A feasibility study indicates that the region has economic and port potential to develop a system of short sea shipping.
After evaluating 49 ports with international traffic in the region, a feasibility study prepared by the Mesoamerica Project concluded that no large investments in access infrastructure are needed in order for ports to boost regional shipping.
Building a modern highway from Colombia to Mexico would provide a big boost to the economic integration of the isthmus.
Unlike the hitherto unproven economic viability of various other inter-oceanic canal projects (wet and dry) announced in virtually every country of the region, a "dry canal", which would improve the current transit conditions of goods and people from Mexico to Colombia, does appear to be the best investment in infrastructure for the isthmus.
The preliminary results have been released from a feasibility study on the development of a Short Sea Shipping service in Mesoamerica.
As part of this project, a feasibility study was conducted over the last 12 months, which assessed the movement of cargo from ports with international traffic in the 49 countries that make up the Mesoamerican block (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic).
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has prioritized the project to construct a 3,200km road system from Mexico to Panama.
The IDB has targeted $1,800 million annually to developing its "Mesoamerican Project". This program includes the Pacific Corridor highway network as one of its top priorities.
"The bank estimates that these works will require investments of $125 million in Mexico, $66 million in Guatemala, $222 million in El Salvador, $89 million in Honduras, $177 million in Nicaragua, $345 million in Costa Rica and $46 million in Panamá," reports Sigloxxi.com.
This donation will boost the Pacific Corridor project, a highway system connecting Mexico with Panama.
The initiative seeks to improve infrastructure and road safety, and to make trade easier by improving customs procedures and controls.
$1.1 million are earmarked to make it easier to cross the national borders, contributing to make vehicle and goods transit more efficient, fostering regional trade.
The Tuxtla Summit concluded with the full incorporation of Colombia and new compromises under "Proyecto Mesoamérica"
In the final declaration, it was established to "accelerate the electrical interconnection in the region, and conclude works on the Mesoamerican Information Highway (internet link)".
"The summit, hosted by Costa Rican president Oscar Arias, was attended by Colombian president Alvaro Uribe; Felipe Calderón, from Mexico; Ricardo Martinelli, Panamá; Mauricio Funes, El Salvador; Álvaro Colom, Guatemala, as well as officials from Honduras, Belize and Dominican Republic".
BCIE has $33 million available for long term housing financing in Central America.
These funds, administered by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, also known as BCIE, were provided by the Mexican Government, through the Mesoamérica Project.
Elsalvador.com publishes: "From the $33 million, $32.376.000 can be used for granting guarantees and micro financing, and the remaining $250.000 for technical assistance.
The second phase of the International Merchandise Customs Transit (TIM) project in the customs zones of Central American countries begins.
After the pilot project is conducted at El Amatillo customs zone between Honduras and El Salvador, it is expected to be extended to the customs zones in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Central America and Mexico agreed on a plan to harmonize the rules on weights and dimensions allowed on roads and ports.
The Directorate of the Mesoamérica Project announced in a press release: "The main priority in this plan is to simplify procedures and improve the weight control and dimensions that apply in ports and roads in the region with the objective of those countries saving in investments."
The Central American Freeway of Information (AMI) is at 62% completion according to what was reported by Eduardo Cálix, the committee president of Project Mesoamerica.
Many consider that now is the moment to define the conditions and rules of use for the network, which should be finished in the middle of 2009 and should begin to operate before the end of the year.
IDB approves financing for the feasibility study for reactivating the railroad system in the region for cargo transport.
Participating in the dialogue to obtain financing was Eduardo Calix, Vice Minister of Foreign Affiars and Presidential Commissioner for the Mesoamerica Project (MP), who attended the MP Executive Committee meeting where IBD agreed to provide $300,000 in support of the project.