SECRETARY'S INITIATIVE ON GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM

UNCLAS PANAMA 001753 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/CIP/BA NICOLAS FETCHKO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS EINT EAID PHUM PM SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S INITIATIVE ON GLOBAL INTERNET FREEDOM REF: STATE 142147 1.(U) Below is Post's response to the Department's request for information on AID programs which promote access to, and use of, the Internet in Panama: Project Name: Darien Program Recipient: Residents of Panama's eastern most province, Darien Project Description: In conjunction with the Darien chapter of the University of Panama and Panama's National Secretariat for Science and Technology, this program SIPDIS established an information center with internet access (initially dialup, now satellite) used by 500 students. The Darien program also includes the monthly transmittal via the internet of national and international agriculture prices to the local radio station, "Voice without Borders", which dedicates an hour weekly to broadcasting this information. Lastly, in conjunction with the Panama Canal Authority, this program built a communication center with six servers, A/V equipment, copier, printer and satellite Internet service for use by approximately 2000 people from nine surrounding communities. FY06 Funding: $32,000 Project Name: Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Recipient: Teachers Institute Project Description: As a component of Disaster Prevention, this project created a Documentation center equipped with six computers, printer, servers, fax machine and internet service for use by approximately 2,500 students and 600 teachers. FY06 Funding: $26,000 Project Name: Ruling Justly Recipient: Citizens Pro Justice Alliance Project Description: This project enabled the development of a new section of the alliance's webpage called "Citizens Corruption Watch." It is an interactive tool for use by civil society and the media. The objective is to monitor the prosecution and judicial rulings of high profile corruption cases, including up to date information on the procedural status of 20 pending cases. It monitors the actions or lack thereof, of the public agencies involved in the prosecution and rulings on these cases. The site also offers a compilation of daily newspaper articles, international anti-corruption conventions, local regulations and standards, and citizen participatory mechanisms. The site received over 1,000 hits the first week it was launched (August 28, 2006). FY06 Funding: $3,000 Project Name: Community Tourism Recipient: El Achiote Project Description: In conjunction with local NGO Los Rapaces, this project created a web page packaging and promoting the tourism attractions of the community. FY06 Funding: $3,000 Project Name: Authentic Panama Recipient: Panama Project Description: This project created a web page to connect individual tourism operators (transportation, fishing, accommodation, etc.) with travellers. FY06 Funding: $5,000 ¶2. (U) AID also has a multi-pronged Trade Capacity Building (TCB) program planned for FY07. The TCB Project is aimed at enhancing the export capacity of small and medium sized Panamanian firms and thereby creating employment and economic growth in critical economic sectors. In light of the expected conclusion of Free Trade negotiations between the U.S. and Panama, many new opportunities will open up to these firms. This project will provide consulting and technical assistance to firms interested in taking advantage of those opportunities in the priority sectors of agriculture, forestry, tourism, information technology and communication. Project Name: TCB Recipient: Smart Solution Marketing - D-Chain Project Description: D-Chain will develop a marketing strategy to provide services through the internet. FY07 Funding: $63,840 Project Name: TCB Recipient: Global Trading Hub Project Description: GTH is an eMarket place for the electronic trading of Latin American Food Producer services. GTH will add a new range of Internet services to permit agriculture producers to sell on-line with international buyers. FY07 Funding: $66,500 Project Name: TCB Recipient: The City of Knowledge Project Description: The City of Knowledge is an international complex for education, research and innovation. It has been developed to promote and facilitate synergy between universities, scientific research centers, businesses, and international organizations. This project will develop a website to train small to medium enterprises on how to export their products and services. FY07 Funding: $66,500 ARREAGA