Panama must work to attract foreign talent

Panama must work to attract foreign talent to deficit areas, according to Dr. Eduardo Ortega-Barría, secretary of the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt).

According to the Global Talent Index 2023, which analyzes 134 countries, Panama appears in 87th place in the classification of countries that best attract and develop talent.

Ortega-Barría points out that countries that are able to attract, develop and retain talent – ​​skilled people – can increase their competitive advantage in the global economy.

According to experts, instead of seeing it as a danger, It should be an opportunity to attract and retain the best foreign talent in deficit areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, nanotechnology, mining, robotics and machine learning.

By nationalizing careers, we are condemning ourselves to ostracism, the healthcare worker pointed out.

Regarding the issue of mining, the secretary of Senacyt recalled that the closure of Cobra Panamá is a complex process that will take several years to complete and will require foreign experts.

“We will have to close the mine and we need experts (domestic and foreign); we have to monitor the mine and its affected locations for several years; people and their health, soil, water, air, biological diversity,” He said.

The Global Talent Index classifies countries into champions, movers, laggards and laggards.

Panama gained position 101 in technical and vocational skillswhile according to general knowledge he was on the 93rd step.

As for the ranking, Switzerland is the best country in the world for attracting and nurturing talent for the tenth year in a row, followed closely by Singapore and the United States.