The recovery of the consumer confidence index, and the 43.3% increase in the import of goods, has prompted Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (CCIAP) to spearhead a campaign that seeks to encourage consumption and sales in local shops that generate employment in the country.

With the slogan "This Business is Panama, Buy Local", the president of the union, José Ramón Icaza, says that they seek to encourage the recovery of the commercial sector, especially mass consumption, during the busiest month of the year.

"If local commerce is supported, the reactivation of jobs and the generation of new jobs is promoted."

He argued that with thecampaign they also want to support artisans and entrepreneurs; as well as the micro, small and medium-sized companies that generate a lot of employment. Some 31 companies are participating in the program and although it was conceived for this month, Icaza indicated that they are analyzing extending it to other months given the acceptance they have had.

Icaza  added that with the vaccination results, the development of the commercial sector for 2022 has favorable prospects, but they are concerned about the impact rising freight rates may have on the tertiary sector and on the prices of imported products.