Panama Week 2001
"Linking the World through Transportation,
Telecommunications & Friendship"
Washington, D.C.
October 24-27, 2001

What People are Saying about 
Panama Week 2001

Our country is experiencing significant advances to obtain the highest levels of economic and social development, through increases in exports of goods and services, maximizing the income that could be generated for our competitive advantages. Panama Week provides the ideal venue to promote these advantages.
Second Vice President Dominador K. Bazan

I wish to reiterate my sincere congratulations for the excellent work carried out, which resulted in great success in all of the activities. I trust that together we can continue promoting initiatives on behalf of our country.
Ambassador of Panama to the United States Guillermo Ford

This has been the second year in which I am witness of the extraordinary effort displayed by a dedicated group that I know has worked with total dedication and economic sacrifice so the event could take place this year, despite difficult circumstances related to the terrorist acts of September 11, that have altered the life of the whole world, but specifically the United States.
Ambassador of Panama to the Organization of American States, Juan Manual Castulovich, El Panama America, 10/30/01

Thanks again for honoring the Smithsonian Institution with the United States-Panama Business Council's friendship Award.  We could not be more grateful.  As you know, the Smithsonian treasures its relationship with Panama and its people.  We truly value every opportunity we're given to be helpful and of, course, extremely grateful for the support we've received over so many decades.
Secretary Lawrence M. Small, Smithsonian Institution

This year’s festivities and meetings for Panama Week were the best ever; great spirit of cooperation and enthusiasm.
Eugene Renzi, President, Mantech Telecommunications

Thank you for all your hard work on Panama Week.  It clearly paid off with a resounding success.  We at Arnold & Porter were honored to play a small role and Bill and Ric join me in congratulating you on a superb event.  Many thanks also to Margaret.
Whitney Debevoise II, Arnold & Porter

October 26th was a memorable day for my wife and myself.  Everything was well organized and orchestrated.  I would like to thank you for using me as the vehicle to honor all firefighters wherever they may be, especially the 343 of the New York City Fire Department that made the supreme sacrifice on September 11th at the World Trade Center attack.  We will always be profoundly thankful to you and the U.S.-Panama Business Council for this honor.
Captain Erick B. Weekes, New York City Fire Department

Panamanians Show Solidarity with the United States
Panamanian public officials and business leaders showed a demonstration of solidarity with the United States in trying to dispel the tension of this city, caused by the terrorist attacks, with expressions of friendship and references to the Panama Canal as a symbol of creativity, optimism and historic cooperation between the two countries.
Henry Raymont, El Panama America 10/26/01

It was a pleasure participating and working together on Panama Week.  We look forward to take it to an even higher level in the future!
Jorge Fernandez, Delta Air Lines

We are very happy with the success of all of the events and to have participated again this year. This is a partnership that helps to achieve our goals, forming a very special relationship with Panama.
Joe Diaz, Delta Air Lines

Panama Reiterates Support for United States
Before an audience of business leaders and public officials from Panama and the United States, Panama’s Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Aleman assured that Panama will be a loyal friend of the United States until the end of the difficult fight against terrorism that is before us.
Bettty Brannan Jaen, La Prensa, 10/28/01

The theme "Linking the World Together Through Transportation, Telecommunication and Friendship" in addition to being appropriate helped promote the advantages of Panama as a multimodal transportation center, tourist destination and the modern port facilities located in the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Jerry Salazar, Maritime Authority of Panama

The NVTC (Northern Virginia Technology Council) Board and members that attended the Telecom event were grateful for having the opportunity to be there. Your speakers, Vice President Bazan, Minister Jacome, and Congressman Davis were outstanding and all made a good impression about business opportunities in Panama
Zuzana Steen, Northern Virginia Technology Council

It was a pleasure working with the Council’s team. I hope we can cooperate with more projects in the future.
Oscar Bazoberry, World Data Inc.

Panama and the United States Strengthen Ties of Solidarity
Panama’s Ambassador Guillermo Ford said that he and Foreign Minister Aleman were deeply satisfied with the attendance of several business leaders from the United States and Panama to the events of the Council, as well as the bi-lateral meetings with officials of the State Department.
Henry Raymont, El Panama America, 10/28/01

The well defined focus of the events and the quality of the speakers showed that Panama is a very special country.
Nivia Rossana Castrellon, Presidential Commission for Hosting the Free Trade Area of the Americas

It was a pleasure participating and working together on Panama Week.  We look forward to take it to an even higher level in the future!
Jorge Fernandez, Delta Air Lines

It was a most impressive event. We look forward to doing some real business. There are numerous possibilities.
Dr. Steve Newman, Xybernaut

Thanks for such an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience.  Panama has much to be proud of, including this smashing success. 
George Reasonover, A.G. Edwards

I thought that you and your staff did a wonderful job in organizing the delivering what turned out to be a most informative and well-presented program.  Thank you again for making us part of the events, which furthered our Firm's interest in working with the Republic of Panama and the Canal Authority.
David S. Abrams, A.G. Edwards

I congratulate you for the success of this year's Panama Week.  It came out better than expected despite the difficult circumstances.  I, as well as others, was apprehensive of the participation of the U.S. business sector but there was good participation and interest in the subjects chosen.  I also thought it was important to show solidarity at these moments.
Herman Bern, Gamboa Rainforest Resort

The event far exceeded our expectations and we were able to meet all the right people. We are very excited about the possibilities for tourism in Panama and were delighted to find out that IPAT is interested in our particular kind of tourism for the country.
Andrew Coates, President, Uncharted Outposts

Indeed, it was a superb event. Juan, you personally, your office, the government and business interests of Panama and the United States are all to be congratulated in not yielding to intimidation and continuing with Panama Week. We are looking forward to benefiting from it as we introduce the efficiencies and technological superiority of wearable computers to Panama.
Frederick Peterson, Xybernaut

The work that you carry out with unlimited enthusiasm deserves the support of those who have the wellbeing of the country as our goal.  You can count on us.  Once more I congratulate you and Margaret for a first class program in the most difficult of times.
Samuel Lewis Navarro, Empaques de Colon