Arabs will contribute to the development of Portobelo

City hall authorities look to give their district of Portobelo a face-lift, so that it will become a greater tourist attraction and as a result bring more benefits for its inhabitants.

Carlos Chavarría, mayor of this historic town on the upper coast of Colón, stated that visitors and residents are greeted by an unpleasant image, ever since a landslide in 2010 buried at least eight houses, turning them into piles of rubble.

Given this situation, Chavarría explained that a plan to improve Portobelo consists of implementing 24 projects that will be solidified with an investment provided by an United Arab Emirates investment group, on the condition that it receives government approval.

A $123 million investment would be destined for public works such as cleaning up the bay, building a boardwalk to begin at the town entrance, paving all the streets, installing sewers and building retaining walls in the communities of Isla Grande, Puerto Lindo and María Chiquita.

In addition, construction of a water treatment plant is under consideration, as well as a sewage system and improvements to the health center and county sub-division governmental offices. It also provides for construction of a municipal slaughterhouse, 300 homes, highways and a new city hall.

The municipal agreement was adopted on April 26, 2012, and the agreement with the UAE group on April 27, which was extended this November 20th.

“Portobelo will progress, but we need the government's approval,” said the mayor.