British role in Panama continues to grow and be recognized
By Dafydd Young
The recent announcement that Panama Pacifico, had signed it’s 100th tenant caused a stir in Panama’s business circles as the shiny new satellite city on the site of a former American Air base continues to expand.
It was a surprise for many that the project is British. Less of a surprise to M.J. Holloway, just over a year into his role as the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Panama. After presenting his credentials to President Ricardo Martinelli he discovered that the president was well aware that Britain is the biggest investor in Panama. It’s a statistic that’s confuses many until they hear some of the names, HSBC, Cable and Wireless, Panama Pacifico and more.
From that first meeting, which he considered his starting block, he has been assiduously working to raising the British profile so that the the hidden image of the UK is visible in all areas from business to education. An early move was to convert the former British Business Association into a pro active Chamber of Commerce, creating golden networking opportunities with government and business.
By November he had lined up a UK visit by President Martinelli who met with British Prime Minister David Cameron, UK government ministers and high level business contacts.
The flow of visits became a two way conduit with top echelon government personnel traveling to and from the Isthmus to ensure that the name of Panama became firmly embedded in the minds of administrators and decision makers to foster an evolving partnership.
Opening up British style education was another target espoused by the ambassador a year ago. and while further developments are still in the works, the start of what he describes as an educational gold standard, came with the recent announcement of the September opening of Kings College which has an established track record in other countries
It plans to be be a model of educational excellence for the country and the region with its academic curriculum conforming to British standards of education.
It will provide students with the academic rigor required for acceptance into the best universities in the UK and North America, including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, LSE (London School of Economics) Manchester and St.Andrews.
A follow up to that venture came with the innovative announcement of the creation of a Scholars' Club made up of graduates of British Universities who will form an honorary think tank for the embassy. Among its members are some of the leading luminaries of the Panamanian business environment.
No less a personage than Simon Fraser, Permanent Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and head of the British Diplomatic Service, traveled to Panama to give his blessing to the launching of the club at the ambassador’s residence.
Britain also took part in Expocomer, attracting inquiries about the Chamber of Commerce, education and trade.
Another quiet innovation is the creation of local “wardens” across the country acting as a conduit for information to and from British citizens,
Looking ahead to April, plans are afoot to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on April 12 followed by a “Run For London” event on April 15 over five and 10 kilometers, focusing attention on the upcoming Olympic Games in London.
There’s more to come, lots more. As the poster in the embassy foyer says, Britain is open for business, and Ambassador Holloway will be around to point then way.
