The Varela administration is considering granting a concession for the production of drinking water in the Lake Bayano reserve and developing the Indian River watershed.
Securing a future water supply in a country where the average consumption is twice that of other Latin American countries should be a priority for the government, the private sector claims.
President Varela announced that a tender will be launched for the construction of 15,000 homes each valued at between $30,000 and $40,000, in Las Garzas de Pacora, Panama Province.
During an inspection visit to the area measuring about 325 hectares, the president announced the construction of public infrastructure works in the area along with tenders for water works and sanitation projects, electricity works, hospitals, schools, institutional and commercial areas, public spaces for recreation and sports, landscaping, and security.
The Varela administration has presented plans to develop projects this year, announcing that after negotiating with contractors, work will resume on 'Health City 'and 'Sports City' in Chiriqui.
Among the new projects that President Varela announced for this year, are the first 'Higher Bilingual Technical Institute ", with capacity for 5000 students, the fourth bridge over the Canal, Metro line 3, the expansion of the roads Panama -Arraiján (eight lanes) and Chorrera-San Carlos (six), the new water treatment plants in Santiago, Gatun and Sandy, and expansion of those in Chilibre and Sabanitas, sewerage networks and treatment plants in Santiago and David, the extension of the 'hydraulic ring' in the capital, and the construction of sewerage systems in district capitals.
Despite complaints from the private sector, the government has announced that it will maintain the measure on 22 products from the basic basket during the first half of 2016.
President Varela announced that they are considering to include more products in the list of controlled prices, a measure which in January will be extended until June 2016.
The government plans to tender the expansion to six lanes of the Inter American Highway, between the districts of La Chorrera and San Carlos, in the province of Panama West.
President Varela explained that the first phase of the enlargement will on the stretch comprising the Bridge of the Americas to Arraiján, and that the tender must be made in the next 30 days.
The government plans to analyze the feasibility of building a light rail line which would connect line 3 with other provinces, in a first stage to Penonomé, a second to Santiago and a third to David, Chiriqui.
In a statement on Presidencia.gob.pa, it is indicated that "... along with the construction of Metro Line 3 to the sector of West Panama, the administration has scheduled the feasibility studies necessary for the construction of a Light Rail line to connect Line 3 with the rest of the country, through a first tranche to Penonomé, a second to Santiago and a third stretch to David, Chiriqui.
Specifications are being drawn up for the launch of a tender in December for a water treatment plant for $150 million in La Chorrera, and another for $50 million for the area of Arraijan, Veracruz and Howard.
The construction of the water treatment plants is part of a comprehensive plan to clean up Panama West, comprising of several stages and various works in the districts of the province.
The government has announced the provision of $6.5 million for purchasing vehicles and bulletproof vests to strengthen prevention duties in the east of the country.
From a statement issued by presidency of Panama:
Members of the National Police Force in Panama this Friday received a visit from President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, who in conjunction with the Security Minister Rodolfo Aguilera and director Omar Pinzon reviewed progress on security and evaluated the needs for strengthening the fighting strength of the entity.
The government has filed a request for entry as an observer to CARICOM and has proposed to the Caribbean block the start of negotiations for a free trade agreement.
The negotiation of a trade agreement with the bloc would increase the exchange of agricultural and manufactured goods, and improve the position of Panama as a logistics hub and tourist destination among the Caribbean countries.
While the government insists on convincing indigenous communities to lift the blockade, the concessionaire views its investment as under threat.
EDITORIAL
Four weeks after natives and indigenous groups in the area blocked access to works on the hydroelectric project Barro Blanco, President Varela insists on dialogue - until now "deaf," - as a mechanism to resolve the conflict, which has paralyzed work for 5 months without taking measures to affirm the rule of law and legal certainty, investment, and national development plans, in this case for energy.
President Varela has vetoed the obligation to coordinate with agrifood chains the controls planned for imports and demands for sanitary requirements from countries that use measures of reciprocity.
The veto is based on the need to respect existing trade agreements, and has caused trouble for farmers who say that they obey the interests of importers.
The parsimony of the Varela administration in decision making and implementation of relevant projects is affecting the competitiveness of the Panamanian economy.
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Panama argue that "... We've come from a state where everything was fast to one that is slow, leading to a conflict not only in terms of perception, but also the numbers that are reflected, "that is to say, the results.
In a meeting with private sector representatives, President Varela said he will not establish new taxes over the next four years.
The president, Juan Carlos Varela, made a commitment to the business sector to not execute any reform to the tax code in the remaining years of his administration. In order to finance the Government Strategic Plan for 2019, which envisages an investment of $19 billion, he assured that the state will generate the necessary resources as it would be enough "... to put the house in order and not commit acts of corruption."
With the participation of over 600 companies from over 35 countries Panama's most important trade fair in Central America has been inaugurated.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama:
With the participation of over 600 companies gathered in more than 850 exhibition booths representing over 35 countries from North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), today inaugurated Expocomer 2015, the thirty-third version of the most important trade show in Panama and the region.