Natural gas terminal marks new era for region

The United States aims to increase its exports of liquefied natural gas to Central America with the opening of a modern terminal that will allow exports the gas to the rest of the region from the Panama Canal.

The new terminal has been built by the US-based company AES. "It will mark a new era in the development of Panama and Central America," said David Malpass, undersecretary of international affairs at the US Treasury department.

"This is one of the most important projects ever undertaken in the energy sector of our country," said Panama's president, Juan Carlos Vela. The terminal and a 381-megawatt power plant cost $1.15 billion.