Date Posted: January 06, 2009.

Mayor of Panama City, Juan Carlos Navarro, hands over the key to Panama City to Denis O’Brien, Founder and Chairman of Digicel Group. Digicel launched in Panama on December 2nd, 2008 with an investment of US$350 million while generating more than one thousand new jobs

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA:

Denis O’Brien, the Founder and Chairman of Digicel Group, the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Central American market, was yesterday granted the key to Panama City by Juan Carlos Navarro, the Mayor of Panama City, in recognition of Digicel’s significant contribution to the future growth of the country.

According to Juan Carlos Navarro, Mayor of Panama City: “It is a great honour for us to recognize the work of a person who has achieved so much in the world of telecommunications and has now placed his trust in Panama as a good market in which to invest. We welcome Digicel’s entrance into Panama which has already generated new opportunities for employment and further strengthened the growth of our economy.”

Digicel launched operations in Panama on December 2nd, 2008, with an investment of US$350 million. The company has generated more than 300 direct and 700 indirect jobs to date.

“I’m deeply touched to receive such an honour,” said Denis O’Brien, Chairman of Digicel Group. “As an international investor, it means a lot to be so welcomed here. Panama promises to be a very exciting market for Digicel and we are proud to offer the best coverage, the best service and the best value. Just as in each of our markets, Digicel is fully committed to contributing to the social and economical development of this country.”

The Irish entrepreneur also recognized Panama as one of the most exciting economies in the world today. According to the Economic and Finance Minister of Panama, the economy of Panama will grow by 7.5% in 2009. With a population of more than 3.4 million, mobile penetration is estimated at 71%. Digicel is maximizing growth potential with the most modern GSM network in the country, offering services to many communities for the first time ever.

Denis O’Brien founded Digicel in 2001, with the launch of a GSM mobile network in Jamaica. Seven years later, Digicel has operations in 31 markets worldwide with total investments exceeding US$3.4 billion and more than 6.5 million customers. In Central America, Digicel operates in El Salvador, Honduras and Panama.

As a leading international entrepreneur, Denis O’Brien has successful enterprises in telecommunications, radio, airline leasing, real estate, golf and multimedia.

Outside of business interests, Denis O’Brien is President and Co-Founder of the Human Rights non profit agency Frontline. He was Chairman of the Special Olympics World Games 2003 in Ireland.

The Digicel Foundation has contributed millions of dollars (US$) to community projects and hurricane relief across the Caribbean in the last four years.