Panama Canal Honored with Award

- The Republic of Panama is honored to receive the prestigious Samoter 2008 "Best Construction Project in the World" award for the Panama Canal expansion. The Samoter International Award honors those that contribute to the development of construction at both national and international levels. The official ceremony and presentation of the 2008 award will take place in Verona, Italy, on March 5, 2008.

Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer, wider ships. The Samoter International Award is a highly-regarded and sought-after global honor assigned by VeronaFiere since 1973 to distinguished figures whose work on behalf of development and success in building and site activity, has helped consolidate major entrepreneurial systems on an economic and social scale. The Award may be granted to a country, a public or private company or a machine builder or draftsman.