Author: OBG Admin

Daniel Asare-Kyei-CEO-Esoko; Curtis Vanderpuije-CEO-ExpressPay; and Daniel Marfo-General Manager-Zipline Ghana

Logistical motion: Intriguing developments in industrial real estate

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Industry has not traditionally been among the largest sectors of Panama’s economy, which is based largely on services – especially transport and logistics, which make up more than one-fifth of GDP – but recently the sector has begun to benefit from the development of value-added services. A sizeable number of companies have in recent years begun trying to leverage Panama’s connectivity to develop industry-related activities like storage and value-added services, including labelling, repackaging and cargo consolidation (see Transport and Logistics chapter). Growing Stock Buoyed by the value-added services market, Panama’s industrial real estate segment is showing new promise. CBRE Panama, a real estate services firm,

George Richani-CEO-Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait

Bright future: Capitalising on opportunities in solar and wind

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In a country with over 60% of its electricity generation capacity powered by hydroelectric plants, renewable energy is no novelty in Panama. However, the need to diversify the generation base has led to interest in other technologies, especially wind and solar. Panama has good resources available for both. The average annual sum of global horizontal irradiance for the central region approaches 5-5.5 KWh per sq metre per day, compared to Germany’s less than 3.01 KWh per sq metre per day, translating to over 60% more sunshine. Solar The Latin American solar industry has been flagged by Greentech Media (GTM) as one of the most interesting

Daniel Asare-Kyei-CEO-Esoko; Curtis Vanderpuije-CEO-ExpressPay; and Daniel Marfo-General Manager-Zipline Ghana

Opportunity abounds: Authorities are working to attain digital inclusion for all citizens

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Number portability enables both fixed-line and mobile customers to keep the same number when changing from one telecoms operator to another. By most measures, it is considered an essential consumer right, as well as a way to increase competition in the market. Implemented for the first time in Hong Kong in 1995, the process soon became available in most European states, the US and highly developed countries in Asia. In Latin America, the pioneers of number portability were Mexico and Brazil; both began offering the service in 2008. After a couple of years of indispensible technical and juridical preparations, Panama began implementing number portability in

George Richani-CEO-Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait

Looking ahead: A multimillion-dollar plan has been launched to revitalise the sector

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On July 29, 2014, soon after assuming office, the government of Juan Carlos Varela unveiled a multimillion-dollar plan to revive the agricultural sector at the National Agriculture Institute (Instituto Nacional de Agricultura, INA). The plan, known as pacto nacional por el agro, or the national pact for agriculture, proposes 10 measures to incentivise local production in an effort to enhance the country’s food security. Restructuring A central part of the plan is the restructuring of INA, which is expected to improve technical training and attract more youth to address an ongoing shortage of labour. A total of $22m has been allocated towards this goal. “The

Daniel Asare-Kyei-CEO-Esoko; Curtis Vanderpuije-CEO-ExpressPay; and Daniel Marfo-General Manager-Zipline Ghana

In demand: Efforts to expand technical and vocational training increase as the skills shortage continues

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A shortage of skilled workers remains one of the most commonly voiced concerns of business professionals in Panama. The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Competitiveness Report 2014-15” lists an inadequately educated workforce as the second-most problematic factor in doing business in the country. With the skills shortage having an impact on the labour market, authorities are looking at ways to align education with labour market demands. Shortage Though the trend affects a number of Latin American economies, Panama’s status is especially concerning. A survey by ManpowerGroup

Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al Sabah-Chairman-Commercial Bank of Kuwait

Maintaining relevance: Staying ahead of intellectual property developments

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The most recent and relevant developments related to intellectual property (IP) in Panama have been the amendment of Law 35 of 1996 (Panama’s Industrial Property Law) through Law 61 of 2012, and the amendment of Law 15 of 1994 (Copyright Law) through Law 64 of 2012. These amendments have enabled Panama to update two laws that for many years were considered models for the IP in the region. Panama has updated its IP laws in order to keep up with the changing world and new technologies. It adheres to the oldest instruments of law in the field, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial

Éric N’guessan-Managing Partner-EY Côte d’Ivoire

Next generation: The country rolls up its sleeves to launch its 4G mobile network

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New spectrum allocations and a fourth mobile licence offering are expected to provide a fillip for Turkey’s telecoms sector, which in recent years has benefitted from rising mobile and internet penetration, driven by its young, tech-savvy population. In March 2015 the transport and communications minister, Lütfi Elvan, announced a tender for 4G mobile data services, which is expected to end in August. Bids were sought in bandwidths of 800, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz, with an initial roll-out planned by the end of 2015. The government aims to extend 4G services to at least 90% of the population within six years, Elvan said. ECONOMIC

Daniel Asare-Kyei-CEO-Esoko; Curtis Vanderpuije-CEO-ExpressPay; and Daniel Marfo-General Manager-Zipline Ghana

Who you gonna call?: The take-off of business process outsourcing in Turkey

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As the private sector increasingly focuses on customer service as a way to retain business, Turkey’s call centre and business process outsourcing (BPO) sector has gained considerable traction in recent years. Already home to thousands of BPO centres covering operations for telecoms operators, airlines and financial institutions, the industry will continue expanding in 2015, fed by a young and educated workforce, strategic geographic positioning and government incentives aiming to increase growth in underdeveloped regions. RECENT GROWTH: Since opening its first call centres in the 1990s, Turkey’s BPO sector has seen enormous growth. The Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey reports that the industry hit

Share analysis: Bumi Serpong Damai – real estate

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The Company Established in 1984, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSDE) is a property developer well known for its success in developing BSD City in Serpong, Banten, from a mere plot of land into a highly populated satellite city with over 160,000 people. The city is accessible through two toll roads, namely, the Jakarta-Serpong and Bintaro-Serpong routes, taking approximately half an hour (assuming light traffic). In 2014, BSDE launched at least 15 residential clusters, two commercial areas and two apartment towers. Aside from its main core in BSD City, Serpong, the company has also developed several residential projects, such as Grand Wisata in Bekas, West Java; Kota

Share analysis: Kalbe Farma – pharmaceuticals

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The Company Kalbe Farma (KLBF) was established in 1966 in a humble garage house in North Jakarta by six siblings: Khouw Lip Tjoen, Khouw Lip Hiang, Khouw Lip Swan, Boenjamin Setiawan, Maria Karmila and F Bing Aryanto. For over 40 years, the company has been aggressively expanding its business, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, to become a provider of integrated health care solutions. It acquired Dankos Laboratories in 1977, Bintang Toedjoe and Hexpharm Jaya in 1985, Woods’ brand and Saka Farma Laboratories in 1997, as well as Sanghiang Perkasa in 1993.KLBF has also been active in research and development (R&D) for leading-edge generic drug