Panama moved boldy ahead with their plans for exonomic growth with an ambitious US $5.3bn plan to widen its famous canal to handle a new generation of giant container ships. President Martin Torrijos described the project as a "formidable challenge" but necessary if the canal is to retain its place as a key route for global cargo. The plan was put to a national referendum and passed!
Panama Votes "SI" to Panama Canal Expansion in Panama City, Panama, October 22, 2006
Panamanians voted "Sí" ("Yes" in Spanish) in the national referendum on Panama Canal expansion. The enthusiasm and energy was apparent as each voter played their part in this historic event that determined the direction and future of the Canal and Panama. By law, expansion, or the "third set of locks project", must be put to a vote in a popular referendum. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) presented its formal proposal to the Panamanian government in April of 2006. In the end, 78 percent voted for expansion.
