SMALL 08-10-24. During his first participation in the Ordinary General Assembly of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), Minister Julio Moltó highlighted that sustainable and effective economic development is only possible through close collaboration with the private sector; at the same time that he listed some of the actions that the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) has carried out in its first 100 days of administration.
In this third Ordinary General Assembly, Jean Pierre Leignadier, president of the Country Agenda Commission 2024-2029, presented an assessment of the first 100 days of government management, praising the key appointments made by President Mulino and underlining the important steps, although difficult, that the government has taken to direct the future of the country, which generates confidence in the private sector.
Minister Moltó, for his part, stated that the progress reflected in the CCIAP Country Agenda addresses national priorities in key areas such as education, health, employment, entrepreneurship, access to water and social development. These issues, also present on the government agenda, serve as a framework of reference to move together towards a future of sustainable economic growth.
In addition to underlining the key role of the private sector in meeting government goals, Moltó highlighted the government’s clear strategy in each ministry, focused on economic reactivation and job creation. In particular, he mentioned MICI’s efforts to develop the semiconductor industry, highlighting that Panama has been selected by the OECD as the headquarters of the Informal Semiconductor Exchange Network in December, a key step to turn the country into a regional center of this industry that moves more than 600 billion dollars globally.
The president of the CCIAP, Juan Arias, also presented a report on the first months of his administration, focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, fairs, entrepreneurship, the Social Security Fund, mining and water.
Pending issues were also addressed, such as payment to State suppliers, a commitment that the minister highlighted by stating: “Our Government recognized that this was an issue that could not be postponed and faced it with responsibility and determination.”
From the first month of administration, the Government announced its willingness to settle overdue accounts from previous years with suppliers, benefiting both large companies and small and medium-sized companies. Recently, the President reported that 1,120 million dollars, which had been retained in the Comptroller’s Office, have been endorsed.
“With this measure, we reaffirm our commitment to economic stability and fiscal responsibility, in addition to strengthening confidence in the private sector, a decisive step for economic reactivation,” the minister emphasized.
Moltó reported on the significant advances in the simplification of processes, highlighting the achievements of the Foreign Trade Single Window, which has automated export procedures, allowing exporters to make digital approvals and electronic payments, considerably simplifying the process.
The minister also mentioned the incorporation of three new multinationals under the Special Regime for Multinational Company Headquarters (SEM) and the granting of 12 licenses to companies that have established operations under the free zone regime in the first 100 days of management.
Finally, Moltó concluded his speech by reiterating the importance of the support of the private sector to materialize the government’s main plans and projects.
