Nearly one-third of the public investment outlined in Panama’s US$19.5bn, 5-year strategic plan will go towards infrastructure projects, according to information on the finance and economy ministry’s (MEF) website.

“More than 80% of the public investments to be made under the administration of President Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez, aim to improve the quality of life of the Panamanian people, particularly in the infrastructure and social sectors,” said minister Dulcidio de la Guardia.

In the program set to be outlined Tuesday by President Varela, a total of US$6.37bn is to go towards projects including expanding line No. 1 of the metro, building metro line No. 2, construction of the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal and implementing a mass transit system for Panamá Oeste province.

Agriculture will also be a focus in the strategic plan, with the construction of new irrigation systems and 200km of roads to connect productive areas with logistics hubs.

According to news agency ANPanamá, some 10,000ha are set to benefit from irrigation programs in the Tonosí district; other areas set for irrigation investment include Altos de Bambito, Río Sereno, Coclé, Cordillera and Santa María.

Panama’s economy is expected to grow an average 6.5%/y for the next five years.