Tocumen SA has been ordered to temporarily suspend the tender to select the company that will oversee the construction of the South Terminal.
The Public Procurement Directorate (CMPD) took the decision after receiving a complaint lodged by the CSA Group Panama, Inc, who argued that the changes made to the specification could favor one participant.
CSA Group Panama, Inc, claims that they changed the evaluation criteria to qualify the experience of the participants, as it originally stated that 10 points would be allocated to bidders attesting to being hired in Panama, in the last five years, for at least 10 consulting services in the area of public infrastructure for private or public entities.
The upcoming opening of the International Airport of Rio Hato will enable large investments in the tourism industry, making an overall impact on the economy of the Panamanian province.
Prensa.com reports that "The start of operations next August of the international airport in the Central Provinces will pave the way for millions in investment in new hotels, shopping centers and residences, which in turn will generate hundreds of jobs, which will mark Rio Hato as a magnet for economic over and above that of Coronado. "
In a reversal of the decision of having them administered by Tocumen SA, the airports of David, Colon and Rio Hato will be granted in concession to private companies.
The Panamanian government now believes that it would not be suitable for Tocumen SA to manage – along with Tocumen International Airport - these airport terminals, which are being remodeled at a cost of $138 million.
Works on the adaptation and renovation of what will be the third international airport in Panama are 70% complete.
A statement by the Presidency of Panama reads:
President Ricardo Martinelli, with the Minister of Public Works, Jaime Ford, conducted an inspection of the construction area of the project to adapt and renovate the Scarlett Martinez airport and the tunnel on the Panamerican Highway which crosses the runway, a project that is the first of its kind in Latin America.