PANAMA

Addresses of Indian Mission:       EMBASSY OF INDIA, PANAMA
No. 10325, Avenida Federico Boyd y Calle 51, Bella Vista
Post Box No. 0823-05815, Panama, Republic of Panama
Tel:    00-507-2642416, 2643043, 2648780        Fax : 00-507-2642855
         GRAM: INDEMBASSY, PANAMA
E-mail:         indempan@c-com.net.pa          
                   indempan@cwpanama.net  
Website:                www.indempan.org

I. BASIC FACTS

1. Name of the Country:                                          Republic of Panama

2. Capital:                                                               Panama City

3. Name of Provinces and Provincial Capitals:

10. Official Website Links to

                                                                            
11. Name, address and contact details of the country’s central bank:

                   Mr Juan Ricardo de Dianous, President
National Bank of Panama
                   www.banconal.com.pa

12. Basic foreign, international trade, etc policies:

         Panama, while geographically a part of Central America, remains under the sphere of influence of the United States given that till December 1999, the Panama Canal remained under US control. Panama identifies more with Latin rather than Central America, due to its historical links with the former through Colombia and also has a strong Caribbean identity on the Atlantic side.  It has recently begun to work closely with other countries in Central America and is now a member of SICA – System of Central American Integration.  It seeks to strengthen its ties to Latin America through Mercosur and the Andean Community.

         The Panamanian economy is the most sophisticated in Central America given its well-developed banking sector (it has over 80 international banks), services sector, shipping (Panama has the largest registry of ships in the world), the Colon Free Zone (the second largest in the world after Hong Kong) and the Panama Canal (which is the highest income generator for the government). Panama seeks to expand Panama Canal by way of construction of third sets of locks by 2013.
 

13. Membership of major multilateral and regional organizations:

The United Nations and its Organizations, NAM, G-77 etc. and Organization of American States (OAS), SICA (System of Central American Integration).  Has also joined Group of 3 (Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela) to become G-4.  Deepening links with Mercosur and Andean Community.

14. Major industries, global companies, etc.

Construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar mills etc.

15. Global Trade and Investment

16. Major Universities/Scientific Institutions:

17. Important Think Tanks on Foreign Policy related issues:
                                                        Diplomatic Academy, Ministry of
                                                        External Relations

18. Major Tourist attractions:               Panama Canal, Miroflores and Gatun Locks, Colon Free Zone,
                                                        Bocas del Toro, San Blas (Beaches)
                                                        Bouquete, Chiriqui, Coiba, Darien

19. Major art forms/cultural traditions and venues/museums, etc.
                                                        Panama Canal Museum

20. Major Newspapers/Magazine/TV Channels with contact details:

NEWSPAPERS:

RADIO STATIONS      

1.  RPC RADIO STATION
Tel: 2106969                                     Fax: 2106988  

1. ANCON RADIO STATION

Tel: 2250021                                      Fax: 2643779

1. KW CONTINENTE RADIO STATION

Tel: 2238846/1944    News 2645756       Fax: 2643821

1. METROPOLIS RADIO STATION

Tel: 2694226                                     Fax: 2233121

1. RADIO NACIONAL

Tel: 2695178/2696739                         Fax: 2695910

1. RADIO MIA

Tel: 2630946                                                Fax: 2634195

1. RADIO CARACOL

Tel: 2632151                                      Fax: 2639829

TELEVISION STATIONS

1. RETV CHANNEL 11

Tel: 2328100/2327913                          Fax: 2327466/7662

1. TELEMETRO PANAMA CHANNEL 13

Tel: 2106846                                      Fax: 2106899

1. RPC CHANNEL 4

Tel: 2106700/2104101                          Fax: 2104122
Asignaciones: evillareal@medcom.com.pa

1. FETV CHANNEL 5

Tel: 2646555                                      Fax: 2235966
Tel: 2657119

1. TVN Channel 2

Email: apedreschi@tvn_2.com
Tel: 2362222                                                Fax: 2364159

1. RCM Canal 21

Tel: 3600808/3600809
Fax: 3600831
Email: noticias@rcmtv.tv

II. INDIA-PANAMA RELATIONS

Events/facts of particular historical and cultural significance in relations between India and that country, including date of establishment of diplomatic relations:

1. Political Relations                     

Relations cordial and friendly despite barriers of distance and language.  The highest ever visit from Panama to India took place in February 2001 with the visit of First Vice President Arturo Vallarino.  From India, four Ministerial visits have taken place in the last four years.  The first Indians arrived in Panama in the mid 19th Century to work on the construction of the Panama Railroad and later followed the Panama Canal.  Traders and merchants followed and established themselves in Panama.  Diplomatic relations were established in 1962 with representation from Mexico City in our case and Cairo in the case of Panama. India opened a resident embassy in 1973, while Panama did so in 1981.

1. Important Bilateral Treaties and agreements with brief notes

         1. Agreement on Cultural and Educational Cooperation (2001).
     2. Agreement on Cooperation in Agricultural Development (2001)
     3. MOU on Foreign Office Consultations (2001).
4. Declaration for the Establishment of a Mechanism for Political Cooperation and Dialogue between the Republic of India and the States of the Central American System of Integration (Multilateral).

1. Bilateral Visits –

From India:

1. 15-member Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Lok Sabha, Shri Manohar Joshi - July 2003.
2. MOS(EA) Shri Digvijay Singh - February 8-12,2003.
3. A 13-member delegation of Parliamentarians led by Shri Kailash Joshi to a Workshop on Tourism, organized by World Tourism Organization - November 2002.
4. MOS(EA), Shri Krishnam Raju - June 2001.
5. MOS(Rao Inderjit Singh) paid an official visit from Aug-31-Sept.1, for Inauguration of President Martin Torrijos.
6. A five-member team led by the Minister of Shipping, Transport and Highways, Shri T.R. Baalu, November 7-8, 2004.

     From Panama
1. First Vice-President & Foreign Minister, Samuel Lewis Navarro, in November 2005.
2. DG(International Cooperation), Ministry of External Relations, Panama, visited as part of SICA  Delegation to India in February 2004.
3. First Vice President of Panama, Arturo Vallarino,  India in February 2001.

4. Commercial and Economic Relations, with trade, aid and investment details.

Bilateral trade currently is in the region of US$143 million per year including exports to Colon Free Zone (CFZ).  India’s exports to Panama in the years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 were US$ 54.55 million and US $ 52.53 million respectively, whereas imports from Panama & CFZ during the same period were US$ 7.99 million and US$ 90.49 million respectively. Panama exports ships, wood & wood products, iron and steel items, etc. India exports textiles, rubber & rubber products, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals etc.  As per official statistics, FDI from Panama to India is US$10.19 million (August 1991 to January 2006), mainly from companies from other countries based in Panama to avail of tax benefits.

5. S&T Relations, cooperation in other fields such as Railways, Space, IT, Biotechnology, Infrastructure, Mining, etc.

India is setting up an IT Training Center in the City of Knowledge. Leading IT companies such as Infosys and I-flex are installing financial software solutions for complete operations of local / regional banks in Panama.

6. Chairs in Universities on Indian Studies, South Asian Studies, etc., and vice versa in Indian Universities, relevant Area Studies’ Centers in the two countries.

            Nil

7. Major Indian projects undertaken and other ongoing Indian projects.

            Nil

8. ITEC Assistance and programmes.

Panama has made good use of training facilities under ITEC with 15-20 trainees going to India every year. Under this scheme we have donated a wood processing machine few years ago.

9. Other Indian training/ assistance schemes

Students have availed of Cultural Scholarships in the past.

10. Details of Indian Credit Lines/ Official Assistance.

GOI gifted 18 Bajaj three-wheelers to Government of Panama on 3rd October 2005.  These are being used by the National Tourism Police in Panama City.

11. Cultural Troupes – Incoming & Outgoing over last few years.

         A six-member Odissi Dance group led by Ms. Ranjana Gauhar visited Panama from 14-18 October, 2003.

         A 12-member Odissi Dance group led by Shri Durga Charan Ranbir performed in March 2004.

            A 13-member Bharatanatyam dance troupe led by Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant performed in September 2004.

12. Student Exchange Programmes, etc.

            Nil

13. Any Sister City relations with India

            Nil

14. Important streets, public places named after Indian leaders

1. A street, Avenida de Republica De La India, has been named after India in Panama City. 
2. A school called “Esquella Republic de la India” is named after India in Panama. 
3. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Plaza Cinco De Mayo Park.
4. A bust in the University of Panama has been installed.
5. A bust of Gandhi in David, Chiriqui Province of Panama. 
6. A bust of Mother Teresa installed in Guarare, Panama.

15. Types of visas issued, and visa details for officials, students, business people, tourists, etc. from India.

         India falls in the prior reference category.  Applications must be submitted to the Panamanian Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai well in advance (4 to 8 weeks). Photocopies of passport, two passport-size photographs are to be submitted along with the applications.  Having US visas may cuts down on processing time.  Persons traveling for business purposes must have an invitation letter from a local Panamanian company.  Barring diplomatic and official passports, the current practice is to issue a visitor’s visa, usually restricted to 60 days at a time.  Business visitors are also required to submit evidence of financial solvency.  Return or onward tickets are also required for all visa applicants.  Visa fees are US $65/-.

16. Air links with India/Convenient Travel Routes.

No direct air connection with India. Air connectivity is through USA/Latin America and Europe.

17. Indian Banks
           
            Nil. However, a number of local banks have banking arrangements with Indian banks and banks in India.

18. Addresses of branch offices of other Indian Government and Public Sector organisations, Chambers of Commerce, etc.,  such as Tourist Office, Export Promotion Councils, FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, etc.

            Nil

19. Name, Address and contact details of Indian Culture Centres, if any.
-
            Nil

20. Link to Embassy and Consulate websites

www.indempan.org

22. Estimated NRI/PIO population

            Approximately 7,000.

23. Important NRI/PIO Associations and their contact details.

1. Sociedad Hindostana de Panamá

Apdo. 5524, Panamá 3,                
Republic of Panama
Tel.: 236-2366  /  262-3046
Fax: 236-2366
President: Mr.Somabhai Bhikabhai – tel: 260-8860; fax: 227-0693 

2   Asociación Religiosa Sunni Musulman
Apdo. 3228, Panamá 3,
Republic of Panama
Tel.: 263-7299 /  269-9099
Fax: 269-7188
President: Mr. Mousa Asvat  ; tel- 263 7299 ; cell : 6735399

3. Islamic Foundation de Panama (Jama Masjid)
    Apdo.3267, Panama 3
    Republic of Panama
    President: Mr Yusuf Bhikhu  ; tel: 2640044 ; fax: 2644801

1.  Sociedad Cívica Hindostana de Colón

Apdo. 3084, Zona Libre de Colón,
Republic of Panamá
Tel. 225-5426  /  614-2074  /  447-2771  /  447-2071
Fax: 433-1174  /  225-5426
President: Mr. Ringo Mayani; 

1. Sociedad Cívica Guru Nanak Sahib

Apdo. 318, Panamá 9A
Republic of Panama
Tel.: 228-2185  /  221-7798
Fax: 228-3752
President: Mr. Khemo Jhangimal  ; tel : 2232144
   

1. Gujarati Mahila Mandal

      President: Mrs Shantaben Ahir                 
 

1. Sociedad de Damas Hindu y Panamanian ( Sindhi)

      President: Mrs Komal Buxani    Tel: 223-8079/6161800

24. Major Indian ethnic papers/TV channels with contact details.

            Nil

25. NRIs/PIOs  holding significant public offices.

            Nil
B(1): MULTILATERAL/REGIONAL/SUB-REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND INITIATIVES IN WHICH INDIA IS A MEMBER

Name and address of Organisation:                              NIL

B(2): MAJOR MULTILATERAL/REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS WITH WHOM INDIA HAS SIGNIFICANT RELATIONS WHILE NOT BEING A MEMBER (e.g. ASEAN,  EU, etc):

1. Level and nature of India’s interaction with that organisation.

SICA (Central American System of Integration) – India-SICA Group of Ministers meeting held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras – Feb. 10, 2005.

1. Country with current Presidency of Organisation

Rotating Presidency: 6 months:  Costa Rica (June-December 2006)

3. Country Coordinator for India, if any, along with contact details

Contact through the Rotating Presidency or through SICA Secretariat in El Salvador.

4. Important two-way visits, if any.

SICA Foreign Ministers and representatives visited India in February 2004 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister.

MOS (Rao Inderjit Singh) visited Honduras in February 2005 to participate in India-SICA Group of Ministers