Panama is the business crossroads of the Americas. It’s geological position, political stability and pro-business orientation along with the strategic Panama Canal’s role in international commerce makes it the logical choice for exchanges like this one. The new diamond exchange will be a new major gem and jewelry center. A reflection of Panama’s sparkling appeal as a place for commerce, this new center is symbolic of Panama’s rapid development.
The Israeli Diamond Institute Website
Excerpt from: Israel, India Receive Panama Diamond Bourse President
Panama Diamond Exchange President Erez Akerman will be visiting Israel and India over the coming two weeks to meet with members of the diamond industries of both countries to discuss the opportunities available in the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center, Latin America’s first dedicated diamond, colored gemstone and jewelry trading complex, which currently is under construction in Panama City.
Akerman recently visited Antwerp where he met with a range of companies, several of which have already signed commitments to take up office space in the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center.
“Interest in the project is high, with members of the trade keen to be among the first to establish a permanent place in the new Latin American trading complex,” Akerman said. “Our goal is to have a good representation from all the various trading centers, but during the first phase of the development program space will be limited. Those who sign up first will obviously get preference.”
More at: http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/english/News.aspx?boneId=918&objid=14421
Rapaport
Excerpt from: First Phase of Panama Gem & Jewelry Center to Complete in October
Construction of the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center has moved into high gear with the Panama Diamond Exchange (PDE) reporting brisk interest both regionally and internationally for office space in the first phase of the complex, as well as in membership and affiliation with PDE itself. The first-phase building will be fully operational by October of this year.
The response following the official launch of the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center two weeks ago was immediate, according to Erez Akerman, PDE’s president. “Companies that attended the event were in my office the next day, asking to see floor plans and requesting information about layouts and schedules,” he stated. “The fact that they had visited the construction site and saw how quickly things are developing made the whole process very urgent for them.”
Concrete floors and steel girders are already in place at the 18,685-square-meter plot in the prestigious Santa Maria Business District, which is scheduled to be transformed into Latin America’s primary gem and jewelry trading center.