Panamanian president details 2019 infra goals

During the first half of 2019, which will also mark the last months of the current administration, Panama will achieve important infrastructure milestones, according to President Juan Carlos Varela.

Speaking at the opening of the current legislature's fifth and final session period on Wednesday, Varela (pictured) delivered a state of the union address in which he highlighted the infrastructure projects completed during his administration and those he is hoping to advance before his five-year term ends in July.

According to the president, his administration steadily progressed toward achieving some of the goals he established, including Colón's urban renewal project and the program to boost basic sanitation nationwide.

He also noted that line No. 2 of Panama City's metro system, for which works began in 2015, is set to partially open on January 17 for the Catholic Church's World Youth Day.

The opening of the line will benefit 500,000 residents of the city's eastern sector, Varela said.

He added that his government has invested around US$21bn, including infrastructure works. As such, he thanked the 40,000 workers who built the public infrastructure works, and the 6,000 metro system workers involved in the construction of line No. 2.

More projects slated to be completed this year are a convention center and a cruise ship terminal in Amador's causeway and the launch of construction works on a fourth bridge over the Panama Canal. Bids for a third metro line and the awarding of the respective contract is also planned before mid-year.

The government is further expecting to complete ongoing highway, basic sanitation, school, and hospital infrastructure projects. Works will start for a new oncology hospital in Panama City and another US$180mn hospital in Penonomé, Coclé province.

The expansion of Tocumen international airport is scheduled to open in April, Varela announced.

He said that the studies for a Panama City-David rail line, helped along by China, will also be ready "within the next few months."

According to the president, some US$16bn in public works contracts were tendered during his administration.