Panama Diamond Exchange President Akerman Visits Israel, India

(IDEX Online News) – Panama Diamond Exchange President Erez Akerman will be visiting Israel and India over the coming two weeks to meet with members of diamond trades in both countries to discuss the opportunities available in the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center, Latin America's first dedicated diamond, colored gemstone and jewelry trading complex, which currently is under construction in Panama City.

Akerman will be holding meetings in the Ramat Gan/Tel Aviv area from May 11 to 16, and in the Mumbai area from May 19 to 23.  

Akerman recently visited Antwerp where he met with a range of companies, several of which have already signed commitments to take up office space in the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center.

"Interest in the project is high, with members of the trade keen to be among the first to establish a permanent place in the new Latin American trading complex," Akerman said. "Our goal is to have a good representation from all the various trading centers, but during the first phase of the development program space will be limited. Those who sign up first will obviously get preference."

The development of Phase I of Panama Gem & Jewelry Center in Panama City is progressing on the initial two-story building that will serve as the headquarters of PDE, including its administrative offices and 300 square-meter trading floor. The building, which will also provide office space for leasing for up to 59 local, regional and international companies, is scheduled for completion before end of the third quarter of this year.

The second phase of the project will feature a multi-story tower, in which offices can be purchased. Construction will begin in 2015, with a finish date scheduled for 2017. Tenants in the Phase I building will get the first pick of offices in the Phase II tower.