FIABCI 67th World Congress Takes Place in Panama City, Panama

NEW YORK, NY and PARIS, FRANCE and PANAMA CITY, PANAMA--(Marketwired - May 25, 2016) -  Approximately 500 real estate industry leaders from 65 countries have descended upon Panama City, Panama this week to attend the 67th FIABCI World Congress. This is the first time this respected industry event has taken place in a Latin American country.

"The FIABCI World Congress in Panama will offer our participants a unique perspective focused on 'Connecting Development for a Better World.' Panama's expanding and dynamic real estate market and strong economic potential makes this a perfect venue for this year's event," explained Danielle Grossenbacher, FIABCI World President.

The conference theme, "Connecting Development for a Better World," serves as the basis for the program, which is filled with world-class speakers, international networking and marketing sessions and exciting recreation and study tours, where participants will experience all that Panama has to offer. Special guests include the President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, and Panama's Ministry of Housing Mario Etchelecu. There will also be a unique presentation by the famous Venezuelan Kinetic Artist Carlos Cruz-Diez, whose innovative artwork integrates sculpture with architecture.

Eric Van Hoorde, President of ACOBIR, the organizing association of the event, explains that "the organization of this global real estate congress represents a country event of great significance and is an excellent opportunity for Panama, due to the fact that in recent years we have grown significantly in the global real estate sector. Thousands of people consider Panama as the ideal place to live and do business, due to its important first class infrastructure and its relevant tourist attractions that give the city a cosmopolitan destination connotation."

Ivan Carlucci, President of FIABCI-Panama, added that this event will create new business relationships with representatives of the real estate industry around the world who are visiting from May 21 to 26. "Our goal is to encourage multi-national real estate companies to become established here, especially with vast opportunities generated by the opening of the canal expansion next month. We are committed to being the best hosts for the more than 50 delegations from 65 countries on five continents that visit us," said Carlucci.

Katherine Shahani, President of the Organizing Committee for ACOBIR and former President of ACOBIR, referred to the FIABCI World Congress program, which includes global networking events, social activities that will strengthen links between participants and organizations, theme forums, vital presentations from national and international exhibitors, as well as a social program filled with a series of sightseeing and shopping tours. The agenda was designed to combine robust international business with tourism.

One of the many highlights during the Congress will be the FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. The FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence, considered the "Oscar" of the real estate industry, is a prestigious honor that recognizes real estate development projects that best embody excellence in all real estate disciplines involved in its creation and illustrates the FIABCI ideal of "providing society with the optimal solution to its property needs." Panama has a nomination with the project The Reserve of Grupo Los Pueblos, winner of the Panama Real Estate Grand Master 2015.

For more information about the FIABCI World Congress, visit the website www.fiabci.org

About ACOBIR

It is the Panamanian Association of Real Estate Brokers and Promoters (ACOBIR), a nonprofit organization that brings together the most prestigious brokerage firms and real estate promoters. Founded in 1973, ACOBIR has conducted great work on behalf of the interests of the brokerage industry and promotion of real estate.

Its contribution to the industry includes participation in the legislative proposals for the establishment of incentives, cooperation in the enactment of laws of traditional benefit for the industry and participation in various issues of national and collective interest.

About FIABCI

FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, is a business network of real estate professionals worldwide. FIABCI provides access and opportunity for real estate professionals interested in gaining knowledge, sharing information and conducting international business with each other. With members in 65 countries, including 100 Professional Associations, 65 Academic Institutions and 3000 individual members from all professions of the real estate sector, FIABCI is the most representative organization of the real estate industry in the world and holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.