Zhongjin learned that José Ramón Icaza, the Minister of Panama Canal Affairs, delivered a keynote speech at the 10th International Financial Summit held in Panama, discussing key projects shaping the future of the Panama Canal.

In his keynote address, he delved into the topic "Panama Canal: 25 Years under Panamanian Management and its Global Impact," examining the crucial role of the Panama Canal in global trade and national development.

Reflecting on the significant achievements since the historic transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama in 2000, including the completion of the expansion project in 2016, ongoing infrastructure maintenance, and continuous investments for providing reliable, safe, and competitive services.

Icaza stated, "In the past 25 years, the Panama Canal has been a model of responsible management, directly impacting national development and playing a crucial role in global maritime trade."

He also highlighted that in the past year, the average daily transits increased from 25.5 to 33 transits, marking a 30% growth.

Furthermore, he emphasized the contribution of the Panama Canal to the national economy, with direct activities and supported industries contributing 2.9% to Panama's Gross Domestic Product, creating job opportunities, strengthening public finances, and supporting the country's social development.

As part of the future canal strategy, he presented a vision focusing on achieving the sustainability of water resources, expanding logistics services, and consolidating the value proposition of the canal. Key projects include the construction of the Río Indio reservoir project, laying a natural gas pipeline between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and developing multimodal logistics centers to enhance the role of the Panama Canal as a regional platform.

Icaza mentioned that Panama plans to build five ports, including one in Corozal on the Pacific side and another on Telfers Island on the Atlantic side. He noted that the ports are nearing capacity limits, with container throughput expected to increase from 9.7 million TEUs in 2024 to 15 million TEUs.