PANAMA CITY AND BAY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROJECT

The project will improve the environmental conditions of Panama City and Bay by doubling the current treatment capacity of 190 000 cubic meters per day of the Juan Díaz Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This project is the main component of the second phase of the Panama City and Bay Sanitation Programme, which will continue to contribute to the Panama Government's efforts to increase the country's pollution abatement and environmental sustainability. It will treat the wastewater produced by approximately 400 000 people, which is currently discharged into rivers and into Panama Bay without any treatment. It will also indirectly have a positive economic impact on the metropolitan area of Panama. The project is in line with the EIB Water Sector Lending Policy and it also complies with the External Mandate for EIB activity in Asia and Latin America through the development of social and economic infrastructure.

The project will have a very positive environmental and social impact for the population of Panama City. It will significantly reduce wastewater direct discharges into rivers and into the bay thus contributing to improving public health and environmental conditions in the beneficiary area. The project's compliance with environmental and social principles of the EU, the EIB and the other IFIs, together with the applicable national environmental legislation and issues related to adaptation to climate change will be verified during the appraisal.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that the procurement of the project is carried out in line with EIB procurement guidelines.

This operation is covered by the EU Guarantee for EIB loans outside the EU.