Category: Features

A country located in western Africa and situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa. Its prosperity is due to two reasons: it has considerable natural wealth and it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from the colonial rule.

It is famous for its lush forests, diverse animal life, and miles of sandy beaches along a picturesque coast. Its rich history dates back to 10,000 BCE. It had developed a great medieval trading empire located northwest of the modern-day Ghana, until its demise in the 13th century. Direct sea trade with Europe, established in the 15th century, helped it develop further. It had active trade links with the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and other Europeans. Trading mainly consisted of gold, and later cacao, the source of cocoa beans. Introduced there in the late 19th century, cacao continues to provide an important export for Ghana.

Modern-day Ghana gained its independence in 1957, and the colony’s drive for independence was led by nationalist and Pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah, who believed that “Our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.” Inspired by Ghana, more than 30 other African countries declared their independence within the next decade.

Ghana has progressed well, especially since the 1990s, and is today considered exemplary to successful economic recovery and political reforms in Africa.

Social Progress for Women

Being a woman, I’ll highlight women-related issues here in the hope that they are addressed and solved. Social issues in Ghana range from health, sanitation, education, food security, shelter to transportation. It is the responsibility of governments to create the necessary and conducive environment for all issues mentioned above to be solved, goals achieved and progress enjoyed by the people. However, there are inequalities and unfairness, and they hold people to enjoy the benefits of some of the facilities.

The voiceless, particularly women and children, do not get fair opportunities. As a result, men always take advantage. For example, the girl-child is vulnerable and should be counseled and guided well enough to have secular education. Unfortunately, for some of them poverty leads them into falling prey to teenage pregnancy or early marriages. Some migrate to the cities to seek greener pastures, popularly called ‘Kaya aye’, meaning head porters.

Education and sensitization are required to guide the girl-child in all aspects of her life so she grows up to become a good citizen for the nation. There is this saying that if you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana has prioritized education, and therefore has made SHS education free for all Ghanaian Children. Though in Ghana the population of women is about 52 per cent, men dominate in the decision making process. Women are very few at higher positions. Women need to be more proactive in all sectors of the economy so there is a holistic development of the nation.

Conflicts should be avoided so we have a peaceful coexistence in this world. Conflicts and wars mostly affect women and children. There should be respect for one another for us to have a just and fair society. Women need to sit up in society, work hard, gain confidence and contribute to nation’s development.

Some traditional and cultural practices also affect the development of the girl-child, for example early marriages and fostering to extended family members. Opinion leaders and chiefs can help sensitize people to entreat the girl-child to have secular education in order to build her capacity and contribute meaningfully to society in future. Civil society and NGOs have contributed to the education of the girl child in order to complement government’s efforts. Given fair and equal opportunities, the girl-child can contribute to the development of the nation.

The few women who have been holding high positions include the Chief of Staff, Her Ladyship, the Chief Justice, Chairman of the Election Commission, and Ministers & women Members of Parliament. We commend them and acknowledge their hard work. However, women need to work harder to bridge the gap.

Progress in Economy

Ghana’s economy is a mixture of private and public enterprises. National income is derived primarily from agricultural and mineral output and only to a limited extent from manufacturing and services. Most of the cash crops and mineral products are for export.

After independence of the country, the government established a large number of state-owned enterprises in agriculture and industry. In order to make up for the local shortage of capital and entrepreneurial skills, measures were adopted to attract foreign investors to operate independently or in partnership with the government.

Under the restructuring program sponsored by the World Bank in the late 1980s, foreign companies and private entrepreneurs were encouraged to invest in private or joint private and public ventures and to assist in the rehabilitation of the economy; in general, the trend was toward increased privatization of the economy.

Beginning in the late 1990s, the government concentrated on improving economic stability and transparency, and it continued with privatization efforts. In the 21st century, Ghana is considered a model of African economic recovery and political reforms, and has qualified for substantial debt relief measures, including relief from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Tourism Opportunities

Gorgeous beaches, interesting historical heritage, rich culture demonstrated in multiple ways, and amusing wildlife make Ghana an exciting tourism destination. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Kakum National Park: The park is an undisturbed rain forest, extending over an area of 357 square km with some of the trees as high as 65 meters. The park’s fauna includes more than 550 butterfly species, 200-plus bird species (such as the Frazer-eagle owl, African grey, parrot, bee-eaters, hornbills, and knight-fishers), more than 40 mammal species (including different monkey species, red river hog and the threatened bongo and forest elephant species) and about 7 primates.

Visitors may take a walking tour or a canopy walkway through the forest or a self-guided hiking, all of which offer an opportunity to see the indigenous plant life of Ghana and the various fauna.

Wli Water Falls: Located 20 km from Hohoe in the Wli Natural Reserve, it flows throughout the year, and the water descends from a height of about 1,600 feet. It is located at the edge of the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, which has hundreds of fruit bats and a few monkeys and antelopes.

Aburi Botanical Gardens: It is more than a hundred years old and offers a rich collection of tropical flora that attracts different birds and butterflies species.

Ankasa Conservation Area: It is a twin Wildlife Protected Area comprising Nini-Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserve. Being the area with the highest rainfall in Ghana, Ankasa is the richest forest in terms of botanical diversity in the country.

The Bamboo Cathedral: The spectacular Bamboo Cathedral is not a church building and has no human Bishop, a priest or a creed. The site showcases nature’s perfect architectural design, as the bamboo plants, forming a canopy, give the semblance of a cathedral over which the breeze offers a perfect opportunity for relaxation.

Bia National Park: It is bordered to the south with a 563 square kilometer Resource Reserve and is an International Biosphere Reserve Park. The reserves are situated in the transition between the moist evergreen and semi-deciduous tropical forest and cover much of the drainage for the Bia river.

Coastal Wetlands Ramsar Sites: The Ramsar sites are the relaxation and feeding grounds for over 70 water bird species. The birds flock in larger numbers and are a delight to watch. The sites also serve as the breeding grounds for about three marine turtle’s species. The ramsar sites include the Densu Delta Ramsar Site, the Sakumono Ramsar Site, and the Songor Ramsar Site.

Densu Delta Ramsar Site: This Ramsar site lies just West of Accra. The Densu River which feeds the wetland is about 116 km long.

Digya National Park: Created in 1971 with an area of 3,478 sq. km, Digya is located on a lowland peninsula west of the central shores of the Volta Lake. The vegetation of the Park is largely savannah woodland and gallery forest along the riverbanks. Mammals include elephant, buffalo, water buck, hartebeest, bush pig, baboons and five other species of monkeys.

Iraq has availed all opportunities that have come its way, and fending off numerous long-standing challenges it has rebuilt itself riding on a rise in crude oil production and improvement in the non-oil economic activities, electricity production and an expansionary fiscal policy.

Tourism Opportunities

A marvelous mix of ancient traditions and ultra-modern culture, Iraq is a fascinating tourism destination for the world. With a limitless scope of exploration, it is full of incredible experiences simply waiting to be unraveled. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Erbil: The citadel of Erbil is 7,000 year old and has a magnificent history. The huge castle located in the center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must visit for tourists. In addition, the Erbil Civilization Museum and the Kurdish Textile Center must be visited for their historical and cultural significance.

Ur: World famous for its Biblical tales of epic floods, fearsome Babylonian kings, and now one of the most beautiful ancient ruins, Ur is visited by anyone interested in history, mystery and ambiguity. Located in the southern Iraqi deserts, it also boasts of Ziggurat, a tall structure with high walls and steep staircases that were probably used in the old times to worship the Akkadian moon gods.

Baghdad: It holds in its heart copper bazaars, Assyrian treasures in the National Museum, and monuments such as the Unknown Soldier, and the famous Abbasid Palace, which is a historic two-storey building overlooking the Tigris river. The Palace reminds of the Abbasid dynasty of the 8th to 13th centuries when it was the Golden Age of Islamic rule, and is claimed by historians to be an educational place.

Basra: One of the most fascinating destinations of Iraq, it is covered in palm forests along the Shatt al-Arab River. It is also home to some of the most famous shrines of Islam’s first imams. Established in 636 AD, it has played an important role in the early Islamic history and tourists would find the Old Mosque of Basra, also called the Imam Ali Mosque captivating, especially after its significance as the first Mosque in Islam, built outside the Arabian Peninsula.

Babylon: Imagine the historical significance of this place as it remained the center of Mesopotamia for two thousand years, and is known for both good and bad reasons. Located 52 miles south of Baghdad, it was founded around 2,300 BC and is one of the earliest cradles of civilization, where art, science and literature thrived.  It has an access to both Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and served as the capital for 10 Mesopotamian empires. It is guarded by massive walls, and used to be the largest and the most powerful city in the world at one time, attracting people, ideas, and products from all over the world, which it continues to do even today. Tourists must visit its ancient monuments including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which are counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This is also the place where the famed Tower of Babel cited in religious texts used to exist.

Al Kifl: This is a city situated on the banks of the Euphrates River, between Najaf and Al Hillah. It is historically significant for Iraq because the Bible prophet Ezekiel’s tomb is located here. The attraction inside the tomb is a dome that has Hebrew inscriptions mixed with floral Islamic designs.

Al Mada’in: It is an ancient settlement ruled by Sasanian, Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid and Buyid Empires in succession. It is considered to be built by the Iranians, and later rebuilt by King Zab, Alexander the Great and King Shapur II. It also houses the famous pilgrimage site of Salman al-Muhammadi’s Tomb, who was once the companion of Muhammad and Ali, and is also renowned by the name Salman the Persian. The mosque also holds the tomb of Hudhaifa al-Yamani and the grave of Jabir Abdullah al-Ansari.

Kirkuk Citadel and Daniel’s Tomb: Tourists must visit another historically and ethnically important Kirkuk Citadel that was established around 880 BC on top a 130-foot high mound. It is said that it was built by King Ashurnasirpal II for defense purposes, and later 72 towers were built under King Sluks’ rule. Inside the citadel, tourists would find several colorful gems including the Red Church, the Green Dome Mosque, and the blue-tiled Tomb of Daniel.

Israelis are known for original thinking and entrepreneurship which gain us the title of ‘The Start-Up Nation’. In that respect, many people say Israelis think ‘out of the box’; the way I see it – we Israelis just don’t see the box! Israel has become the Middle East’s ‘silicon wadi’ for innovation, cutting edge R&D, cyber security, smart cities and automotive technologies. It is a leading destination for global multinationals for investing in tomorrow’s technologies.

We merge our unique traditions with democratic values to create a Jewish-democratic State, as envisioned by our founding fathers in the proclamation of independence in 1948: “The State of Israel will … foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or gender.”

Israel strives to live in peace with its neighbors. We believe that economic prosperity and modernization in the Middle east, combined with education and dialogue, are the keys to achieve peace. We see this change that started with Egypt and Jordan now spreading to other Arab and Muslim countries, who show growing interest in Israeli technologies, sport activities and bilateral relations with us. It gives me reasons to be optimistic about the future of our region.

Splendid & Unique

Israel is comfortably located between Africa and Asia, enjoying a splendid climate and a unique diversity of cultures and natural scenes.  All this within a small territory of just about 22,000 sq km. (roughly the size of Manipur). In just about one or two hours drive, one can change from the golden sandy beaches of Tel Aviv and its vibrant night-life scene, to the magnificent walls of Jerusalem, with its historical sites, to enjoy extreme sports or Bedouin hospitality in the desert, hike in the Galilee mountains, scuba dive in Eilat or enjoy a unique spa in  the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth.

Good connectivity and the convenient proximity between one attraction to the other, make Israel a favourable destination for a growing number of tourists.  More than 4 million tourists visited Israel last year, among them more and more Indians who visit Israel both for business and pleasure. The recent opening of direct flights to Israel from New-Delhi, Goa and Kochi, in addition the long exisiting flight from Mumbai, make it easier and cheaper to go to Israel. We have an active Tourism office in Mumbai which is working constantly on attractive campaigns and the results are clear: Tourism from India registered a 21 per cent growth in 2018. Approximately 70,800 Indian travelers visited the country from January to December 2018, putting India on the 12th position in incoming tourism. we expect the numbers for 2019 to be even higher.

My Contribution as Consul General

I was privileged to serve in Mumbai at the time of the historic visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India in January 2018. It was the first time an Israeli prime minister visited Mumbai. This visit accelerated our ongoing cooperation with the western states of India. It gave a great boost to the economic, cultural and technological cooperation. Soon after the visit, an agreement was signed between the Government of Maharashtra and Israel’s National Water Company ‘Mekorot’ to prepare a masterplan for the Marathwada water grid project. This will use advanced Israeli water technology  to connect 11 dams in the region to make droughts a history. During the visit, leading figures in Bollywood, including Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Aishwaraya Rai and Sara Ali Khan  gathered to welcome PM Netanyahu in a cultural programme called ‘Shalom Bollywood’, where Netanyahu invited the fraternity to come and shoot films in Israel. Indeed, recently the first clip shot in Tel Aviv with Jacqueline Fernandez and Sushant Singh Rajput for the movie ‘Drive’  was released on Netflix. We are working with the State Governments and private sector in our region to enhance the cooperation in the areas of Smart cities, smart mobility, cyber, higher education and start-up ecosystems.

Bilateral Relations between Israel & India

Israel and India enjoy a strategic partnership which is at all-times pick since the mutual visits of PM Modi and PM Netanyahu to each other’s country. But our relations go long time back, based on the historic ties between Jews and Indians, with the thriving Jewish Community here which is approximately 2000 years old. Bilateral relations were gradually but constantly evolving till full diplomatic relations established on 29th January 1992. the good cooperation expands from the G2G (Government to Government) level to the B2B (Business to Business) and P2P (People to People) levels as well. Bilateral trade has increased from USD 200 million in 1992 to USD 5.8 billion 2018. Today, many Indian companies have started investing in Israeli innovation and R&D system, particularly in the areas of IT, cyber security, smart mobility, agriculture, water management and smart cities. The number of Indian students in Israeli universities is increasing. Today, the highest number of foreign students in Israel are from India. Tourism and cultural exchanges are flourishing.

A Genuine Democracy

We are proud that Israel is a growing economy and a genuine democracy with independent press and very noisy political discourse. At the time of our independence, we had a population of 6 lakhs. Today we have crossed 9 million mark and expected to have more than 10 million people by 2024. It is not less than a miracle that a country with vast tracts of barren land, scanty rainfall, absence of fertile soil and security challenges has come such a long way and continues to thrive. We have a very vibrant culture as Jewish people in Israel have come from more than 70 countries and have brought their cuisine, music and culture with them. It has blended very well with the native Israeli culture. In the future, Israel strives to be a leading center of cutting edge research and technologies and find solutions to global problems. I invite you all to come and see this miracle called Israel with your own eyes. I guarantee you’ll enjoy the Israeli experience!

Bolivia has consistently advanced towards macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms to maintain price stability, sustained growth and to reduce poverty. Simultaneous legislative reforms have helped bring market-oriented policies, especially in the hydrocarbon and telecommunications sectors, bringing private investment.

Tourism Opportunities

Bolivia is world-famous for several things, as it has the world’s highest ski slope in the world, the highest forest in the world, the largest salt flats in the world, and it is the only country in the world having a hotel totally fabricated of salt. Some of its main tourism destinations include the following:

Madidi National Park: Stretching from the Andes to the Amazon, in an area of more than 7,000 square miles, it is famous as one the most biologically diverse parks in the world. Tourists may find jaguars here or giant otters or the titi monkeys, which are not found anywhere else in the world. Our planet has about 9,000 species of birds, of which over 11 percent are found in the Madidi National Park.

Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos: It is an entire region of six mission towns founded by some Jesuit priests in the 17th and 18th centuries. Tourists may choose to visit all towns together in one long tour, or they may stay at each and move on gradually. All of them offer beautiful views and a style of old Spanish architecture; however, the largest and the best-known of these mission towns is San Jose de Chiquitos.

Yungas Road: It is called the World’s Most Dangerous Road and stretches from La Paz to Bolivia’s Amazon rainforest region in the north of the country. It is called the most dangerous because from La Paz, it goes up to 15,000 feet before descending around 4,000 feet to the town of Coroico. Though it is dangerous for most vehicles, it attracts mountain bikers in abundance as they love the close to 40-mile-long stretch of downhill riding.

Reserva Eduardo Avaroa: It is a Fauna National Reserve in the harsh Southwest Circuit region of Bolivia, which was built to protect the endangered vicuna and the llareta plant. It also boasts of some of earth’s most unusual landscapes, including the bright white salt flats and the rainbow-colored mineral lakes of Los Lipez, which do not support human life as they are very harsh to live in, but are still a refuge for many rare and endangered South American species including several large colonies of flamingo. Tourists visiting this place get a feeling that they have come to a strange and beautiful new planet.

Cerro Rico, Potosi: It is called the rich mountain or Cerro Rico. Once it was famous for its silver, and had attracted Spanish Conquistadors to the world’s highest city, Potosí. Adventurous tourists exploring the effect of colonization upon the indigenous people of Bolivia must visit this place. Although the silver is long gone, tin is still mined from Cerro Rico. Tourists may still visit the mines as well as the Casa Nacional de Moneda, a museum that once housed the royal mint.

Sucre: It has three other names and is also called the City of Four Names. The other three names are Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca. It was founded in the 1500s by Spanish colonials, and it is loved by tourists who are interested in observing the life in aristocratic Spain in the 16th century. The various attractions of the city include important historical buildings such a La Casa de la Libertad. It is the same place where Simón Bolívar wrote the Bolivian Constitution, and where you would find Bolivia’s National Library, which features documents dating to the 15th century.

Lake Titicaca:It is the highest navigable lake in the world, and is naturally one of Bolivia’s most beautiful and treasured landmarks. Visitors may savor freshly caught trucha here and may take a boat trip from Copacabana to Isla del Sol. Ancient Inca ruins may also be found here scattered throughout the island. Visitors may also go to the summit of the Stations of the Cross walk to observe the fascinating Lake Titicaca.

Tiwanaku: It is a Pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiwanaku is considered one of the most important civilizations before the Inca Empire, and is today one of the world’s oldest and highest urban cities ever built. Its mysterious stone creations defying explanation and ruins of architectural structures attract a lot of tourists.

Though the world may see Bangladesh as a market of more than 30 million middle class people, riding on societal values, high resilience and a strong aspiration to progress, we have a vision to advance Bangladesh as a developing country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.

The confidence comes from the fact that Bangladesh is no more an apparel manufacturing country, but has modernized and is quickly becoming a high-value knowledge-intensive society. Bangladesh exported 12 industrial robots to Korea in 2018, manufactured and sent 4 ships to India, sold a large quantity of refrigerators to Reliance, and boasts of 600,000 IT freelancers in the country.

Urbanizing fast, 41% of our population would be using mobile internet by 2025, and close to 50% of our population would be living in towns & cities.

Tourism Opportunities

Full of historical monuments, resorts, beaches, forests and exotic wildlife, tourists would also love angling, water skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting and sea bathing. Some of Bangladesh’s main tourism destinations include the following:

Cox’s Bazar: Located in the far south-east of Bangladesh and spilling out into the Bay of Bengal, it is covered in salty fishing skiffs and bustling jetties, and is famous for its stunning beach which has a length of impressive 120 kilometers from north to south along the Indian Ocean. Being the third-longest beach in the world, tourists would love to surf on crashing turquoise waves and bubbling rock pools to enjoy themselves.

The Sundarbans: Located at the converging point of the mighty Brahmaputra and the scared Ganges at the edge of the Bay of Bengal, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is richly covered in spectacular wildlife. While Bengal tigers are found here stalking the mangroves, rhesus macaques swing in the canopies. Chitals and the local huts dotted around the area and hiding beneath waxy palm trees are also a great attraction.

Dhaka: This city is a jungle of a different kind, as it is full of temples, churches, mosques monuments, and colorful and aromatic bazaars. Situated along the banks of the Buriganga River, it was once a great city during the British Raj here and also during the Mughal period. Home of over 17 million people today, tourists would love to eat the curries and street food of Old Dhaka.

Saint Martin: It is the only coral island of Bangladesh and is located close to Chhera Island. Though named Zajira by some unknown Arabian sailors initially, the name was changed to Saint Martin’s Island by the British. Tourists find the sunrise and sunset, the exotic village life, sea turtle hatchery, coral rocks, and a sky full of stars at night very attractive. They may also opt for fishing, oceanic scuba diving, and walk by the sea beach.

Kuakata: Located in the southern part of Bangladesh, it has a panoramic view of the sea beach and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is famous for its stunning sunsets and sunrises at the wide sandy beach. Other attractions here include Fatrar Chor (part of Sundarban), Gangamati Reserved Forest, Jhau Bon (forest), Keranipara Seema Temple, Misripara Buddhist Temple, and Eco Park.

Rangamati: Located about 77 kilometers from Chittagong, it is also known as the Lake City of Bangladesh. Places to be visited here include the town, Hanging Bridge, Kaptai Lake, and Indigenous Museum, and can be accessed through a variety of vehicles from Chittagong.

Comilla: A popular tourist destination in Bangladesh, it is known for attractions such as Lalmai Hills, Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development, War Cemetery, Maynamoti Museum, Shah Shuja Masque, and Comilla Zoo.

Bandarban: Literally meaning ‘dam of monkeys’, it is one of the most fascinating tourist attractions of Bangladesh.

It is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and tourists may go for the largest Buddhist temple of Bangladesh, Buddha Dhatu Jadi; more Buddhist temples such as Ujanipara Vihar and Raj Vihar; Shoilo Propat Waterfall at Milanchari; Chimbuk Hill and Tribal Villages. Tourists also find peaks of Nilgiri and Thanchi breathtaking.

We invite you to discover a unique country, with impressive cellars, some of the most beautiful wineries, a unique traditional cuisine, rural areas where time seems to stand still, architectural pearls that teleport you in the past and nature reserves where you will find peace. Enhancing cultural heritage is one of the core missions pursued by the Moldovans while being manifested in a number of different ways: either through arts, music, dance, and artisan crafts or through practical know how and skills inherited over time. Easily noticed could be a series of distinguishing elements marking the authenticity of the indigenous peoples, such as: traditional costume, Moldovan carpets, traditional crafts, and folk music. Travelling across Moldova, you will surely come across some representative locations, where clearly exposed are the elements of cultural heritage.

1. OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW

The territory of Moldova, on the map, appears like a bunch of ripe grapes. If you like to bring from your trips not only magnets, but also unforgettable impressions and unique stories for your friends, the country will sincerely surprise you and fill with everlasting emotions. After all, this is exactly what everyone is looking for in a new journey. All roads to our hospitable country are open. You can get to Moldova by plane – to the airport of the capital, Chisinau, by car, and even by ferry, to the southern port on the Danube.

2. PEOPLE AND THEIR HOSPITALITY

People make our country special! Having decided to visit any corner of Moldova, expect pleasant meetings with open people. Once in a Moldovan village, you will not notice, as you already are sitting at the table and the owner of the house treats you with spicy wine.

The national Moldovan cuisine will surprise you with its sincere simplicity and richness. A savory soup called Zeama, cooked with homemade noodles and Mamaliga – a hard porridge made from cornmeal, which is being cut with a thread. Can you imagine this? Mamaliga is served with Moldovan cheese, sour cream and Tocana (meat steaw). Placintele are prepared from a thin dough with a variety of fillings: cabbage, cottage cheese, apple, pumpkin, and cherries. The warm and hospitable region of the Moldovan people will conquer you, as well as the national cuisine.

3. WINE, WINE AND ONE MORE TIME WINE!

Wine is the pride of the Moldovan people and it makes this country special! Every year, in the first weekend of October, the National Wine Day is celebrated in the central square of the capital. The best winemakers welcome the guests and surprise them with their various wines. The atmosphere of this holiday is striking in scale! You can try many different wines. It is even hard to count!

Dancing, socializing and savoring national dishes create a special atmosphere. Moreover, having gone to a real wine tour of the vineyards and wineries, you can taste the wine of different varieties. In addition, in Moldova, you can visit, with a tour, several wine cellars, whose length is tens of kilometers, and the collection includes millions of bottles of wine. Some of these cellars are included in the Guinness World Records! You still do not believe that there are so many wonders in such a small country?

4. ORIGINALITY

Each corner of Moldova has an incomparable color! In the south of our country live Gagauzi, a temperamental nation with their culture, history, traditions, and of course, cuisine. Only an hour away from Chisinau, and you get to know the atmosphere of other national characteristics. On the left bank of the Dniester River is located Transnistria, a territory where time is still, that can make you feel like living in the USSR. Visiting the unique historical complex of Old Orhei, seeing the cave monasteries and ancient hermitage is a MUST.

No tourist left our country without visiting this picturesque valley. In addition, if you are ready to get acquainted with the ethnic group of Roma, then your way lies to the north of Moldova, to Soroca city, famous also for the Soroca Fortress.

The surroundings of this city will leave you with ambiguous feelings, but you will recall this colorful trip and acquaintance with such a specific nation. And of course – the mighty forests Codrii, situated in the centre of our country.

5. LEISURE

The nature of Moldova will inspire you to an active time spending. The opportunity to raft down the river, climbing or cycling. Fans of hiking will be interested in the unique relict forest Codrii and one of the longest world caves “Emil Racovita Cave”. For those who travel by car – camping sites are equipped in the most picturesque places of Moldova.

To get to know more about the traditions of Moldovans and their folklore you can by going in special tours, where you will be able to do local crafts and dip into the peculiarities of life in the villages. Your trips around the country do not require a lot of time spent on the road, and you can fully enjoy the process of active recreation.

6. SECURITY

Regardless of the daytime, you can easily go for a walk or excursion to the city you like, or make a trip to the countryside, because Moldova is one of the safest countries in Europe. Moreover, a cheap mobile Internet is available throughout Moldova, at the speed of which our country is among the top ten leaders, along with Japan and Latvia. In city parks, cafes and even trolleybuses you can always connect to free Wi-Fi, be in touch with relatives and share impressions about Moldova.

7. UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES

Music concerts, festivals and marathons, every year, inspire the citizens of our country to join the events. The festival of ethnic musicians from around the world “Ethno Jazz”, the “DescOpera” festival, the “Underland Fest”, the festival of colors, as well as marathons, organized in wine cellars, leave expressive memories.To stay informed about the events in our country and plan a trip for visit to one of these events, subscribe to the newsletter, we will tell you about the most significant, and interesting events in Moldova, where we will be waiting for you!

If you are planning to visit Moldova don’t hesitate to visit the National Tourist Information Center, located in the center of the capital – Chisinau.

The center provides information about locations, events, accommodation, tours, itineraries and offers of tourist companies. Tourists benefit from free consultation as well as leaflets, brochures and postcards. The Tourism Information Center is a project powered by the National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova with the support of international projects.

The Association supports the development of tourism products, lobbying and advocacy initiatives and plays an important role in business support for the incoming tourism industry, promoting the image of Moldova as a travel destination.

KwaZulu-Natal is home to the Drakensberg mountains (the Zulus call them the ‘Barrier of Spears’) in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a natural and cultural World Heritage Site owing to the mountains’ rock art and natural beauty, and a popular destination for local and international tourists alike. The mountains offer dramatic views and outdoor activities, and are an important cultural resource, containing many thousands of works of San rock art that date back to the late Stone Age.

Travellers can go to Drakensberg during the weekend, to stretch their limbs and indulge in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, hot air ballooning, helicopter rides and horseback riding trips into the mountains.

CAVING IN OUDSTSHOORN

Inland from the Cape’s famous Garden Route, travellers will find Oudtshoorn – popularly known as the ostrich capital of the world. The town is home to several interesting attractions like Cango Caves with its truly grand stalactite and stalagmite formations and Cango Wildlife Ranch, which offers thrilling crocodile-cage dives. It is also one of the few places in the world to enjoy a meerkat safari.

GO ON A BIG 5 ADVENTURE IN LIMPOPO

Known for its huge rivers, splashing hippos and immersive culture, Limpopo is one of the most interesting, and abundant provinces in South Africa. Here you will find vast open spaces with wildlife galore and breathtaking mountainous landscapes covered in mist. With seven of South Africa’s eleven official languages being spoken here, travellers stand a good chance of meeting people from a majority of the country’s ethnic groupings.

The region is also endowed with a remarkable number of game and nature reserves, housing the one of the country’s highest population of rhinos and a multitude of elegant antelope species. With Kruger National Park – the largest national park in Africa – situated here, this province can easily be termed the ‘mecca of wildlife.’ For some reason, the wildlife seems bigger and more exciting in this place of strong, gushing waterfalls, enormous trees, open sky, and never-ending bushland.

INDULGE IN WATER SPORTS AT SODWANA BAY

Sodwana Bay is located on the east coast of South Africa, in one of the most unique and unspoiled parts of the world. Sodwana’s spectacular coral reefs in a national marine protected area are among the southernmost in the world, and are a scuba diving and snorkeling mecca. Note to all those keen about fishing: game fish abound.

BUNGEE JUMPING IN THE EASTERN CAPE

The highest commercial bridge bungee jump in the world at the Bloukrans Bridge has a 216 meter gorge below. It is one of the ultimate activities to feature on any adrenaline seeker’s bucket-list while visiting South Africa. The growing popularity is evident by the fact that 12000 Indians jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge in 2017, making Indians the 3rd highest participating nationality for the activity.

SHARK-CAGE DIVING AT GANSBAAI

Great White Shark spotting is one of the biggest draws to South Africa. A trip to Rainbow Nation is incomplete without attempting the hair-raising shark-cage dive. In fact, Indians are the top 3rd nationality to undertake Shark-cage diving in South Africa. Gansbaai in the Western Cape is often credited as a hub for shark-cage diving, with multiple shark cage-diving outfits operating through the town. You could also explore options at Simon’s Town, Mossel Bay, Dyer Island, Seal Island, and Port Elizabeth, among other places.

THE WILD SWING AT ORIBI GEORGE

The highest gorge swing in the world is located on a waterfall cliff in the Oribi Gorge in southern KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Lowveld is full of adventure highs and Graskop’s gorge swing takes the cake. Prepare to free fall 68 metre, plummeting 0-160 km/h in 3 seconds, swinging out like a human pendulum across the gorge – the views are spectacular and so is the
after-rush.

HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARIS AT THE PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE

There’s nothing quite like drifting silently over an ancient landscape searching for the Big 5, while taking in the panoply of game on show. There’s a dazzle of zebras prancing along there; a journey of giraffes; there a crash of rhinos. Because you are above the animals, they take no notice of your flight and you can watch them going about their business undisturbed.

At 55 000 hectares, Pilanesberg is South Africa’s fourth-biggest game reserve – it lies in the eroded ring dyke of a 1.2-billion-year-old extinct volcano that once towered 7 000m above the plain. Tradition requires that a hot air balloon flight ends with a toast of sparkling wine. Say cheers to a good time!

HELICOPTER FLIPPING IN THE MIDLANDS

South Africa also offers a multitude of luxurious helicopter rides. Take a helicopter flip for a change of scenery and enjoy a view of the entire countryside in a single trip before choosing your drive-to destination, or swoop low over the ocean on a coastal flip and watch the dolphins at play in the breakers below.

Helicopter tours with a destination beyond Cape Town might include wine tasting or whale watching, while a similar trip in KwaZulu-Natal offers a visit to the scenic midlands or a Drakensberg helicopter tour to visit exotic and breathtaking destinations like Cathkin Peak, Vultures’ Retreat, Cleft Peak and the Organ Pipes.

ZIP LINING IN MPUMALANGA

Ziplining in Mpumalanga is fun, fast and furious, for anyone with the nerve to try it – although safety remains paramount, so even if you’re the nervous type, you might find the thrill is worth the leap of faith. You don’t need any special athletic skills or to be Iron Man-fit, you just need a little
courage.

Experienced guides will give you step-by-step instructions before you climb the 55 metres to the platform (take time to admire the gorgeous view). You are then strapped into a harness and hooked up to a zipline 450 metres long. Now, hold your breath – don’t close your eyes – leap over the edge, and away you go, hurtling down the cable at 90km/h. At the end of that exhilarating zipline – also called a zip slide – you’ll feel on top of the world.

ELEPHANT SAFARIS AT GQEBERHA

Gqeberha (earlier known as Port Elizabeth) houses South Africa’s third largest national reserve where travellers can watch hundreds of African elephants roam around freely, making it a great safari experience. The Addo National Park also has a thriving marine life and rich flora and offers the only Big 7 safari options in the world. This safari is a combination of marine safari searching for sharks and whales and the famous Big 5 safari. Port Elizabeth also includes Nelson Mandela Bay where one can find Route 67 – a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life.

WONDERFUL WEST COAST

A 90-minute drive from Cape Town, the West Coast is a local favourite for a restorative weekend away. Travellers can hike, explore bike trails through fynbos (small belts of natural shrub land), or visit the icy waters of Langebaan Lagoon for kayaking and sailing. West Coast National Park is great for spring wildflowers (between August and September when the blooms are at their peak). Southern right whales can be viewed between August to November.

BE BLOWN AWAY BY THE PANORAMA ROUTE

Your visit to the Rainbow Nation would be incomplete without a drive along the Panorama route. With some of the most unique and breathtaking scenery, the highlight of the route is the Blyde River Canyon: one of the longest chasms in the world, consisting of spectacular geological shapes and the most stunning scenic views of the country.

SURFING AT JEFFERYS BAY

Surfing is synonymous with South Africa, which is not surprising when one considers that we have 2000 km of coastline on which to search for a wave. Add to this mix ideal weather for the greater part of the year, and it’s not surprising that so many talented surfers have emerged from South Africa to take on the world’s best. A surfer’s life has its perks – the thrill of the waves, admiring glances, tanned bodies and a brotherhood that links surfers worldwide – so while you’re visiting, why not become part of the vibe? In the Eastern Cape, Jeffreys Bay (known universally as J-Bay) is the home of the legendary long right. J-Bay is where reputations are built and destroyed. You can also take a road trip to the scenic Eastern Cape to watch the pros carve up classic waves at Supertubes, Boneyards or The Point. Every single day in South Africa is a brand new adventure!

The intensification and expansion of bilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and India is one of the important directions of the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan. Mutual understanding and similarity of positions on international and regional issues and problems, active political dialogue between Kyrgyzstan and India creates favorable conditions for deepening and expanding the entire spectrum of cooperation between the two countries.

After gaining independence in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has begun its own way of development on principles of democracy with independent foreign policy. The corresponding democratic transformation took place in India much earlier. In this context, Kyrgyz side, of course, has been very interested in the positive experience of India as the largest democracy in the world.

Throughout the history of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of India, a number of mutual visits of the highest order took place. The Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic visited India in 1992, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2016 and 2019. The Prime Ministers and Vice-Presidents of India visited Kyrgyzstan in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2015 and 2019. During these visits, the foundations for the development of cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields were laid.

The Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has visited Kyrgyzstan twice, in 2015 and in 2019. At the same time, the visit of Mr. Modi to Kyrgyzstan in 2019 can be considered as a new era in the development of bilateral partnership, since following the visit, the parties signed a declaration on the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership relations. It would be fair to note that raising the level of relations between our countries provides for new obligations to take effective measures to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in a practical plane and deepen mutual trust.

There are also additional platforms between our countries, within which Kyrgyzstan and India interact – these are meetings of inter-governmental commissions and consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, interaction within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other international structures.

Separately, I would like to touch upon cooperation in the trade and economic area, in which there is fertile ground for cooperation in the mining, pharmaceutical, IT, textile, education, hydropower, agricultural, industrial and tourism sectors. However, both sides are not making full use of the existing potential. The trade turnover between the countries still has a great potential to rise, so in 2020 it amounted to around 48.4 million US dollars, of which exports from Kyrgyzstan to India – 6.7 million.

In this context, I would like to emphasize the words of the Hon’ble President of Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Sadyr Japarov: “A stable economy, open and transparent work of business structures, development of investment and entrepreneurial activities – in symbiosis, they are the key to a brighter future. I will protect and support every investor!”

In March 2019, I presented my Letters of Credence to the Hon’ble President of India Mr. Nath Ram Kovind and officially took up the duties of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic in India. On that day, I remember very well the words of Mr. Nath Ram Kovind that relations between Kyrgyzstan and India are developing steadily, on the basis of historical and civilizational ties and are supported by common democratic values.

In turn, India is a very close friend of Kyrgyzstan, the two states and peoples have a lot in common, and at present, our countries invariably continue to follow the same development path, first of all, in the development and strengthening of democratic institutions. I would like to emphasize that I fully share the words of the President of India and note my readiness to make maximum efforts for further mutually beneficial cooperation.

Next year, Kyrgyzstan and India will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In this regard, it is planned to hold a number of bilateral visits and events in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. Special attention will be paid to holding events within the framework of the cross year of cultures, which has also been postponed by mutual agreement to 2022.

The development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and India is one of the important areas of bilateral cooperation. Kyrgyzstan and India are connected by centuries-old history and culture, the long history of our cultural interaction testifies to the deep ties between the peoples of our countries, which are become stronger from year to year.

I would like to emphasize that Indian culture, Indian art, Indian history, Indian cuisine and Indian cinema are very popular among the Kyrgyz people. I can note that a whole generation of Kyrgyz people grew up watching Indian films. Representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic are happy to come to India to participate in various cultural festivals.

An important component in the field of cultural and humanitarian interaction is education sector. About 13 thousand Indian students study at the universities of Kyrgyzstan. The priority area for Indian students is the medical field, namely, general medicine. In Kyrgyzstan they not only study, but simultaneously explore our country, our people, our traditions and culture, make friends and save good memories.

It is very pleasant for us to realize that graduates of Kyrgyz universities work in various medical clinics in many states of India. Taking into consideration strong spiritual connection of our peoples, the development of public diplomacy, people to people contacts is one of the important pillars of bilateral relations between our countries.

Of course, Kyrgyzstan and India still have a lot to do to strengthen all areas of cooperation, but at the same time I would like to note that our countries have an appropriate attitude, which, I am sure, will give the necessary impetus to deepening partnership.

Belarus is located in the center of Europe at the intersection of many international routes. The territory of the country spans 207,600 km². Belarus is known for its hospitality and cordiality. Many foreigners who have visited the Republic of Belarus note the following aspects that motivated them to come:

ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

East and West, Middle Ages and hi-tech, ancient architecture and Stalinist Empire style, examples of Soviet mosaic painting and modern murals. Here, tourists can feel the smell of powder in vaults of fortresses and hear the sounds of a grand piano from the halls of palace and garden complexes.

NATIONAL COLOR

Contrast and ingenuity – these are the things that make the culture of Belarus original and unique. Here, historical heritage is preserved, and new street culture is being developed; national ornaments neighbor upon the trends of the world fashion, and natural landscapes are finely intertwined with modern industrial design.

LUXURY OF CALMNESS

Absence of stresses and relaxing rhythm of life together with modern infrastructure are the norm for any Belarusian town. Leaving the city, there is an opportunity to find a place for secrecy and inspiration, have a chance to speak to the nature and hear yourself.

RELICT FORESTS AND PURE LAKES

Find out about the secret life of the dwellers of ancient woods and feel the captivating breath of birch groves. Blue-eyed Belarus is paradise for photographers, where thousands of lakes replace the sea. This is the perfect place for precious days of rest.

EARTH ENERGY FOR HEALTH

Soft climate, natural cosmetics and medical staff that you want to trust have made Belarus a sanatory and resort brand. Treatment in underground salt mines, pure mineral water and fresh humid air are the calling card of Belarus. There are conditions for the development of almost all types of tourism in Belarus, but the most popular among foreign tourists are:

RURAL TOURISM

It is one of the most successful types of tourism in the Republic of Belarus. Thanks to the powerful preferences provided to this type of tourism, in 2021 there are 2,936 rural entities. At the beginning of 2021, the number of rural tourists amounted to 433 thousand people.

In 2016 and 2018 Belarus became the winner in the Rural tourism nomination of the National Geographic Traveler Awards rating.

In 2022, it is planned to conduct the International Forum on Tourism and Rural Development ‘Ensuring a Better Life for the Local Population’ in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Thus, rural tourism in Belarus is the cradle of the national cultural heritage, it strengthens the self-consciousness of the nation and demonstrates the hospitality of the people.

Rest on rural farmsteads in Belarus is an opportunity to plunge into the rural life of the country, use environmentally friendly products, retire with nature and restore your health.

SPA AND WELLNESS TOURISM

It is another type of tourism promoted in Belarus. Belarusian health resorts offer a good value for money, modern medical facilities and highly-qualified specialists.

Clean air of forests and lakes, comfortable accommodation, tranquility and calmness – what can be better for a tired body and mind. Belarusian health resorts boast good services, high-quality equipment and reasonable prices.

Apart from traditional spa services almost every health center has its own mineral water springs, including therapeutic radon water springs. Soligorsk has a unique underground speleotherapy clinic that offers highly effective treatment programs in salt caves.

Belarus is a great place for ecotourism, as it abounds in pristine natural environments and offers a variety of exciting wildlife expeditions.

There are natural areas in Belarus that you will not find anywhere else in Europe.

Belarus is among the ten most forested countries in Europe. Forests occupy 46% of the country area. Ecotourists are highly recommended to explore the country’s national parks Narochansky, Pripyatsky, Braslav Lakes, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, Nalibokskaya Pushcha, Blue Lakes and many other places of interest.

MEDICAL TOURISM

It is growing in popularity with foreigners. The country offers a wide range of medical services, from dentistry to qualified help in oncology, cardiology, ophthalmology, organ transplantation and IVF.

Medical tours are organized by specialized companies facilitating medical travel programs. They handle the paperwork, select a healthcare center, provide assistance in getting a visa and accompany the client if necessary.

Minsk is a convenient venue for hosting major business events.

Numerous exhibitions, conferences and forums are held in the Belarusian capital every year.

The business program is always complemented by a wide range of activities, including excursions, animation programs, quests, water tours, cycling, target shooting, eco-trail tours, dinners at farm stays, and a top-notch entertainment industry.

INDUSTRIAL TOURISM

The Republic of Belarus is an industrially developed country. There are more than 5,000 factories and plants. Several dozens of them offer tours to their production sites.

Tourists can see how the world’s largest dumping trucks, entered in the Guinness Book of Records, are made. In Belarus it is possible even to perform a test drive of a 130-ton dumping truck, or participate in manufacturing a tractor.

The country threw the door wide open for tourists as it launched the visa-free travel program.

The visa-free travel program is meant for tourists from 76 countries who arrive in Belarus through the Minsk National Airport. It makes visiting the country as simple and easy as possible. The period of visa-free travel for tourist purposes is up to 30 days. This applies to both solo travelers and organized groups. The only exception is that foreign citizens must arrive on flights not from the Russian Federation.

India is among these 76 countries. Indian citizens should have the following documents to travel to Belarus without applying a visa:

1) A valid multiple-entry visa of the EU or Schengen states with a mark of entry into their territory;

2) Air ticket with confirmation of departure from the Minsk National Airport within 30 days from the date of entry.

As in all countries of the world, COVID-19 has imposed certain restrictions on travel to the Republic of Belarus. For foreign citizens entry into Belarus through land checkpoints is temporarily suspended. But fortunately, the entrance is still open through air checkpoints.

When arriving through air checkpoints, all tourists, who have reached the age of six, should have a negative PCR test performed no later than 3 days before crossing the border and vaccination certificate. Self-isolation is necessary only for tourists who have COVID-infection.

The situation with COVID-19 in Belarus is developing in accordance with global trends. The number of new infections is falling, and the vaccination campaign is being actively pursued.Moreover,there is an opportunity to get a vaccine for foreign citizens. For these purposes, a special 5-day visa-free regime was introduced.

It is important to note that Belarus did not introduce a lockdown and did not suspend the activities of economic entities, which helped to avoid a significant negative economic effect. Among the current restrictions are only mask modes in transport and public places, social distancing.

Promotion activities on to international target markets continue. Belarus made it to the top ten countries to visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2019 list.

The publishing house welcomed the 30-day visa waiver and praised Belarus’ art and café scene. Describing Minsk, the travel guide pointed to ‘its impeccably restored Old Town centered around the graceful town hall’, where travelers can visit fashionable cocktail bars and join summer street parties.

Belarus is a clean and safe country, which is also an important part of tourists’ considerations. Cleanliness and safety are becoming Belarus’ competitive advantages on the global tourism market.

The Belarusian capital was named among the three cleanest cities in the world by the Street Digital Financial Media Company. Singapore and Tokyo went first and second.

Minsk topped the list of The Best European Cities to Visit in 2019 compiled by the British newspaper The Independent.

Two Belarusian restaurants got the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for extraordinary wine programs. The award was instituted by the New York-based Wine Spectator Magazine.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha made it into the list of 25 best trips to take in 2020 by National Geographic. National Geographic advises to
visit Belovezhskaya Pushcha in September-October.

Cooks in cafes have made delicious draniki, guides have prepared fascinating tours across picturesque locations, festivals have been organized in cities and villages, and the stoves in farm stays have been warmed up for tired travelers. Belarusians are ready to share the kindness and warmth of their hearts with their guests!

(Credit: Materials were provided by the Department of Tourism of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus)

PANAMA, THE HUB OF THE AMERICA

Being a logistics hub for the world requires not only the privilege of being in a perfect geographical position gifted by nature but demands onwards by their leaders a long-lasting strong logistic strategy and a practical infrastructure with diverse transportation channels.

The famousPanamaCanal cataloged one of the 7 Wonders of Engineering in the World is one of them. This inventive and majestic work has shortened the maritime distances, ships all over the world transit the canal in less than 24 hours. The Panama Canal is a symbol of global trade, through which flows 5% of all the world’s goods. Each year, over a million people visit the canal and can witness this engineering marvel at work and much more.

In 2009, Panama leaded one of the most ambitious megaprojects in the world, the expansion of the canal with a new third lock. Since its inauguration on June 26, 2016, the Expanded Canal not only exceeded traffic expectations but also reaffirmed its environmental leadership in the maritime industry, prioritizing water savings and contributing to the reduction of CO2, being a shorter route, and offering greater cargo capacity to its customers.

To achieve cargo transportation excellence, Panama handled the largest volume of cargo containers in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our world-class ports system handled a volume of 7.3M TEUs in 2019. Complementing this Maritime Infrastructure, we count on the first interoceanic train: Panama Railway Company that serves as a dry canal moving containers at land level connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The connection is our strength that is why we also take it at the air level. Panama has more than 34 countries’ destinations and 90 connections throughout America thanks to the extension of terminals on the Tocumen International Airport.

With so much movement we must have a free zone for the capacity of our trade, being the Colon Free Zone the second-largest duty-free in the world.

But Panama is much more than being a place of Connections, is just because of this that Business and Investment locate Panama on the spot.

With a Political, Economic, and having a dollarized economy with almost no inflation since 1904, this has helped Panama achieve solid financial stability, backed by a well-developed and long-established international banking center with over 60+ licensed international banks.

Panama counts with a great portfolio of attractive regimens and laws for investment. More than 170 multinational headquarters companies had already trusted in Panama and the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum have forecast a growth in Panama for 2021 of 10% to 12%.

PANAMA: A MUST STOP FOR ANY TOURIST

Besides Commerce and Investments Panama means also fun! Why choose one ocean, when in Panama, you can experience two? Plus, not only will you find over 3,000 kilometers of coastline along both sides of the mainland, but Panama is also famous for beautiful beaches and over 1,400 tropical islands featuring stunning scenes that you may have thought only existed in postcards. Also, we have the second biggest reef in the Oriental Pacific, perfect for whale watching, diving, and snorkeling.

But counting with these resources gave us a responsibility on conservation, and already this year we raised the protection of our marine areas to 30% – 2nd Latin American nation to achieve this within the framework of the UN’s 30×30 Initiative.

Panama accommodates huge tropical forest national parks ideal for observation, birdwatching, and a lot of adventures. To start, Panama has more bird species and plants than North America; this incredibly rich biodiversity—incorporated with the fact that Panama is the most forested country in Central America at 63% coverage—has made the tropical rainforests of Panama the most researched in the world. The Smithsonian has been studying the tropical biology of the area for over 100 years. And, you can come
to see it, too! The most valuable coffee in the world, the awarded and famous“Geisha Coffee” comes from one of these natural fields.

Panama is also a Cosmopolitan Country, a fusion of different cultures. Because of our connection to history and the titanic construction of the Panama Canal, a lot of people have passed through Panama and decided to stay. Panama City is the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America and a must-visit for any traveler in the area. The capital of Panama is 3 cities in one, with a historic district, a rebuilt district, and very modern areas. In the historic district experience the historical, charming and vibrant neighborhood of Casco Antiguo. Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, or the ‘old quarter,” is Panama City’s historic district.

Considered a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, the district dates back to 1673, and features vibrant plazas and picturesque brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings. The area is ideal for walking, discovering history and enjoying a variety of fine cuisine. Come for some of the city’s best gastronomy, culture and photo shots, and stay to mingle with the locals in the heart of the nightlife scene. Panama city is a vibrant and dynamic urban center and truly a cosmopolitan city in the middle of the tropics, so expect to see massive skyscrapers surrounded by breathtaking nature. Panama is a peaceful country that welcomes tourists from all over the world. Security is another important competitive advantage that Panama offers over most of the other countries in the region. According to the Global Peace Index of 2020, Panama is the fourth safest country in Latin America. We have the privilege of being a country with a stable climate through all the year and one of the three carbon negative countries in the world (Source: the second biennial update report). From the most researched tropical rainforest in the world; to breathtaking beaches; to a modern, skyscraper-filled Business District and a huge logistic hub. Therefore, the founders of this nation had the great vision and proclaimed on the national shield the motto of our country: For the benefit of the World.