According to the former president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), José Ramón Icaza, the single dialogue table that takes place in Penonomé, province of Coclé, “has become a political platform for be promoting messages to favor a small group of Panamanians”.
He added that some of them are radicals, who have very specific political projects. At the same time, he pointed out that a much broader table has to be created, with the representation of all the actors of Panamanian society.
Icaza indicated that the demonstrations that have been seen in recent weeks are legitimate, as a result of the high cost of fuel, medicine and food, and that is due to external factors.
“Also internally, what has been a poor economic reactivation, which has not yet managed to generate the jobs that are required to reduce the level of unemployment. That is one of the main problems,” he said.
He assured that the measures that have been implemented at the last minute have not given businesses enough time to adapt their price estimation and billing process.
