I’m totally convinced that Panama will become a first world nation in the next fifteen years. This country has all the ingredients to become a fully developed country competing with North America, Asia and Europe. Many are currently calling Panama, the Singapore of Latin America. I believe they are right.
Let’s take a look at the major success factors of Panama:
- The Panama Canal, one of the most strategic international shipping lanes of the world.
- The Colon Free Zone, the second largest of its kind in the globe, only surpassed by Hong Kong Free Zone.
- Large English speaking population.
- Sophisticated international banking center.
- Highly developed insurance and reinsurance industry.
- Best port facilities in Latin America.
- Concentration of fiber optic cables network connecting North and South America.
The only drawback that I see in the bright future of Panama, is that many of its nationals do not believe it’s possible to escalate to a First World category. It’s a mental, not an economic problem. This is one of the biggest hurdles President Martinelli will have to overcome during his five-year term administration.
I have visited large and modern malls in New York City, Miami, Houston and San Diego during my earlier years. They had all the bells and whistles any demanding customer would dream of having. In Panama, we have at least three malls with those same characteristics. One of them is Albrook Mall, which I recently visited with my wife and grandnephews.
I have chosen a few pictures to give you an idea of this modern mall which places Panama as an excellent shopping center for any demanding shopper. I would say it’s the preferred shopping spot in Latin America. Here we go.
Picture of one of Albrook Mall's three large food courts, (e.g., Carrusel, Terraza, and Fiesta). It houses more than seventy restaurants with a wide variety of food. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
Photograph of the ample aisles of the modern shopping center at Albrook in Panama City, Panama. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
A view of Albrook Mall in Panama City, Panama on November 28, 2009. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
Another view of Albrook Mall taken from the second floor. Shoppers walk leisurely through its ample corridors. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
Photograph of a first-class carousel to entertain the young ones while their parents shop at the center. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
This is only a small example of the many attractions Panama has to offer its visitors. If you haven’t been to this part of the world, give yourself a break and come on down. I promise you, there are no freezing blizzards here or tropical storms either. Good Day.
