Allegiance Capital Assembles Consortium for Panama City Metro Line One Project

DALLAS, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegiance Capital Corporation (ACC), an international investment banking firm, has facilitated the formation of a consortium of Spanish, Chinese and Panamanian companies that is bidding on the Metro Line One project in Panama City, Panama, a $1.5 billion infrastructure project scheduled for completion by December 31, 2013.

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The consortium is currently participating in the pre-qualification process being undertaken by all of the bidders for the project. A decision on pre-qualification is expected tomorrow, March 17.

"We have worked to assemble a select group of companies who have demonstrated exceptional capabilities and have high-profile infrastructure projects in their portfolios," said Johann Tse, Allegiance Capital Vice President. "We believe this consortium can deliver the quality Panama City is looking for in Metro Line One and also the on-time, on-budget completion."

Members of the consortium have built metro systems, high speed railways, bridges, highways and tunnels, and also offer significant experience in operating and managing local labor.

Jesus Arranz Monje, Managing Director of consortium member Grupo Pantersa of Spain, said, "We are very excited that our Chinese partners are part of the consortium as they bring unparalleled competency and experience to the project. Our Chinese partners have constructed a many mass transit systems, high speed railways, tunnels and bridges, more than any other country in the world, within a very short period of time. That's a unique track record that indicates the quality we can bring if we win the bid."

Additional consortia members include:

• The Second Highway Engineering Ltd. of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). This firm brings extensive experience in design, engineering and construction of metro systems and high speed railways, including the Beijing-Shanghai high speed railway, the world's longest and fastest high speed railway under construction. The company has completed the world's no. 1 long-span cable stayed bridge, the world's first double-layered multi-arch steel arch bridge, and the world's longest cold foamed recycled asphalt highway. They've also built the world's no. 2 and no. 3 long-span suspension bridges. CCCC is the only major construction company in the world that manufactures its own Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), gigantic equipment that drills tunnels on a continuous basis.
• China Railway Electrification Bureau (Group) Co., Ltd. This company engages in design and construction of electrification, power supply, communication, signaling and civil works for railways and urban mass transit systems.
• Diaz y Guardia S.A. This Panamanian construction company is the consortium's local partner, which will provide local labor and operational support.

Six other consortia are also going through the pre-qualification process. They include major construction and engineering groups from Western Europe, Canada, Latin America and Japan.

About Allegiance Capital

Allegiance Capital Corporation is a full-service investment banking firm specializing in the middle market (companies with revenue from $20 million to $500 million), with offices in Chicago, Dallas, New York, Madrid, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle, and Shanghai.  Through its global network, Allegiance Capital assists companies in every aspect of selling and financing a business, including debt restructuring, mezzanine financing, buy out management, strategic partnering, consulting and other related services.  Its Special Situations group handles financial restructuring and distressed mergers and acquisitions.  For more information, refer to the company website: www.allcapcorp.com.

SOURCE Allegiance Capital Corporation