Airport Construction News

The David Airport expansion project is underway by Argentinean firm Riva, S.A.

Runways

1. Main Runway Refurbishment: The 95,000 m2 refurbishment is 100% complete on the 6,890ft (2,100m) main runway.
2. Main Runway Extension: The 500m extension of the main runway is underway and 60% complete. The extension will make this runway 8,530ft (2,600m).
3. Auxiliary Runway Overhaul: The overhaul of the 37,000 m2 auxiliary runway is 100% complete.

These runway upgrades make larger international jets able to operate into and out of the airport. They allow for heavy 737 traffic, and even frequent 757 traffic. A Fokker 70 (HP-1732) is in use by Air Panama now, and a second Fokker 70 is planned to begin service soon. Further, the upgrades will increase safety margins, allow more inclement weather operations, and better night time operations.

New Terminal Building

New Building Construction: Construction of the new 4,500 m2 airport station is underway and nearing 50% completion.

The new terminal building will allow for increased activity, including more complicated customs operations, making incoming flights from the many countries, including the US, possible.

 Author: http://davdirect.org/airport-expansion/

Panama Is a More Competitive Country

Panama advanced this year four positions in the rankings of Global Competitiveness and was among the 50 most competitive economies in the world. The country, according to the World Economic Forum, coming from the 53rd position joined the 49th position, and became again the second most competitive nation in Latin America in 2011, surpassed only by Chile, which held the 31st position.

Boquete – Panama Real Estate Report

Properties in Boquete Panama are attracting retires and pensioners and many expatriates especially from the US mainland since many of them have relocated here in the past two years. Boquete Panama has a lot to offer to visitors, tourists and residents. It has one of the best views in Panama. Both hills and pristine beaches are in close proximity. It has lovely hills that are dotted with quaint old world charm cottages. The climate is temperate and perfect throughout the year. Locally the rain is known as bajareque, which is accompanied by mist and ensures that the vegetation stays green throughout the year.

Living costs are almost 50% or even 40% of costs in the US mainland. Since US$ is the currency here, many expatriates are choosing to switch over here for the better quality of life, while saving on their living costs. These costs have been accounted after taking into consideration the recent price and crude oil hikes.

The real estate listings in Boquete Panama have also seen a decrease in the property prices in 2009. The prices dropped by as much as 6.5% in 2009. The properties in Boquete Panama are considered as a sub-market for the Panama City. The average prices for the real estate in Panama City in 2009 were around US$ 449,000. With the world economy posting a better outlook in 2010 and now in 2011, the discounts for the Boquete Panama property listings may not be valid and are set to increase.

Already the condo prices in the Panama City are increasing especially due to the extensive building boom in the high-rise buildings that are dotting the capital city. In 2008 and 2009, the transactions related to Boquete Panama property listings were down by as much as 75% and have slowly recovered from there. Investors will find that the town is kept clean and well and roads are well paved. Also in the past two years, construction has begun on modern amenities and shopping malls. This is also an extremely safe city, as compared to the Panama City, where crime is rising steeply. The properties in Boquete Panama are best suitable for older people and those that love nature. As of now, construction work is in full swing in the hills as shown by the real estate listings in Boquete Panama.

One bedroom apartment with kitchen, bath, dining area and front porch will cost US$ 330,000 as given in the Boquete Panama real estate listings. While the real estate listings in Boquete Panama for 3 bedroom condos that are away from the city (about 15 – 30 minutes drive away) and have a view of both the ocean and the hills that surround Boquete Panama are priced around US$ 350,000.

Author: matthewmcclifford

This author has published 99 articles so far.

How to Build a Dream House in Panama?

By Jessica Ramesch

Building a home overseas is one of the greatest challenges you can take on. But ask Doug Mannell, 66, and his wife Linda, 63, and they say: “Sure, we’d do it again.”

It’s not for everyone, but building your own home can be immensely rewarding.

“One of the best things you can do when moving overseas is to play to your strengths,” says Doug. An engineer who ran a renovation business back home in Toronto, Doug has the kind of experience that makes it easy for him to read blueprints. With her experience in interior design, Linda doesn’t find her big blank canvas of a home daunting. The Mannells have also learned enough Spanish to communicate with their foreman and crew.

So what if you don’t have the same skills? Should you give up on building your dream home in Panama? Absolutely not. Without their renovation and design experience, Doug and Linda might have opted to contract an architect or project manager to oversee the building process. Play to your strengths, and don’t hesitate to get help for the other stuff.

As it is, Doug and Linda are well on their way to having their dream home. They are building in a tiny beach town called San Carlos, where a few other expats have joined them in forming a friendly community. Just over an hour by car from Panama City, it’s an ultra-convenient location.

Linda’s face lights up as she talks about the layout of her new home. “I never dreamed of having an outdoor kitchen ’til I came here,” she says. But the weather and lifestyle changed that. She and Doug have decided to have an “outdoor” living area, kitchen, and even a bar area…they’ll all be under the main roof but they will open to the greenery all around—no walls.

It hasn’t all been sunshine and roses. The Mannells admit that getting their dream home came with challenges and a steep learning curve. For example, one day Linda came home to find the outdoor kitchen bar had been built too high. She pointed it out, but a lot of work had already been done. Starting anew would require ripping it all out—how would the foreman and crew take it?

Happily, Doug and Linda have a good relationship with their staff. “We respect each other,” says Doug. “We involved the foreman in our discussion, he understood our motivation, and it got done. And it is a far better result,” he adds. “Linda was right.” (You can imagine Linda’s smile after hearing those three words.)

Turns out, it doesn’t take a huge Spanish vocabulary to get things done. The Mannells have come a long way, making friends and inspiring loyalty with their willingness to adapt to local culture, be respectful of the customs, and communicate. A hardware store in San Carlos even gave them a Christmas present last year—a sort of construction materials goody basket! “The store will even deliver materials to us…at times within the hour,” adds Doug. All because he cultivated a personal relationship…it’s the Panamanian way.

Says Linda: “We wouldn’t change this experience; we have embraced the lifestyle and are really happy in Panama.”

International Living has been quoted in MSN Money, The New York Times, The O’Reilly Factor (Fox News), The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes Personal Finance, ABC News, Smart Money, the AARP, The Dallas Morning News, San Francisco Chronicle, and elsewhere. For more, see the IL press room.

Author: Jessica Ramesch | Website: www.InternationalLiving.com