólares.
Entre los proyectos que han dinamizado la cartera se encuentran la cinta costera, la ampliación de la carretera
de Panamá -Colón, carretera Arraiján-La Chorrera y el Corredor Norte.
El sector comercial creció 13.9%, mientras que los préstamos nuevos interinos para el sector de la construcción
acumularon 106 millones 640 mil dólares, lo que representa un incremento del 13% con respecto a marzo de
2008, cuando los préstamos nuevos sumaron 94 millones 346 mil dólares.
Pero el crecimiento de esta cartera podría estar comprometido.
Hasta ahora los desembolsos que se han dado corresponden a préstamos que ya estaban aprobados, por lo que
habría que ver cómo se desenvuelve el mercado en el segundo semestre de este año.
La Asociación Bancaria de Panamá (ABP) se reunió a finales del mes de febrero con la Cámara Panameña de la
Construcción (Capac) para expresarle su compromiso de que la banca sigue otorgándole créditos al sector,
reconociendo que existe una crisis internacional muy grave que ha causado una incertidumbre en el segmento
dirigido a clientes internacionales.
Crisis. Disminuirá construcción de edificios. LA
PRENSA/Gabriel Rodríguez
“Los proyectos residenciales de alto costo son a los que en este momento no se les ve un potencial de
construcción, por la baja demanda”, afirma el presidente de Capac, Jaime Jované.
Las ventas de los proyectos no son iguales a los años anteriores, porque no existe la misma cantidad de
extranjeros dispuestos a comprar, dice Jované.
El ejecutivo expresa que los que poseen mayor facilidad de financiamiento son las viviendas unifamiliares,
urbanizaciones, comercio e industrias destinadas al mercado local.
Aunque las tasas de intereses de los bancos no hayan aumentado significativamente en este sector,
especialmente para la solicitud de nuevos préstamos para la construcción, Jované asegura que el
“endurecimiento” por parte de la banca se ha centrado en la minuciosidad del análisis del financiamiento en
cada proyecto al momento de otorgarlos.
Jované afirma que las nuevas inversiones de proyectos de edificios están teniendo dificultad para adquirir
crédito, “aunque para los proyectos que actualmente están en ejecución la banca ha mantenido sus
compromisos de financiamiento”.
En 2008 este sector económico contribuyó con el 30% del crecimiento del producto interno bruto (PIB). Este año,
se prevé que su aporte al PIB sea de 20%.
La construcción en la economía es un reflejo de lo que sucede en otros sectores.
En proceso de bonanza las empresas emprenden inversiones en nuevos locales, remodelan sus sedes y amplían
sus centros de distribución.
Aumenta el riesgo
La SBP registra a marzo de este año créditos al sector construcción de carácter seguro (normal + mención
especial) por el orden de los mil 900 millones de dólares, comparados con los mil 332 millones de dólares
otorgados en 2008.
En el registro de los préstamos riesgosos (subnormal, dudosos e irrecuperables), para marzo de este año el
monto asciende a 105 millones de dólares, mientras que en 2008 sumó 82 millones de dólares.
Osvaldo Marchena, presidente de la Asociación de Corredores de Bienes Raíces (Acobir), asegura que el país se
está proyectando como un centro de negocios, los bancos deben tener claros los fundamentos para continuar con
el crecimiento económico.
“La banca debe prestar atención al tipo de proyecto al que se le está presentando, que lo puedan analizar, ver
sus proyecciones y hacia qué mercado están apuntando, si es viable o no”, aclara Marchena.
En todo esto, la clave es invertir en la infraestructura, y no solo para beneficiar al cliente local, sino también al
extranjero, abonando en facilidades viales y edificios residenciales, porque las empresas multinacionales
seguirán visitando el país y estableciéndose.
Por ello, es necesario prestar atención a la continua llegada de ejecutivos extranjeros, porque si estos siguen
realizando negocios en Panamá habrá que acoplar la infraestructura y la construcción a las necesidades que se
presenten, comenta Marchena.
La idea es compartida por Jované, porque las inversiones en infraestructuras públicas ayudan a que la industria
mantenga “el motor andando”. Confía en que la máquina no se frene.

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‘Precios del mercado inmobiliario no han bajado’

MARY TRINY ZEA
mzea@prensa.com
Si usted estaba esperanzado que los precios del mercado
inmobiliario bajaran por la crisis, sepa que estos no han
disminuido, e incluso algunos se atreven a decir que subirán.
“No diría que los precios han bajado; ha disminuido la cantidad
de clientes”, dijo Wilson Ruiz, vicepresidente de la Asociación
Panameña de Corredores y Promotores de Bienes Raíces
(Acobir).
La caída de la demanda ha provocado “que los clientes
quieran negociar más”, señaló Wilson, pero esto no
necesariamente se refleja en precios, sino con ofrecimientos
de cruceros, carros, y otras ofertas.
La dirección de Asuntos Económicos de la Cámara de Comercio, Industrias y Agricultura de Panamá (CCIAP) reportó que el
precio del metro cuadrado en la Avenida Balboa y San Francisco bajó 20% y 15% de 2008 al 2009 “producto de la crisis”.
Manuel Ferreira, encargado de la dirección, dijo que se basaron en información proporcionada por empresas de bienes
raíces.
“Las compañías negocian con los clientes, dependiendo del tamaño de la compra, si tiene el financiamiento y otras
fortalezas”.

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Inmobiliarias redefinen su mercado

Osvaldo Marchena asumió la presidencia de la Asociación de Corredores y Promotores de Bienes Raíces (Acobir) a
principios de este año, sabiendo que este iba a ser un año difícil para el sector, pero lejos de encontrar a una
persona preocupada por la crisis económica internacional, encontramos a un profesional positivo y cargado de
proyectos.
Definitivamente Marchena es de los que ven las oportunidades en medio de las tempestades. En este momento
Acobir está concentrada en un cambio de estrategia, dejando a un lado a los retirados y extranjeros que buscan
segunda vivienda para ir tras las empresas multinacionales que quieran establecerse en Panamá y echar raíces.
Un mercado que de acuerdo con sus propias palabras tiene un impacto aún mayor en la economía local y más
beneficios para sus asociados.
Pero para esto es conciente que se necesitará la colaboración de los sectores empresariales y gubernamentales,
porque este ambicioso proyecto necesita que se hagan ajustes importantes en temas de infraestructura y
planeación urbanística.
-¿Qué está pasando en la industria inmobiliaria?
-El sector se había abocado hacia el mercado de los retirados de Estados Unidos, pero desde hace un tiempo este
mercado está en “stand by” y los corredores y promotores empezaron a hacer cambios en sus estrategias.
“Cuando yo asumo, el 27 de enero de este año, la presidencia de Acobir, yo ya estaba viendo lo que estaba pasando
y una de las primeras cosas que nosotros definimos fue determinar hacia donde íbamos a apuntar, en función de lo
que tiene que ofrecer Panamá y sus fundamentos.
“Entonces determinamos abocarnos a un mercado que está constituido por las empresas multinacionales y la idea
fue promover a Panamá como un lugar estratégico para poder desarrollar operaciones en la región latinoamericana.
Entonces uno de los primeros pasos que hace Acobir es activar todo su “network” (red) internacional para logar ese
fin.
“Obviamente el Gobierno en el 2007 promulgó la Ley de Sedes Multinacionales muy atinadamente. Esto es un
elemento jurídico importante para que las empresas al establecerse en Panamá no solo tengan el beneficio de una
posición geográfica, sino que además tendrán un componente adicional, ya sea en la parte impositiva y la parte
migratoria, esto ha conseguido que Panamá cuente con 25 sedes regionales de empresas multinacionales.
“Según lo que dice el Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias (MICI) un promedio de tres empresas por mes se acercan a
buscar información. Este es incluso un segmento del mercado más amplio al que estábamos atendiendo en un
momento dado”.
-¿Qué podemos esperar entonces?
-La diferencia con este mercado es que estas empresas buscan primero un lugar donde establecer sus negocios,
pero también buscan el mejor lugar para que vivan sus ejecutivos, a diferencia de los retirados que buscan una
propiedad, pero al menor costo. Es un mercado que impacta positivamente a la economía, porque son personas que
consumen todo tipo de vienes y servicios como autos, escuelas y otros.
“Ante esto, nosotros en Acobir dijimos: Bueno este es un mercado que esta allí y el cual le está prestando atención
al país y las condiciones están dadas para que no pasemos desapercibidos.
“Como nosotros tenemos las condiciones geográficas, nosotros podemos decir qué empresas son las que queremos
que vengan, vamos a querer las mejores no solo promocionar a Panamá como un punto común y corriente sino
promocionar a Panamá como un mercado específico.
“Un ejemplo es Caterpillar, cuando toma la decisión de establecerse lo hace con 109 ejecutivos y pensando
aumentar su planilla. En tanto, Sony Corporation toma a Panamá como un centro de capacitación y ya realizó la
primera jornada de formación. Mientras que Hewlett Packer está en camino y junto a otras más”.
-¿Qué está haciendo Acobir para atraer a ese mercado?
-Nosotros en este momento nos estamos poniendo en contacto con las asociaciones de bienes raíces de China, a
estas asociaciones le pedimos ponernos en contacto con la empresa Lenovo, es la cuarta empresa de fabricación de
computadores. Si a esta empresa le interesa el mercado Latinoamérica el mejor lugar para que se establezcan es
Panamá.
“Nosotros le presentamos a este Gobierno que está saliendo un proyecto, en el cual nosotros le solicitamos que nos
apoyaran para hacer una promoción en 18 mercados del mundo, donde esta ubicadas de las empresas
multilaterales, este Gobierno como está de salida no nos dio una respuesta directa, por lo que le pasamos el
proyecto al nuevo de Gobierno.
“Nosotros visitamos Canadá y nos reunimos con la Federación Internacional de Bienes Raíces de la que formamos
parte y le dijimos que íbamos a estar en Toronto y queríamos contactarnos con las organizaciones más importantes.
Tuvimos entrevistas con varios grupos como el Toronto Real Estate Board y un miembro de la organización llamada
Disa, le explicamos el proyecto de Panamá como “hub” de negocios. El evento se terminó un domingo y a la
semana siguiente estaban de visita en Panamá.
Ya yo firmé un memorando con la Cámara de Comercio Hispana de Toronto y regreso en julio a formalizar un
acuerdo de cooperación con la Toronto Real Estate Board y también lo firmaremos con Ontario Real Estate
Asociation, el primero cuenta con 28.000 corredores profesionales y el segundo con 45.000. Ellos se contactarán
con corredores panameños. En caso de que estas empresas estén interesadas en el mercado panameño son a
profesionales los que contratan.
“También estuve en la ciudad de Washington en el evento Panamá Week y visite la Universidad de Georgetown y
ellos están analizando la posibilidad de establecer un “brach” para estudiantes latinoamericanos en Panamá, para
que realicen uno o tres primero años acá y terminen en Washington lo que abarataría los costos para ellos y
resolvería problemas de visa, ya que cada vez son más restringidas.
“Un tema importante para este proyecto es que el Gobierno entrante quiere modernizar el tema del transporte y
que también se haga énfasis en las infraestructuras que se necesitan, porque si estos grupos empresariales llegan se
produce un efecto domino y tendremos más interesados que atender.
“En la medida que esto empiece a tomar lugar van a venir más y nosotros queremos que el Gobierno vaya
paralelamente atendiendo las adecuaciones en infraestructura”.
-¿Qué esperan del Gobierno?
-Nosotros le hemos comunicado a las autoridades que la asociación ha promovido a Panamá en los mejores eventos
internacionales en Rusia, Hong Kong y América.
“En este momento que hemos identificado este mercado, el de las empresas multinacionales, y le pasamos al
Gobierno un plan para poder promover y necesitamos apoyo en recursos financieros para poder llevar esto
adelante, por eso estamos abiertos la posibilidad de que las autoridades quieran incorporar en esta iniciativa a
otras organizaciones como la Asociación Bancaria, serán bienvenidas, porque si nos presentamos como un paquete
la gente va a ver las oportunidades”
-Los bancos están enfocándose en brindar hipotecas para el mercado local, ¿por qué no ir allí?
-El mercado local sigue estando sólido y este es un mercado que definitivamente, por el lado de comprador, va muy
bien, el desempleo en Panamá cada vez es más bajo, es un mercado que está allí solo es cuestión de preferencia de
cada empresa (promotora), ellas son las que deciden si van a tender o no este mercado.
“Considero que todo aquel que se quiera avocar a este mercado los bancos lo van a ver con buenos ojos”.
-Ahora ¿cómo evitaremos la especulación?
-Los promotores deben tener un plan en sus proyectos y definitivamente una persona que llegue y que le interese
comprar cinco unidades en un momento dado, este debe preguntarse: ¿Para qué ellos los quieren?, y uno debe ver
que lo que se tiene al frente es un especulador. Y yo creo que los promotores no quieren eso. Porque esta persona
va a salir al mercado a competir con ellos mismos y contra sus precios y eso crea incertidumbre. A los
especuladores siempre los vamos a tener, pero está del otro lado la facultad de aceptar o no la transacción con el
especulador.
¿Quién es?
Osvaldo Marchena Castrellón
• Corredor de bienes y presidente de Acobir.
• Es casado.
• Su pasatiempo favorito es la lectura en especial sobre temas de negocios.