Our Guest of the Month has more than 15 years of experience in the practice of Commercial and Corporate Law. He has continuously advised local and international companies in different industries; including from the real estate sector. Today, Ramón E. Martinez de la Guardia is the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Panama and leads the entire development process and work to recover the national economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What are the main measures you are taking to reactivate the country’s economy as you move towards the new normal?
“Given the impact generated by COVID-19, the National Government seeks to maintain the continuity of companies, the generation of jobs, and the fluidity of the supply chain. In this sense, MICI (Ministry of Commerce and Industries) works to promote and facilitate trade in all its sectors, based on 4 axes: national industry, foreign investment, exports, and micro, small and medium-sized companies.
In the short term, we have developed a resumption plan called “Route to the new normality.” This process is carried out in blocks (divided into 6), according to the recommendation of an inter-institutional team and experts from the Pan American Health Organization, which they support reactivating the economy without putting the health of the population at risk”.
Which sectors are the first that need economic investment so that their reactivation permeates the benefit of the largest number of Panamanians?
“In this segment are the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which make up more than 90% of the country’s business park, and provide about 45% of jobs. However, the Government plans to support all productive sectors through the “A Better Panama Plan” for economic recovery. “
How will you support the middle class as micro-entrepreneurs and those who carry out activities within the informal economy so that they can emerge after the period of work cessation?
“We are working hand in hand with AMPYME, with the Panamanian Microfinance Network (REDPAMIF), the National Bank and the National Union of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UNPYME) to avoid a slow down in activity and the decrease in income in the micro, small and medium enterprises. Among the actions contemplated are the creation of a National Recovery Plan (PNR), which will benefit more than 70,000 MSMEs, which will be able to access activation programs, preferential credits and loans. ”
How MICI will participate in the revival of the tourism sector, being one of the most affected locally and internationally?
“Following the pandemic, the national and international tourism sector has been one of the most affected. The MICI has not stopped working in the search for activities and investments that will help reactivate this economic sector. Among the plans we are working on, is one aimed at the film industry. Currently we have several international proposals from companies that want to come to our country to film and highlight places of tourist interest. The productions not only create an income to the economy at the time of filming but, in turn, the final product serves as an advertisement for the future ”.
Economically, how do you see Panama’s image projected internationally after this health emergency and how will it benefit us to attract more investment for the tourism sector?
“The countries that have had good management during the pandemic are the first economies that will benefit from their recovery. Because of the proper epidemiological management that the Government has had during this world crisis, we feel that Panama will be among them. One of the key indicators to start seeing the economic recovery is the reactivation of the Tocumen International Airport. There are several airlines that have announced the restoration of their routes through our “Hub” of the Americas. This indicates that we are going to be among the first countries that will have good connectivity, which is linked to the national tourist restoration ”.
