U.S.-Panama Business Council
Greater Houston Partnership
Proudly Present
PANAMA DAY TEXAS
May 19-20, 2005

With the cooperation of:
U.S. Embassy in Panama
Panama Embassy in the U.S.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry of Panama
Panama Maritime Authority
Panama Canal Authority
Panama Institute of Tourism

PANAMA
The Republic of Panama is widely recognized as one of the commercial centers of the western hemisphere. The Panama Canal, with more than 13,000 transits a year; the Colon Free Zone with annual transactions in excess of $10 billion; one of the most integrated and efficient multi-modal transportation systems in the Americas; and a healthy service economy, offers opportunities toU.S. businesses that are looking to the Americas as recent trade agreements expand trade and investment in the region. TEXAS
Texas and especially the City of Houston, has a long tradition of cooperation with Panama. The Port of Houston is one of the main partners of the Panama Canal; Continental Airlines services Panama daily and uses Panama as an aviation hub, and Texas is the most popular state for Panamanian students in the U.S.
PANAMA-TEXAS RELATIONSHIP
Panama and the State of Texas have a long and successful partnership with several Texas companies operating in Panama in the sectors of transportation, maritime, energy, consumer products, technology, among many others.  

MEDIA ADVISORY
HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PARTICIPATED IN PANAMA DAY TEXAS
A number of high Panamanian and U.S. Government officials attended Panama Day Texas, a conference organized by the Greater Houston Partnership and the U.S.-Panama Business Council. Panama Day Texas which included a forum and luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel on Thursday, May 19 followed by a visit and briefing at the Port of Houston and a tourism presentation in the evening at the University Club located at the Galleria.  On Friday morning, May 20 there was an Energy breakfast and Forum at the Westin Galleria Hotel.

High government officials from Panama and the U.S. participated in the program that was designed to promote business opportunities between Panama and Texas. There are a number of Texas-based companies with operations in Panama, and there is anticipation that the possible expansion of the Panama Canal, Panama’s maritime activities, and the development of Panama as an air hub with Continental Airlines playing a leading role, will generate new business opportunities.

Vice President of Panama and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority Ruben Arosemena, Panama Canal Administrator Alberto Alemán Zubieta, Vice Minister of Commerce & Industry Alejandro Ferrer, and Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Agency José Galán were among the speakers.  U.S. Ambassador of the United States to Panama Linda E. Watt also participated in the conference as well as private sector leaders from both countries.

Panama Day Texas was organized jointly by the Greater Houston Partnership, the leading private sector organization in Houston, and the U.S.-Panama Business Council, a bi-national business organization with a mission to foster good relations between the United States and Panama and promote business opportunities.

PROGRAM  & PICTORIAL

Thursday, May 19th
9:00-11:30 a.m.
BUSINESS FORUM
Inauguration
The Honorable Linda Watt, U.S. Ambassador to Panama

Commercial Opportunities in Panama
H.E. Alejandro Ferrer, Minister of Commerce and Industry
Dell Computer After Two Years
Fernando Lara, Dell Computer
Residential Tourism
Terry Theodorou, PanCanal View &BuyAHomeInPanama 
Air Hub of the Americas
Bobby St. John, Continental Airlines
Role of Panama in World Trade
Laurie Mahon, PB Consult
The Panama Canal Railway Company
Thomas Kenna, Panama Canal Railway
 The Panama Canal : Present & Future Outlook: The Challenge of the 
XXI Century Modernization
Alberto Aleman Zubieta, Administrator, Panama Canal Authority  

12:00-2:00 p.m.
BUSINESS LUNCHEON
(Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, 1300 Lamar Street)  
Keynote Speaker:
H.E. Ruben Arosemena
Second Vice President & Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority

"Friendship Award" Presented to Pete Garcia, Continental Airlines
by: Ambassador Juan Sosa, Roberto Dominguez & Ambassador Linda Watt

  2:30-5:00 p.m.
PORT OF HOUSTON VISIT & BRIEFING 

6:30-9:00 p.m.
PANAMANIAN TOURISM
6:30-7:15 p.m. Marketplace
7:15-8:00 p.m. Presentations:
Continental Airlines / Bern Hotels and Resorts Panama / 
Residential Tourism
8:00-9:00 p.m. Reception  

(Venue: University Club 5051 Westheimer, Suite 355)

Friday, May 20th

8:00-9:00 a.m.
ENERGY BREAKFAST
Keynote Speaker:
Regulatory Framework
José Galán, Chairman, Regulatory Agency for Public Services

9:00-11:00 a.m.
ENERGY FORUM
9:00- 9:20 a.m 
Energy Overview
 Julio Fabrega, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

9:20-9:40 a.m.
Power Generation
Aldo Lopez, PanAm Thermal Generating

  9:40-10:00 a.m.
Mini-Hydroelectrics
Hilda Berman, Pardini & Associates

10:00 – 10:20 a.m.
Power Distribution
José Frade, Unión FENOSA

10:20-10:4 0 a.m. 
Trade Development Agency Support to Investors
Albert Angulo, Trade Development Agency

10:40-11:00 a.m.
Questions & Answers

(Home)
(Program & Pictorial)
(Sponsor Recognition)

For Information Please Contact:
U.S.-Panama Business Council - USA
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Ste. G-0003
Washington, D.C. 20004
Tel: (301) 986-8802 Fax: (301) 986-8803
E-mail: Panamerica@msn.com
Website: www.us-panama.org

Consejo Empresarial EEUU-Panama - Panama
Calle 50, Torre Global Bank, Oficina 22F
Ciudad de Panama, Republic of Panama
Tel: (507) 269-2178 Fax: (507) 269-0534
E-mail: USPA@cableonda.net

Houston Partnership - Houston, Texas
1200 Smith, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002-4400
E-mail: ghp@hpuston.org
Website: www.houston.org