Cabinet awards $2.5 million to Nimby Carnaval

Panama’s Cabinet Council approved Thursday, January 5, a $2.5 million budget for a carnival that President Matinelli had  once said would not receive one dollar of government money.

The resolution also authorized the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) to carry out the organization of the event that no one wants in their back yard, the NIMBY touch.

Of the sum, $500 thousand will be charged to the budget of 2012 ATP budget  and the remaining one million will appear in the   budget of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

A government statement said  that the ATP will have " the exclusive function of coordinating and directing all activities related to the carnival festivities in the city of Panama." Which means that the authority’s head, Salomon Shamah is authorized to negotiate sponsorship, hire staff and services as well as direct activities related to communication and public relations event. 

Away from the glitter of Carnaval the Cabinet also approved a bill that raises from $80,000 to $120,000 the level of housing that will benefit from mortgage discounts..