A delegation comprising the project director and lead architects for the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center visited the Israel Diamond Exchange complex where they studied the overall infrastructure with particular interest in security, logistic and operational systems. Construction of Phase II of the Center, which is going to be the only dedicated hub for the Latin American diamond, coloured gemstone and jewellery trade, is set to begin in 2015.

The team, which included Juan Manuel Henriquez, the Project Director at Grupo Verdeazul, the lead developer of the Panama Gem & Jewelry Center, and Ignacio Mallol and Eric Den Eerzamen of Mallol & Mallol, the prominent Latin American firm of architects that is designing the complex, met with senior officials and managers from IDE and government as well as representatives of security and logistics firms, insurance operators, banks and leading diamond companies.

"There are numerous parallels between the Israel Diamond Exchange complex in Ramat Gan and what is being developed in Panama City, and for this reason it is an ideal venue to see the various systems in operation and consider how they may best be applied in Panama," said Henriquez.

“Much of what we learned will be incorporated into our facility in Panama City," he added.