The Government of Panama and the Panama Canal Authority are in the final stage of an agreement for the sale of state lands that the Canal needs to acquire to advance its port projects in the Corozal area and adjacent zones. This step is essential to be able to launch the bidding documents and advance the pre-qualification of the two new ports. Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman, confirmed to SNIP Noticias that an understanding already exists between the parties and that the process is in the execution phase. In a previous interview with SNIP Noticias, the Canal's administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, explained that part of the necessary lands remained pending from the transaction with the Central Government in 2023. The Panama Canal had previously warned that the lack of these lands had delayed the definition of the pre-qualification terms, which were initially expected for the end of 2025 or early 2026. The value of the new transaction has not yet been disclosed and is subject to appraisals and the formal closing of the agreement between the State and the Canal administration. Chapman confirmed that the proceeds from the operation would go to the State's coffers, as is the case with other sales of government assets. He also affirmed that these lands are absolutely required to carry out this development.
