Business  group  calls for  “controlled”  reopening

Businessmen who form the Industrial Union of Panama (SIP are calling for  staggered and controlled reactivation of certain economic activities to contain the impact of the pandemic crisis.

They maintain that sectors such as construction, hardware, and some manufactures could resume activity in the coming weeks, with an established and approved sanitary protocol.

The group’s president, Aldo Mangravita, also warned of obstacles faced by companies that continue to operate, such as lack of transportation or difficulties with safe passages.

The sector calls on the government to catch up on payments to suppliers and for more tax relief.

The virus has also affected agricultural producers, who have seen contracts canceled caused by the drop in demand due to the closings of some markets, said Gerardo Escudero, representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.

According to the expert, access to agricultural inputs, disbursement of credits and payment to producers on time are three links in the agrifood chain that would guarantee their productive rhythm during and after the pandemic.