Panama, Feb 25 (EFE) .- The Panamanian government has signed an agreement with C4T Spanish consultant firm for tourism development in the area of Fort Sherman, a former U.S. military base on the banks of the canal, in its output on the Caribbean coast .

The objective of the consultancy is to develop a master plan for development of an area of about 550 hectares, with the identification of its tourism potential and commercial incentives so that the public and private investment in the area, told EFE C4T sources Tourism, Business & Planning.
The consultancy, worth $ 285,000 (about 206,000 euros), will run for three months.

Includes economic analysis, business, urban planning and territorial cohesion, and promoting the project, which will take place on land that the U.S. gave Panama a decade ago in response to the Canal Treaties.

"Our goal is that in March 2013 is operating in north Sherman at least a hotel with 200 rooms and a golf course (...) integrated into a development plan which is to promote employment for people in Columbus (North)" said Liriola Pitti, director of the unit reverted properties Panamanian Ministry of Economy.

The construction of the hotel and golf course will start point of tourism development in this sector of the Caribbean coast, a plan with which the government hopes to revive the economy of the region which has a delay compared to other areas.

Signed by the consulting company's CEO, Jordi Marcé Puigvert, who stressed that "C4T is a promoter of ideas, projects, initiatives, but ultimately is an investment promoter.
"These ideas are accompanied by a business bag, a bag of funding that normally makes them possible," said Marc Puigvert Efe.

The director highlighted the "incredible potential" of the area for tourism, beach, marina, airport and the proximity of Fort San Lorenzo, one of the oldest Spanish fortress America.
For his part, Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino, who attended the signing, has "great expectations on the outcome of this consultation" with the touristic potential of the area.

The plans, Vallarino said, in addition to a proposed bridge (or tunnel) to cross the Channel by this aspect, referred to undertake the last leg of the route across the isthmus from Panama to Colon (north), including a branch to Sherman, and "unite the provinces of Colon to Bocas del Toro" (west) along the coast.