The project to build a new Metro system in Panama City, the flagship project of the Martinelli administration, will generate about 3,000 new jobs, announced yesterday the executive secretary of the Metro, Roberto Roy. Foremen, masons, electricians, engineers, transportation specialists, and electrical engineers will be some of the vacancies that will have to be filled. However the secretary of the Metro said that between 30 to 50 foreign professionals who specialize in handling this type of infrastructure, will be hired, because Panama does not have this type of qualified personnel. The project is expected to begin operations in early 2014. (La Critica)

Editor's Comment: That makes sense. If there are any Panamanians in the room who have experience and who have already built at least one world-class subway system, please raise your hands... Of course Panama is going to have to bring in some outside expertise to work on this project, but the bulk of the labor will be done by Panamanians, and most importantly all of the money will be spent here. About half of the line will be underground, running under Via Via España for the most part, and then later it will be above ground or elevated. That should be a real hoot - traffic in the middle of the city will be screwed for years while construction is underway.    

On Monday the Executive Secretary of the Metro in Panama, Robert Roy, gave the official digital version of the Statement of Work for the building of the Metro Line 1 of Panama to the representatives of the three consortia that passed the pre-qualification process and who will bidding to win the contract. According to the bidding process, on Monday May 17 the representatives of the three consortia, together with the Secretariat of the Metro, will take a tour of the sites where the project will be built. In addition, the will also hold clarification meetings 18, 19 and 20 May, according to the needs of the consortia participants. (Panama America)