Panama, like the rest of Latin America, is urbanizing so quickly that the great majority of its problems are urban problems. Traffic, garbage, crime and poverty reduce quality of life for downtown residents, causing many to move far outside the city or into isolated high-rises and gated communities. The result is more inequality, more pollution, less commerce and a lower standard of living for all.

To many these seem like problems only government can tackle, but we believe that a private company with vision, capital and a cooperative attitude can play a critical role.