As a country, we have much to offer to the field of international valuation

The adoption of international standards and the accreditation of professionals are two of the main objectives of the 34th Congress of the Union of Pan American Valuation Associations (UPAV), scheduled October 16-18 at Panama City’s Megapolis Convention Center.

“Between 500-600 appraisers from throughout the Americas –the United States and Canada included—are expected to attend. Our organization’s membership currently stands at 14,000 professionals from 16 countries of the region,” said UPAV president Armando Escalante, who also explained that, in addition to being ‘an educative and training alternative’ for the organization’s members, the event seeks to “…generate regional-level leadership within the field and to foster networking opportunities between our members and clients.”

According to Escalante –a native of Mexico—, the dynamism of Panama’s economy, which is considered one of the fastest growing in the region, was one of the factors UPAV considered in choosing the country as the site of this year’s event–a three-year process, according to the organization’s procedures. In this regard, he continued:

“For our organization, Panama represents not only an example in topics pertaining to valuation but also an attractive location in terms of hospitality and accessibility for all our members, thanks to its strategic location in the heart of the Americas”.

Benefits in two directions

“This is the second time our country hosts the UPAV congress after the 2007 edition, which turned out to be very successful. Since then, we have set the goal of seeking to host the event once again, and have been working on it since 2015.

As a country, we have much to offer to the field of international valuation, a proof of this being the establishment of the Panama Institute of Valuations and Surveys (IVAPPAN) in 1983, with the purpose of offering continuing education for professionals of the field, just as it serves as a consultancy tool at the national and international level. Internally speaking, nevertheless, we have been acknowledging the need to create awareness among local professionals on the multidisciplinary nature the modern valuation industry has acquired in recent years, as it now encompasses accountants, economists, and attorneys as well. This is undoubtedly one of the main objectives we seek by hosting the congress in Panama”.