The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, announced in Puerto Armuelles, Chiriquí, the development of projects aimed at boosting and revitalizing the economy of this province. Among these projects are the construction of the Port of Barú, the adaptation of the customs area in Paso Canoas, and the railroad. Mulino highlighted that these works, along with road, sewage, and health projects, create a development hub. He also emphasized that state entities are focused on training the residents of Puerto Armuelles so they can take advantage of the opportunities these projects will bring, which will benefit the entire province and the country. As an example, he mentioned the presence of top-level Japanese investors, prestigious international companies with a global presence, which «is not a coincidence, but the result of a management focused on generating trust and recovering the country's image». Among the president's announcements is a bilateral meeting in April with the outgoing and incoming presidents of Costa Rica to promote the Paso Canoas border area, and he announced that by December, the Bilateral Customs Post, which had been abandoned, should be completed. «Paso Canoas cannot continue with the enormous lines of trucks (we must) accelerate cargo mobility. Safely and reliably, that is what the meeting is for,» he added. Likewise, in March, he will meet with executives from Royal Caribbean Cruises, interested in establishing a site in Barú for the repair of their ships. In terms of road infrastructure, the Ministry of Public Works announced projects such as the rehabilitation of the Airport – Pedregal highway to the Seafood Market in David; a Tapahueco project in Alto Boquete and Volcán, and the interchanges in the city of David at the Unachi and Comasa company intersection. Regarding the construction of the Chiriquí-Panama railroad, the head of state explained that the feasibility report will be ready in May to determine the progress of this mega-project, and he assured that it will be managed responsibly to avoid abandonment, as happened with projects in previous administrations.
