As the prominent impresario that you are, we'd like to know briefly how you have fared in Panama's entrepreneurial realm. I came to Panama on January 1, 2000, with the Club open for eighteen months and in a highly complicated financial bind. The first challenge I took on was to change the modus operandi in a way to make it fit better in Panama's situation at the time rather than a cutout mould for the U.S. We managed to cut down dramatically on extra expenses and step up throughput.

How did the idea of founding the Panama City Club ever pop up and what are the precedents or links to the Club Corp? That was the result of a well-known group of Panamanian businesspeople and professionals who managed to strike the attention of the Club Corp in order to open a Business Club in Panama, alongside projects in Caracas and Guayaquil in a bid to step up that corporation's presence in the continent. Due to a number of reasons, the other clubs didn't thrive, except the one in Panama that managed to get by thanks to a sea change in management style and the unfettered support given by Banistmo. It not only survived, but it's also growing on a regular and steady basis.

What are the elements the single out the City Club? It's characterized by its business leadership in Panama. I must say -and I'm not overstating- that as much as 85 percent of all acquisitions, mergers and strategic alliances this country has seen over the past six years has taken place in the intimacy and fanciness of our halls.

Who can be Club members and what are the requirements to join it? The Club doesn't discriminate against gender, race, belief or ideas. Having good reputation in the industry and being financially sound can make you a member of this world-class Club, basically sumptuary and not cut out for those who might have a bad time complying with the membership's minimum requirements.