TOM DAVIS IN ACTION!
Chronicle of a historic visit to Panama
May 28 & 29, 2001

The 11^th District of Virginia represented by Congressman Tom Davis has undergone dramatic change over the last decade. Today, it is a District where 39% of its population comprises minorities, many of them recent immigrants from the Americas and Southeast Asia. In addition, the District has the second largest concentration of high-tech companies in the U.S. and is the principal hub for domestic and international telecommunications.

Congressman Davis, as a key member of the Telecommunications and the Internet Sub-committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, is especially interested in the international expansion of the telecom sector, which generates thousands of jobs in Northern Virginia. Congressman Davis has also been interested in the Canal transition to Panama’s administration and the Canal’s role in further expanding global trade.

With the objective of promoting opportunities for the Telecom industry, Congressman Davis led a delegation to Panama on May 28-29. The trip provided the Congressman with valuable first-hand information on Panama‘s efforts to become a full participant in the New Economy. His message of freedom, economic opportunity, free trade and optimism had a profound impact on those who attended the twelve meetings held, including a speech to the business community.

The visit was organized by the U.S.-Panama Business Council. U.S. companies that were part of the delegation included Mantech Telecommunications, Hercules Communications, and the Law firm of McMillan, Rather, Bennett & Rigano. The trip was coordinated with the assistance of the Panamanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Embassy in Panama.

13:00 Arrival Panama City, Panama
15:00 Miraflores Locks – Panama Canal
Briefing and visit to control tower
16:45 Gamboa Rainforest Resort hosted by Eng. Herman Bern, CEO, Gamboa Rainforest Resort
19:30 Dinner in honor of Congressman Tom Davis hosted by Emanuel González Revilla,
CEO of BellSouth Panama

07:30 Breakfast in honor of Cong Tom Davis hosted by Eng. Nils Peterson, CEO, Telco Virtual
09:05 U.S. Embassy Private briefing by Frederick Becker, Charge’ d’ Affaires
10:00 Panama Canal Authority - Informal meeting with the Board of Directors -
Briefing by James Ferrara, Executive Admin. Director
11:30 Legislative Assembly - Meeting with Laurentino Cortizo, President of the Assembly
12:00 Chamber of Commerce of Panama
Meeting with Minister of Commerce and Industry Joaquín Jácome, Vice Minister of Foreign Relations Harmodio Arias, President of the Chamber Iván Cohen S., Vice President of the Chamber José Ramón Guizado, and former President of the Chamber Ricardo Durán
Address: "The United States and the Telecommunications Revolution"
Audience: Private and Public sector
Media interview
15:00 Presidency of Panama - Meeting with President Mireya Moscoso
Present: Foreign Minister José Miguel Alemán; Minister of Commerce Joaquín Jácome; 
U.S. Embassy Charge’ d’Affaires Frederick Becker
15:30 Presidency of Panama - Meeting with Second Vice President Dominador Kaiser Bazán
16:14 City of Knowledge - Meeting with Professor Jorge Arosemena, Dir. of City of Knowledge & Julio Fábrega, Dir. of Technopark
19:30 Dinner in honor of Cong. Tom Davis hosted by Charge’ d’Affaires Frederick Becker

Diplomacy

"It’s been almost a year and a half now since the terms of the Carter-Torrijos Treaty were finalized, with Panama assuming complete responsibility for the Panama Canal. The smooth transition of power and authority of the Canal to the Panamanian Government was a truly historic event, one that included the withdrawal of all American military forces in Panama and one that will be remembered as a sterling example of the right and peaceful international transfer of real estate. I am proud of the dignity and grace displayed by both nations throughout the process." 
                                     - - Congressman Tom Davis Panama – May 29, 2001

A briefing on the functioning of the Panama Canal was given to Congressman Davis. The visit of the installations included a first-hand view of the modernization of the Canal regarding the changes from mechanical to hydraulic system in the opening of the locks for passage of ships.
(Left to Right) Eugene Renzi, Tim Harmon, David Marin, Pamela Davis, Congressman Tom Davis, 
Herman Bern, Robert McMillan & Phoebe McMillan.


A second briefing was held at the offices of the Panama Canal Authority covering issues regarding the expansion of the Canal including the possibility of a third set of locks, the operation of the ports of Balboa 
and Cristóbal, issues regarding the transition of the Canal to Panama’s administration and overall 
management of the Canal.

Environment

Gamboa Rainforest Resort – Hosted by Engineer Herman Bern, President. The group visited Gamboa Rainforest Resort, thirty minutes from Panama City and in the middle of the rainforest which is an integral part of the watershed of the Panama Canal. The resort is located at the convergence of the Canal and Chagres River which supplies the water needed for the operation of the Canal. Gamboa Rainforest Resort is an example of Panama’s efforts to develop tourism based on its natural resources and its efforts in protecting the environment, one of its most precious assets.

Telecommunications & Technology

Emanuel González Revilla, CEO, BellSouth Panama hosted a dinner in honor of Congressman Davis in which a presentation by General Manager Guillermo Inchausti was made concerning the advances of the telecommunications sector in Panama. The presentation was complemented by discussions on how Panama can take advantage of its central position to attract telecommunication oriented companies to establish in the country.




Nils Peterson, CEO of Telco Virtual made a presentation on recent developments of the telecom sector in Panama including the laying of submarine cables for fiber optics and the construction of a pipeline with fiber optics across the isthmus of Panama, which will provide complete connectivity, making Panama an important hemispheric telecommunication hub.
__________________

"Privatization of the telecommunications market and the vision behind the City of Knowledge are encouraging signs that Panama recognizes the reality and potential of the global economy," 
                             - - - Congressman Tom Davis


Jorge Arosemena, Administrator of the City of Knowledge and Julio Fábrega, Director of Techno Park give a briefing on the development of both organizations, created at what used to be the headquarters of the U.S. Army South. A visit to the installations was also made.

Legislature

Congressman Davis and Laurentino Cortizo, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, exchanged views on issues relevant to the legislative chambers of both countries and issues that both Congresses face in order to constantly strengthen the democratic process. United States-Panama relations were also discussed.

World Trade & Private Sector

"Let me begin by saying that I am a strong believer in free trade and open markets. We simply cannot ignore the fact that we now find ourselves in a global economy. Make no mistake about it: We are in the midst of a revolution."

"Now we look to the future, to a 21st century relationship that, hopefully, will focus on increased trade and investment, a relationship that should offer great benefits to Americans and Panamanians alike."               
                                               Congressman Tom Davis  
                                               Chamber of Commerce of Panama, May 29, 2001

Discussions were held with Ivan Cohen, President and Ricardo Durán, former President of Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Joaquín Jácome, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Harmodio Arias,Vice Minister of Foreign Relations on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the commitment of President Bush to obtain Trade Promotion Authority and conclude a free trade agreement by the year 2005. Discussions were also held on the importance of the telecom sector in world trade thanks to e-commerce and the unique opportunity that Panama has to take advantage of these developments.


Congressman Davis addressed an audience comprised of both members of the private and public sector and representatives of the media, on the subject "The U.S. and the Telecommunications Revolution" at a lunch hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Panama.

(Click to link to Congressman Tom Davis' trip to El Salvador  under the auspices of the Greater America Business Coalition and supported by USPA)