Shortages of food, medicine and supplies, as well as millions of economic losses caused by the blockade of the main communication route, revealed the vulnerability Western Region, mainly chiriqui province, on issues of connectivity, as well as its immediate dependence on the Pan-American Corridor.
The reality, after more than 30 days of blockades, is that the province is limited in all forms of communication, without access to very basic inputs for the functioning of the economy, such as gas and fuel, and losses of tons of agricultural products. not reach the markets for commercialization.
He Chaos reigned in the logistics sectorwith losses exceeding 800 million dollars in cargo stopped in transport or in warehouses and 30 million dollars in transport that was not carried out or did not reach its destination, according to the members Commission for Logistics and Transport.
In the meantime, gas stations suffered damage of about 25 million dollars, as a result of the partial operation of about 100 gas stations, which in the last four weeks managed to supply themselves sporadically with the import of hydrocarbons from Costa Rica.
Like a premonition dream, a situation which western part of the country, which includes Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro and the regional area, has been accessed since the 90s by the Chirican private sector that promotes the logistic conglomerate model that promotes agriculture, agro-industry and tourism, the main economic drivers of the region.
This need is already reflected in Chiriquí Vision 2050 and New Vision 2025from Center for Competitiveness of the Western Region (CECOMRO) which was chaired by businessman Felipe Rodríguez.
The approach with which both approaches work includes improvements to the road, rail, port and air networks, strengthening the Pan-American Corridor; a new connection between David and Puerto Armuelles; improvements to road connections between Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro; as well as the long-awaited train connecting Panama City to Chiriquí and its possible extension to Costa Rica.
Having an international airport located in the capital, close to the border crossing and facing the sea, meant that the Logistics Master Plan for Central America, approved by SIECA, places David as one of the main logistics hubs of the 27 countries in the region, pointed out the president of the National of the Center for Competitiveness, Felipe Rodríguez, during the conference“National Logistics Integration: Maritime Linkage of the Western Region of Panama.”
He CECOMRO It also promotes modernization Enrique Malek Airport for the development of tourism, but also for the handling of perishable goods, a service that is still improvised today, he pointed out President of the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture of Chiriquí, Jorge Tovar.
The Chiriquí Vision 2050 includes encouraging the development of long-haul air links between David and the most powerful source markets, such as the United States, Canada and Europe, which benefits tourism, which is currently greatly affected by a 99% drop in bookings in the middle of high seasons.
Tovar also mentioned the multipurpose marine terminal Puerto Barú in David, which would be integrated into that logistics conglomerate that includes better maritime connectivity of this region. He CECONRO adds David’s planning plan through the north and south corridors.
Another project he is also studying Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) It is an economic integration based on the facilitation of trade between the countries of the region, which encourages the modernization of border crossings, for Panama it is Paso Canoa.
Reality
Apart from millions of economic losses, for the president Chiriquí Chamber of Commerce, The social effects caused by the blockade of the main communication highway are even more deplorable.
For Tovar, more than a million people affected by the shortage and the suspension of about 1,075 contracts by about 21 companies will have a big impact on the development of the province.
After the Supreme Court of Justice declared the mining contract unconstitutional on November 28, Chiriquí province will be responsible for managing actions to overcome more than a month of road closures by indigenous groups, teachers and organized groups.
Source: Panama America
I am Jason Root, author with 24 Instant News. I specialize in the Economy section, and have been writing for this sector for the past three years. My work focuses on the latest economic developments around the world and how these developments impact businesses and people’s lives. I also write about current trends in economics, business strategies and investments.
