The Panamanian Empire
César Monge C.Engineer
Published "La Nación de Costa Rica", Nov. 13, 2007
Translated to English by MultiPanama.com
100 years ago, France, a world potentate, failed in the construction of a Panama Canal. At great cost the United States later was able to finish. It is a project for powerful countries. Today the new canal is a work equal in scope to the original, but its not being done by the Japanese. It is being built at a good pace by Panamanians. Yes, sir, you read that correctly! Who said anything about being intimidated?
The English, once a province in the Roman Empire, decided to imitate the Roman style of big thinking and became the British Empire with control of half the planet. Thirteen of their colonies in America inherited that same spirit and are now the famous Yankee Empire. In that same vein a tiny country that grew up under the shadow of the gringos decided to take their own leap forward in the path of history and thus is born the Panamanian Empire. Or, it will be if we give them 2 or 3 centuries more. And if they keep the pace up for the next 20 years they will become the Singapore of Latin America according to the experts. Nothing bad at all about a consolation prize.
How are they doing it? They are pragmatic and make decisions based on a single question: Will this help Panama? If the answer is yes they give it their all to make it happen, without romanticizing and without undue complications.
As good business people they are apolitical. Hugo Chavez hates the 'devil' Bush. It does not matter, they buy his petroleum and later will sell it as gasoline in Donald Trump's marinas to the rich gringos in their yachts. And if their is no electricity? They will import it from Central America.
The canal widening project was approved in 15 days. Later they went to Germany for the construction of the locks. In Spain they managed to raise more funds. Euros, yen, dollars all give life to the economy. Better a Euro in the hand than 100 Balboas in the bush. And so that these new jobs being created do not land in the hands of Costa Rican and Nicaraguan immigrants they have stipulated that 90% of positions must be filled by Panamanians. Easy, right?
The Panamanians have not put all their eggs in one canal. They approved concessions to marinas and hotels in one fell swoop. Now they are a point of origin for cruise ships like Miami not just a mediocre stop at shipping docks like in our country [Costa Rica]. Pedro Navaja the Minister of Tourism keeps going full steam ahead. What about HP establishing itself in Costa Rica? Panama outdid us with better immigration regulations, taxes, and telecommunication infrastructure and 3,000 HP jobs that were ours for the asking went to Panama instead. Surprise!
The largest airport in the region, highways and docks. Just like the Egyptians made pyramids, the Romans aqueducts, and the British railways, the Panamanians make canals.
If our neighbor is doing well we do not envy them. We learn. If you cannot beat them, join them. The new canal costs $5 billion and will be ready in 10 years. The remodel of our old airport has cost $100 million and in 6 years we have not been able to finish.
Insignificance is all in the head, and greatness as well.