Large Spanish companies, among them Gas Natural Fenosa, Ineco, Iberia will invest in Panama's vision for infrastructure expansion.

The country's President, Juan Carlos Varela, presented these investment plans during his speech at the New Economy Forum, which includes the construction of two new subway lines, health and sports facilities, processing systems and management water, electricity interconnections and implementation of natural gas in the country.

In this Act, the Chairman of Gas Natural Fenosa, Salvador Gabarró, publicly offered "collaboration" of the company in Panama its implementation natural gas plans. "It is unfortunate that Panama, where to spend so much methane, does not have natural gas. We offer a 170 years of experience as operators of gas, "said Gabarró to Varela.

The President of Sacyr, Manuel Manrique, the company that runs the expansion of the Canal, has also expressed interest in the work that the country develops.

INECO AND IBERIA

Moreover, during his speech, the President of Panama disclosed inviting Ineco the Consultancy Engineering of the Ministry of Public Works to enter the contest of ideas that the country will convene for the design of the Metro Line 3 because its route crosses the Panama Canal.

The construction of two extra subway lines in the nation's capital, will be the subject of a tender, and also will be major work planned in the country, with the implementation of water treatment and sewage systems, a program of new roads that will connect the Pacific Coast to cities in the center of the country, or the expansion of the Tocumen Airport.

The President of Panama also plans to rely on companies and airlines to the effects of stimulus packages of tourism to transform the industry into a key sector of the country, the growth in the coming years has been forecast around 6% to 7%.

In this sense, Varela hopes Iberia will "soon" service a direct connection with Panama, in this case from Barcelona.

OPEN TO SPANISH COMPANIES

"I pledge to strengthen and promote economic relations and business between the two countries and to support companies that bet on the country, which I guarantee legal certainty, as well as transparency to comply with the contractual procedures" proclaimed Varela.

However, he warned that in terms of "complex work" technical and economic bids submitted by companies will be evaluated according to the same extent, "Only companies that can demonstrate their formation may compete with prices following a pre-qualification for the project whether he is," said Varela.

"We have Spanish engineering in high regard, we are very pleased with the work that Spanish companies develop and our doors are open to all," invited the president, which provides that "Panama is a great opportunity."