The Panama Weekly Newsletter is released today. Here is a synopsis of what the Panama Weekly is reporting this week:

Panama Banks making money, Microsoft brass in Panama,
Panama leads foreign Investments, Tourism numbers.

Panama License is Required for Real Estate

Rancho Pedasi Beach, 2 years no payments, NO Interests, and Money Back Guarantee.
Panama government selling Noriega’s house

Bocas del Toro, SAVE $20,000

Panama hotel occupancy higher than Dubai, Hong Kong, and London.

Panama City Condo Hotel Business plan: Opportunity is Now!
Panama Referral program pays

FREE Panama Investment with Experts
Panama Airport Arrivals & Departures on-line

Signup to the Panama Weekly to keep in touch with all the news and deals as they happen.

We are very proud to announce our new Blog here at ThinkPanama. Panama Weekly: Twice the Lifestyle is all about Panama and Panamas’ relationship with you. It is our aim to provide to you in depth reporting on what matters. Weekly topics will include:
Pulse of the Week short rundown on the noteworhty events of the week.
Watching your Wallet Tips on how to save yourself some money.
This Week in Panama Business Panama is in the news everyday. The fuel for driving all this Panama hype is business. Panama Weekly is reporting on all of these Panama Business mile stones.
Real Estate backdoor bargain buy On every post we will cover a insider deal for the savvy investor.

Panama Weekly can be found here

http://www.thinkpanama.com/panama-weekly

Edition 3, Year 1, April 29, 2008

Pulse of the Economy in Panama

• Gas Prices today: 91: $3.71, 95: $3.90, Diesel: $3.72
• New Car sales for January 08 are up in reference to 2007: sold over 4,241 New cars,1,000 units more than in 2007. Toyota is no. 1 in sales with 1,297 sold. Nissan is no. 2 with 720 sold. BMW: 59, Mercedes: 30, Porsche: 15, Hummer: 4
• La Prensa newspaper reports that salaries in Panama have doubled and tripled over the last year. The high demand for construction workers and technical staff with the boom in the construction sector has tripled salaries in Panama.
• The Panama Canal Expansion phase 1 excavation of 7.4 million metric tons is moving fast forward. The contract for phase 1 was for $41 million, the total est. cost is $5billion.

Editors Investment Choice:

The Plaza Condo Hotel in Costa de Este.

30% down payment and you own a luxury condo hotel unit in one of Panama’s most Exclusive communities Costa del Este.
Special Unit Price $190,600, $3,000 below market.

Construction has not begun, So you can expect at least two price increases of 10% each. Each price increase will raise the value of your unit by est. $20,000.By the delivery date of your unit in 2010, At the current property value trends your unit will be valued, market price of at least, minimum $50,000 above what you paid, so you can Flip the unit for a $50,000 26% profit in 24 months, or keep the unit and keep 75% of the Rental Income, projected to be $23,000 per year for the owner of the unit , after all expenses, at 75% occupancy, rate of $225 per night. Thus providing you with Titled Property Value equity, and
A annual income of $23,000 or more on the rental of your unit, Plus you can use your unit FREE for two weeks every year. Oh! And did I mention that Enrique Iglesias would be one of you celebrity neighbors! For more Information on THE PLAZA Condo Hotel investment

My Blog is designed to be an Investment tool for Real Estate Investors, on Ways of Making Money in Panama’s Real Estate Boom.

I will continue to focus on Condo Hotels since in my opinion this represents the Best form of Investment Opportunity in Panama. It is based on the basic economic principals of Supply & Demand. Currently, there is a shortage of hotel rooms in Panama City, Pacific beaches, and throughout the country based on Tourism demand. The Panamanian Ministry of Tourism reported that there is a deficit of over 20,000 hotel rooms for the projection of tourism visitors in 2008, 1.5 million. Panama has the second highest percentage of hotel occupancy rate in the World- Today, the occupancy level of hotels in Panama is over 90%. The global average in hotels of 100 and more rooms is 84.7%, Panama is ranked no. 2 in hotel occupancy out of 165 cities from around the World according to Global Ranking Index (GRI), second only to Perth Australia with 85.1% avg. annual hotel occupancy level. These figures were audited and published recently by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu accounting firm.

We have run the numbers on condo hotel costs, and this investment provides triple profit to investors: first on the sales of the individual units, second on annual Rental net Income profit (after expenses), and third on the Value of the Land and the Profitable Business.

Since my Blog is designed to be an Investment tool for Real Estate Investors,– let’s get busy!

Today I will present to you an; A+ Investment Options in Panama.

Invest $200,000 and Make Your Money Back plus 100% return $200k in 12 months.

We found a Spectacular Lot, 990 square meters, 10,652 square feet, RM 3 High Density Residential Zoning, and CM 2, high density commercial zoning. The lot is in San Francisco on a main avenue artery on Via Israel just block from Punta Pacifica, the ultra modern Multi-Plaza Mall, minutes centrally located just minutes from the commercial areas, restaurants, banks, the Atlapa Convention Center, the Sheraton Hotel and the Tocumen International Airport. Lot has two access roads, from Via Israel and from a side entrance that is behind the lot.

All units will have Pacific Ocean views.

A Preview edited version of the Business Plan: SKY ONE CONDO HOTEL TOWER

• Cost of Land and Approvals from MIVI for construction: $1,800,000.00
  Turn-Key ready to Build. All approvals & construction plans done.
• Total Construction of the Building, Architectural Plans,
  Furniture packages, Air conditioning, renders:$8,700,000.00
  Including Marketing, Construction Engineer project supervisor.
• Total Cost: $10,500,000
• SALES of Units, 72 units: $21,353,400.00
  Note: All 30% down on sales go to Escrow
• GROSS PROFIT: $10,853,400.00
• Annual Net Income on Unit Rentals, yearly profit: $1,000,000.00

Note: at 60% occupancy level, rate of $275 x night,
Net Profit After all expenses: administration, marketing, owners keep 70%.

CALL for up to 10 Investors. At $200,000 each.
Total: $2,000,000.00

This will allow for Land Acquisition and all government Approvals process: Surveying, Environmental Impact study, Construction Plans, and Development & presenting to MIVI (Panama Housing Ministry the master Plan) for all government Green Lighting & approvals. In approximately, 90 – 120 days after capital is raised, we can have phase 1 approval to proceed into Sales phase, and begin Pre-Selling the units. It takes approx. 90 – 120 days for phase 1 approvals.

Phase 1: Round 1: Turn-Key Package: 12 months

After we have achieved Land Acquisition, and Government approvals, we will have a Developers TURN-KEY package:

• Lot Title – ownership.
• Survey Study
• Environmental Impact Study
• Demolitions
• Fence up bordering lot. Billboard promoting condo hotel.
• Master Plan design
• Master Plan (Ante-Proyecto) approved by MIVI.
• Constructions designs.
• Water, Sewage, Electrical, Telecommunications, Access roads, All Plans
• Architectural design of Building.
• Floor plans design
• Costing of Construction quotes
• Budgets of costs
• Sales & Profit projections.

Note: One option is to SELL this as a Developers TurnKEY package: $3,800,000.00

TL Expenses Incurred: $1,800,000.

Profit: $2,000,000.00

Split Between 10 Investors: $200,000 each Cash out.

*100% ROI return in less than 12 – 14 months.

This Investment Plan will have a phase 2, BUILD-OUT.

Preview Investment

Phase 2: Round 2: CALL FOR UP TO 10 INVESTORS $500,000 each.

From 120 days after we have Phase 1 Master plan approvals SALES can start 36 months (3 years): Sales & Construction: Sky One Tower Condo Hotel:

• 72 – 96 unit modern condo hotel rooms
• Sky Restaurants
• Sky Spa
• Sky Pool
• Sky Bar & Lounge
• Commercial Space
• Sky Gym
• Under Ground Parking

PRE-SELLING the condo Hotel units 30% down payments from Buyers. Down Payments will go to Escrow account. We have a total of 72 – 96 units, prices vary depending on floor level, The Rental Income business plan for unit owners: they get to keep 70% is $42,000 - $52,000 per unit , per year. The hotel will be managed by an experienced flag ship global brand of Hotel condo management.

The detailed construction costs and return on Investment will be provided to approved Qualified Investors. The projection ROI on unit sales ROI is projected to be $1,000,000.00 in 36 months. The Investment amount per investor is $500,000.

Plus an additional est. $100,000 per year in Rental Profit of the Hotel.

More specifics & details on this investment in future Blog editions and our upcoming…

FREE Investment Seminar in Panama City on Tuesday, May 13, at the Miramar Inter-Continental Hotel

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I will be posting more information on www.ThinkPanama.com and more details in reference to this and all investment opportunities that I feature. Go to the “Business Panama” vertical.

In my next Blog edition:

Did you know that for the first time the Panamanian government Ministry of Economy & Finance (MEF) is preparing to auction off government owned real estate property?

At our April 17th Think Panama Investment Seminar, the Director of the Real Estate Promotions division of MEF, Mr. Ricardo Icaza came to present several buildings and lots that they are preparing to auction on May 14, 2008. We were previewed on some of the upcoming government property that includes Islands, Beach front property, and the beach house of Ex Panama Strongman General Manuel Antonio Noriega at Playa Blanca.

A remodel high rise building one block off of Avenida Balboa. Bid starts at $2.3 million. Auction is on May 14, 2008. To Preview go to www.ThinkPanama.com. I will be releasing more information in the editions to come.

Contact me to sign up to the Weekly Panama Real Estate & Investments blog: dchoy@ThinkPanama.com

About the editor: Douglas McArthur Choy Franco is a licensed by the Panama Ministry of Commerce, technical Real Estate Board as a Real Estate Broker, license no. 1930. Ranked as an Expert in Latin America by Latin Trade magazine he possesses keen expertise in International Business. He is the President & Chairman of the Board of Global Branding Group an International Marketing firm. He is also the President & Chairman of the Board of ThinkPanama.com a .com. He is an active member of the Panamanian Chamber of Industries & Commerce, The American Chamber of Commerce AMCHAM, and ACOBIR the Panama Real Estate Professionals Organization affiliated with the National Association of Realtors in the U.S. He is the editor & Chief of Panama Real Estate & Investments weekly dchoy@thinkPanama.com or Call U.S. Direct (407) 641-5747.

Condo Hotel in Panama; $22,360 profit Now! and Guaranteed Income Return for the Next 5 Years, even before Construction.

Have you heard of the Panama Canal? It is in the middle of a $5 billion dollar expansion. The gateway to the World is no longer Panama’s only attraction. Panama has gone from the hidden gem of Latin America to becoming a HOT tourism destination. The Pearl Islands located in Panama have been the beautiful exotic backdrop to CBS Survivor series more than once. Tropical weather, two oceans, abundance of rain forest, nature, birds, trees, all within a few hours drive to a modern city with a skyline that resembles Hong Kong.

Tourism growth in 2007 was in the teens - double digits, the tourism growth in the last 5 years has been in Steroid Hormone growth mode. While the U.S. is riding the downhill turn of the economic roller coaster with the collapse of the real estate market. Panama is experiencing times of BONANZA and BOOM. And while some would expect that the Giant to the North will soon have a negative impact for Panama, it’s growth is fueled by investors from the Europe, U.K., Spain, Venezuela, Israel and U.S. investors looking to shift away from the U.S. and into a still emerging economy. The economic boom in Panama is fueled by huge investments, such as The Panama Canal $5 billion dollar expansion.

Panama has always been a commercial center and global Commerce fuels commerce through Panama and the largest Free Trade Zone in this hemisphere, located in Panama, second only to Hong King. The Real Estate markets is Booming, I would bet there are more construction cranes here right now than in any other city in the World, maybe second to Dubai.

Panama has become the Airlines hub to the Americas; there are hundreds of daily flights to everywhere North, South, East, and West. The hub of global telecommunications, the hub for Call Center headquarters, the hub for International Banking & Finance, Panama is known as the banking capital of the World. In short Panama is a Business Hub. Business is good, and the projection for the next decade can be defined as “Panama’s decadent decade”.

TOURISM Traffic Keeps Growing

January and February 2008 was +11.6% that’s 30,425 more tourist than last year same period, for a total of 291, 624 tourist in the first two months of the year. And the projection for 2008 is to reach over a million and several hundred thousand tourists.

All of this has created a deficit in hotel rooms. The Minister of Tourism announced that Panama has a deficit of 20,000 hotel rooms. Finding a hotel room in Panama is very difficult. Today the occupancy level of hotels in Panama is over 90%. The global average in hotels of 100 and more rooms is 84.7%, Panama is ranked no. 2 in hotel occupancy out of 165 cities from around the World according to Global Ranking Index (GRI), second only to Perth, Australia with 85.1% avg. annual hotel occupancy level. These figures were audited and published recently by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu accounting firm.

Condo Hotels is my TOP INVESTMENT option in Panama.

Donald Trump is already in this game, he is opening Trump Ocean Club a condo hotel in Panama City.

My Top Pick for My Readers and Clients: THE PLAZA

This is a very upscale 5 Star ocean view 150 room condo hotel & 44 Exclusive Residences located in a Panama City, in Costa del Este, just 15 minutes from the International airport, 45 minutes to Pacific coast beaches, 20 minutes to Johns Hopkins Punta Pacifica Hospital, and the ultra hip Multi Plaza Mega Mall with the World’s top fashion specialty boutique brand stores like Cartier, Hugo Boss, Fendi, Carolina Herrera, Lacoste, Mont Blanc, supermarket, and restaurants.

The Plaza is Residence and Condo Hotel with contemporary design. The development will offer state of the art technology, wireless internet, interactive intelligent lobby with online concierge service, health center, Business center, Infinity pools, waterfalls, International restaurants, sky lounge, and exotic amenities such as a Luxury 100 foot yacht that takes condo owners and guests to the beautiful Pearl Islands Contadora island every day, seven times per week. Famous celebrities like Enrique Iglesias, Justin Pasek (Miss Universe 2003), Salsa super star: Gilberto Santa Rosa, and the lead singer for MANA, one of Latin Americas favorite rock band.

One of the features of this condo hotel & residences is the SKY-BEACH at the roof top with view to the Pacific Ocean.

The current PreSale price on the 473 sq. ft. Plaza Condo Hotel units is $193,600
Keep reading- Our price per unit, for a limited time is the lowest in the market.

Condo Hotels top Investment in Panama

I love the condo hotel investment option. You are buying the unit, you own it 100% Titled Property. You are putting your unit into a pool of hotel rooms to be managed and maintained by a professional experienced hotel company. They rent it out, market the hotel, handle reservations, bookings, cleaning, maintenance, everything is turn-key. And you can book the unit for yourself to use two weeks out of every Year. As the condo owner you get to keep 60% of the rental income, so this is an investment that pays for itself and generates income for you.

I have reviewed the Return on Investment numbers on the Plaza and this is the scoop: At a conservative occupancy level of 75% and a nightly rate of $225 per night, (rates at the Marriott = $291, Miramar InterContinental $341, Radisson $286, per night), you can achieve Positive Income on your investment of $23,034.38 per year on your condo unit.
Or you have a second option which guarantees you 10% ROI. GUARANTEED in writing in the purchase contract. This guarantee is for 5 years including the construction period of the project.

You not only make money from the rental income, you also make money from the resale VALUE of the property and you can use your unit 2 weeks every year for FREE.

EXCLUSIVE ThinkPanama OFFER:

Limited Time Offer, Limited units at this offer.

I can make you $22,360 in weeks, and $23k per year income.

$3,000 discount ONLY available for ThinkPanama.com

Our price per unit : $190,600.

I was also made aware by THE PLAZA sources (insiders Information), there is 10% Price Increase coming in 4 weeks, and there are two more price increases planned.

My dear reader: This means that the Plaza units will raise price to $212,960, a hike increase of almost $20,000, with our special $3,000 discount, I can make a Profit of $22,360 in a few weeks, and $23,000 per year income.

This is a limited time offer and for those of you wanting to make money in the Panama Boom, The time is now!
I can help you to lock into this offer with 30% down payment.
Contact me at dchoy@thinkpanama.com

Douglas McArthur Choy
Chairman
www.ThinkPanama.com

+ 507.260.4000 , U.S. Direct (407)641-5747

ThinkPanama.com released a Press release yesterday announcing to all international real estate investors that Panama has a blockbuster investment opportunity. You can read the press release at the ThinkPanama press room. Below I give you a brief run down on the Condo Hotel investment opportunity and let you in on Panamas best kept secret.

The Secret is to Buy at Pre-sell Pricing!

Panama real estate is red hot. Headlines keep popping up everywhere ABC Nightline, New York Times, Washington Post, International Living, Where to Retire and the Wall Street Journal, just to name a few. And if it is true that in Dubai you will find most of the Worlds construction cranes then Panama must be the second skyline filled with cranes. There’s construction everywhere. However, if you try to book a hotel room in Panama City chances are you won’t find one. Recently, the minister of tourism Ruben Blades published statements stating that there is an immediate need for more hotel rooms. Currently, there are only 17,000 hotel rooms in Panama, not quite enough for the double digits growths in tourism that Panama has been experiencing and is continuing to project. He stated that there is a deficit in hotel rooms of more than 20,000 rooms. And although we have a list of New Hotels that are in development in Panama, the demand is still higher than the supply. We all know what that represents.

Condo Hotels have become the NEW BOOM in Investment Opportunities. For those of us that like cash generating Investments, and returns the Guarantee at least 10% + and higher; investing in a condo hotel in Panama is Now an excellent option.

Condo-hotel’s are just like traditional hotels, however, each hotel room unit may belong to an individual owner, whereas in traditional hotels, there usually just one owner of the entire building.

Condo-hotel owners generally sign a contract with a management company to “operate and manage” the hotel facilities and each of the individual hotel rooms. This is done on a profit share basis, with anywhere from 50% to 75% of the rental income going to the individual unit owners. Additionally, some Condo-hotel management companies also pool the remaining annual net operating profits with an additional percentage being distributed at the end of the operating year to the owners. This percentage varies but can be as much as 10%. Additionally, condo-hotel owners get to use their hotel room units for limited number of days per year. Generally between 1 and 2 weeks. So if you plan to vacation in the destination where you own a Condo-hotel unit, this would be an added benefit.

Demand for hotel rooms in Panama is much higher than the availability of hotel rooms. The occupancy rates are at a steady 90% and above. The infusion of foreign capital, the construction boom, and mega investment projects like $5 + billion dollar expansion of the Panama Canal which is underway, The construction of the Panama International Merchandise Mart, the largest commercial structure in Latin America with 2 million square meters of construction (21,572,7820 square feet). Total investment is US$1 billion USD over a 3-year period, the development of the Panama-Pacific Special Economic Area [formerly Howard a U.S. Air Force base], a multi billion dollar real estate development underway by London Regional, and many more. Recently the company Caterpillar, which recently announced it was moving its regional headquarters to Panama, made a statement saying they alone would have a demand of approximately 12,000 room-nights per year!

ThinkPanama.com has reviewed the Condo-hotel offerings in Panama, and has selected two Condo-hotels to Promote: The Plaza Costa del Este, and The Orchid.
Both offer investors PRE-SALE prices to purchase units, and both offer GUARANTEED Returns of up to 15%+and more annually!

The Plaza, Costa del Este: This outstanding project combines 150 unique and contemporary executive hotel rooms and 44 private residences is located in the Costa del Este part of Panama City – an up and coming area with Residential and Commercial areas including a major Office park complex. Hotel units start at $193,000. In 5 years you would have recovered 50% of your total investment, plus owners get 70% of the rental income, and are allowed to use their units for one week. Celebs the likes of International Superstar and Grammy-award winning artist, Enrique Iglesias, and Latin Salsa sensation Gilberto Santa Rosa are confirmed owners of units in The Plaza. Enrique Iglesias bought the Penthouse and Gilberto Santa Rosa bought a residential unit in the development.

The Orchid, a 200 room, Five-Star Condo-Hotel, will be located in the financial district in Panama City, and will cater primarily to Business Travelers, boasting one of the best equipped Business Centers in the City. The property will feature a full service Spa, Pool, Restaurants, Room Service, Gymnasium, Concierge service, housekeeping, etc. Based on projections released by the company, owners can conservatively expect an average of 17% ROI, this is based on a very conservative 66% occupancy rate. The owners share of the rental income is set at 63%, Pre Sale Prices start at $207,000.

Both of these Condo Hotels Investments Opportunities will be featured by Think Panama in their April 17, 2007, FREE investing in Panama seminar.

Although the U.S. Economy is struggling, the President of the BID, International Investment Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno stated yesterday in Miami that Latin America is facing the highest economic growth projection in over a decade of 4% to 4.5% growth in 2008. Panama which is one of the smallest countries in Latin America grew 11% last year. No doubt that 2008 will be more difficult year than last year, due mainly to the U.S. economic slowdown which will have an adverse effect in Latin American countries, nonetheless the projections for growth in Latin America projected by BID are the best in decades.

For Investment opportunities in Panama you can come to Think Panama FREE investing in Panama seminar, April 17, at the Miramar Inter-Continental Hotel in Panama City. www.ThinkPanama.com sign up at info@thinkpanama.com U.S. Direct (407) 641-5747, Panama offices + 507- 260-4000.

Upcoming issues of Think Panama Real Estate & Investment blog:

• Buying Property in Panama without using your own money.
• Beach property available now, financing guaranteed; 2 years no payments, 2 years no interests, 100% return on Investment in 5 years at current market trends.
• Opening an offshore account made easy & in less than 24 hours your account is open.
• Business Plans & Master Plans- get involved at the ground floor on government approved Panama Real Estate developments.

Sign up FREE dchoy@thinkpanama.com