The Panama Canal expansion is expected to create 40,000 new jobs during construction of the third set of locks, plus 7000 additional support jobs during the peak years of building. Projected medium and long term economic growth fostered by the expanded Canal and the economic activity produced by Canal revenues will drive Panama into an even more prominent global position.

The aim of the Canal Authority is to employ from Panamanian sources the vast majority of workers with some specialized helpobtained from outside of the country.  The over 9000 people who normally work on the Panama Canal will be expanded further following the expansion and proposed building p

rojects that complement it – including bridge building and proposed development of new residences near the Canal. The $5.25 billion cost of the canal should end up driving employment throughout the country and raising an estimated twenty percent of the population out of poverty – reducing the poverty line to six percent by 2014.

This increase in sound, sustainable jobs spread over a large number of industries will drive newer projects and further investment in Panama in general. A large portion of the Canal Authorities duties in regard to their employees include training and certification to ensure standards are kept high on the Panama Canal, with a resultant increase in the number of well trained workers in Panama.

The employment generated by these new initiatives will continue to help Panama push into the future in a sustainable and forward thinking way, leaving the door open for more foreign investment and further raising the standard of living around the country.

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