Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (Cciap) is concerned that " innovation and scientific research" barely appear in the proposals of the seven candidates for the Presidency of the Republic.

In a statement on Sunday, March 17 Cciap said that the most advanced societies privilege scientific research "because they understand that from this are generated innovations that bring with them technological and transformative answers to crucial problems". And one sector that needs it in Panama the country is the agricultural sector.

Therefore, the chamber has linked with the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation to promote technological innovation in their companies.

"In the first instance, a single laboratory of quality control and compliance to support export efforts to obtain certificates that products need" arch.

In addition, the Department of Commercial Defense of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries should be strengthened to function efficiently and interpose defense mechanisms, when required.

"In the medium term, a national strategy must be established for the development of the agricultural sector, which contemplates the technical improvement of the producer and achieves sustained efficiency," the Cciap said.

The chamber’s announcement follows the March 13 debate of presidential candidates debate to address issues related to agricultural production.

During the debate, the candidates promised to limit imports and eliminate or transform the Panamanian Food Safety Authority.