VZCZCXRO6910
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHTM
DE RUEHZP #1812/01 3311600
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271600Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1475
INFO RUEHZI/WHA IM POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 3683
RHMFISS/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 001812 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR STATE WHA/CEN - TELLO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD EWWT FCSC PM
SUBJECT: SECOND PANAMA CANAL EXCAVATION CONTRACT GOES TO 
CARLOS SLIM'S FIRM 
 
REF: A. PANAMA 1236 
     ¶B. PANAMA 1719 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY.  Consorcio Cilsa Minera Maria, a unit of 
Mexican  billionaire Carlos Slim's Grupo Carsa, was the low 
bidder on the second dry excavation contract for the new 
Pacific lock access channels portion of the Panama Canal 
expansion project.  It what has become a trend, the sole U.S. 
bidder was the highest bidder.  Slim has increased his 
investments and activities in Panama.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Slim Offers Low Bid on Second Excavation Contract 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2. (U)  On November 15, 2007, the Panama Canal Authority 
(ACP) received eight proposals for the second of the five dry 
excavation contracts for the new Pacific lock access channel. 
 The Panamanian-Mexican consortium, Consorcio Cilsa Minera 
Maria (CMM), was the low bidder at $25,489,200.  CMM is a 
unit of Carlos Slim's Grupo Carsa.  While the proposal still 
must be reviewed by the ACP to assure it meets all ACP 
criteria, CMM is widely expected to be awarded the contract. 
 
¶3. (U)  Eight firms from five countries participated in the 
bidding.  As with the bids for the first excavation contract 
in July 6, 2007 (reftel A), only one U.S. company, 
International Underground Corp. (IUC), participated.  And 
again the U.S. bidder had the highest bid.  IUC's $61.7 
million bid was almost $16 million higher than the second 
highest bid and almost 250% over the CMM bid. The winner of 
the first dry excavation contract, Panama's Constructora 
Urbana, was third with a bid $5.42 million higher than CMM. 
 
----------------------- 
A Review of the Bidding 
----------------------- 
 
¶4. (U)  The submitted bids were as follows: CMM - 
$25,489,200; Consorcio Masering Cromas (Colombia)- 
$30,564,475; Constructora Urbana (Panama) - $30,913,000; 
Consorcio Conalvias Retraneq (Panama-colombia) - $37,492,853; 
Consorcio M&S MECO Santa Fe (Panama-Costa Rica) - 
$40,986,400; Consorcio Condor Proimpetrol (Colombia) - 
$42,455,577; Consorcio ICA Panama-ICA CV (Panama-Mexico); and 
IUC (U.S.) - $61,745,339. 
 
---------------------- 
Scope of Contract Work 
---------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U)  The second dry excavation contract involves the 
removal of 7.5 million cubic meters of land along a 2.4 
kilometer stretch just north of where the new Pacific locks 
will be built.  The contract also requires the construction 
of a new road, a crossing over the nearby Cocoli River, and 
the removal and/or relocation of electrical, 
telecommunications, water and sanitation lines.  CMM will 
have 670 days from the date of official award of the contract 
to complete the work.  The estimated completion date is 
October 2009. 
 
--------------------------- 
Next Contract to Be Awarded 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) The next contract to be awarded is for the dredging of 
the existing Pacific entrance navigational channels.  Bids 
are due by January 28, 2008.  The contract calls for the 
widening to at least 218 meters and deepening to at least 
15.5 meters of such navigational channels in order to permit 
the use of Post-Panamax ships 
 
------------------------------ 
Slim Widens Interest in Panama 
------------------------------ 
 
¶7. (U)  Slim has steadily increased his investments in 
Panama.  His company, Ideal, through its Panamanian 
subsidiary Cicsac, has the concession to build and operate a 
hydroelectric plant in Panama's western province of Chiriqui. 
 Cicsac paid over $31 million for the concession.  In October 
2007, Slim's department store, Sanborns, opened its first 
outlet in Panama.  Slim has traveled to Panama at least five 
time since Martin Torrijos became president.  Slim lent his 
personal plane to Torrijos to attend Pope John Paul's 
 
PANAMA 00001812  002 OF 002 
 
 
funeral.  There are persistent rumors that Slim has been 
buying property on Panama's Caribbean coast for tourist 
development.  Slim has also expressed interest in 
participating in future Panama Canal expansion contracts, 
including the approximately $3 billion design/build contract. 
 Slim is a key benefactor of "Wings for Children" foundation 
headquartered in Panama and spearheaded by Colombian singer 
Shakira. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8. (U)  Again the U.S. bidder was by far the highest bidder. 
With only the design/build and three excavation contracts 
remaining, it is difficult to see U.S. companies being cost 
competitive and winning any of the remaining contracts 
(reftel B). 
EATON