Spain is pushing hard to get contracts in Panama's logistics sectors.

1. Spain seeks to expand local logistics presence in Panama and Guatemala
The Bulletin, Jul 6th, 2013
By Dennis Smith
Spain continues to actively try and expand its footprint in the international construction and
logistics industries, this time in Panama and Guatemala.
Spanish Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Rafael Catala.
Rafael Catala, Spain’s Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing and Ministry
of Development, is visiting Central America to conduct meetings with the governmental
authorities and Spanish Ambassadors of both countries to push Spanish company’s
on­the­ground record in the local construction, logistics and transport infrastructures.
According to official Panamanian sources, Spanish businesses have invested around $3 billion
in Panama and employ approximately 15,000 people.
Discussing the specific possibilities for more Spanish participation in construction contracts as
they become available in the Latin American market, is also part of the agenda, according to an
official Spanish Ministry of Development statement.
Catala’s visit continues the trend of Spain trying to expand and solidify its presence in Panama

2. and elsewhere. Earlier, Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon made a trip to Panama to
support Spanish investment and businesses in the country.
The Prince visited two projects involving Spanish companies, Madrid­based Sacyr Vallehermoso
which is a part of a consortium designing and building sluice gates for the new Canal locks and
Barcelona­based Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas which is one of the contractors
employed in the Metro construction.
Quoted outtakes from the royal trip include, “Panama will become the real capital of Latin
America in 2013,” and “[Panama] is currently the star destination for Spanish investment.”
Catala’s goals are the same in Guatemala. There, Catala will make his pitch to the Deputy
Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Cabrera, Minister of Economy, Sergio de la Torre, and the
Presidential Commissioner for Competitiveness, Juan Carlos Paiz, and the Executive Director of
the National Alliance for Economic Infrastructure Development, Julio Estrada.
Catala will also meet with the President of the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural,
Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF), the Vice President of the Chamber
of Construction, and with a group of Spanish companies involved in the infrastructure sector.
Spain is not limiting its promotional initiative. Catala has also made trips to Eastern Europe and
Asia promoting Spanish business participation there as well.
­ See more at:
http://thebulletinpanama.com/spain­seeks­to­expand­local­logistics­presence­in­panama­and­gu
atemala#sthash.YNyEN9gU.dpuf