Duty free shops at Tocumen.

DUTY FREE SHOPS AT TOCUMEN. The Government will select the companies who will have a presence at the North Terminal and the concessions will be granted under the mechanism of an "invitation", reports Prensa.com (March 28, 2012). Airport management said the bylaws of the terminal allows these direct contracts, side stepping the mechanisms of PanamaCompra. A shortlist of companies has been made and they have been invited based on their previous experience. There are about 20 shops that will be commissioned in the airport's newly expanded area for toy stores, stores that sell handbags, perfumes, luxury accessories and clothing for children. Tocumen SA expects to raise about $30 million with awards. Airport management has negotiated store openings directly with Rolex, Carolina Herrera and National Geographic. Juan Carlos Pino, manager of Tocumen, SA, said the installation of Rolex and Carolina Herrera at the airport is in response to a pilot plan, as these labels do not have stores in airport terminals. Meanwhile, National Geographic has set up its first "museum shop" in Panama, the first of its kind outside of the United States.