 The office of the Casco Antiguo has restored and provided lighting for parks, with particular emphasis on improving the Paseo de las Bovedas, the former parapet of the Spanish fortress and from which the approach of pirate ships was once observed. The Plaza de Francia, one of the greatest attractions in the area, has also been restored. Here, surrounding a soaring column crowned by a proud French rooster, are the busts of Viscount Ferdinand de Lesseps and other distinguished explorers who conceived the enormous feat of building the inter-oceanic waterway. The office has signed important agreements with the Government of Japan to restore a number of wooden houses and to transfer technology to Panamanian workers. The European Union supports street lighting projects, and will lend its support to a workshop in which 50 young people will be trained and assigned the complete restoration of Mansion Obarrio, which is near the Convent of Santo Domingo.
The Panamanian government has contributed to these projects, fully supporting the workshops and the young people working there in order to turn them into true professionals.
The Casco Antiguo is the main feature of many city tours which are provided by various companies. It draws passengers from cruise ships in the Caribbean who disembark and are transported on comfortable buses or who take a fascinating train journey to come and admire its beauty.
Once again, the Casco Antiguo provides a reason for Panamanians to feel proud and is now a world tourist site. In addition, it has turned into a place of business and employment opportunities, and is a driving force for the economy, which improves the quality of life of Panamanians.
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