Following Through On Promise Of Higher Profile For UK

In an exclusive interview with Newsroom, shortly after his arrival in Panama, the UK ambassador Michael J. Holloway announced that Britain was open for business and that its presence would be more visible.

Already the biggest foreign investor in the country through companies like HSBC, Cable and Wireless and London and Regional, the developers of Panama Pacifico. the UK profile will be raised further with a “Britain in Panama” event on October 20 at the Trump Ocean Club.

Leading experts in green and sustainable infrastructure and vocational and training, all areas in which Panama visibly needs help and encouragement, will be on hand to share their knowledge citing practical achievements like the East London Olympic Park development for the 2012, Olympic Games.

The provision of English language training will be another highlight of the day- long presentations and panel discussions. Despite years of vague promises Panama’s English language facilities lag far behind the needs of the private sector. Only 15% of Panamanians have an adequate knowledge of the language and leading some businesses to cancel plans to move to the Isthmus.