PANAMA’S Ministry of Economy and Finance has approved the transfer of $2.4 million to the Public Prosecutor's Office to continue investigations into the payment of bribes by Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

The transfer of the funds must now be approved by the National Assembly.

"Given the delicacy of the Odebrecht case and its

implications, the ministry has carried out the steps to

expedite this transfer, following instructions from President Juan Carlos Varela, who has publicly

stated his full support for the investigation," the ministry said in a statement.

On Jan. 24, the Public Prosecutor's Office ordered the investigation of 17 people for money laundering

as part of the investigation.