The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), Juan Alberto Arias, spoke in favor of reactivating mining in the country, backing his statements with real economic data. "Today, unemployment is close to 10%, and when we talk about employment, we have to talk about the mine," he said. The businessman explained that the country's figures indicated that 80% of the wages paid by the mine were double the national average, which was noticeable on the streets: active businesses, local consumption, and thousands of stable families. Arias's words came during the forum 'Sustainable Employment: Synergy between Mining, the Environment, and Social Development' held this Wednesday in Panama. "The mine generated over a billion dollars a year in local purchases," he recalled, making it clear that many companies not only laid off 90% of their workers but also had to close completely. Meanwhile, he compared Panama to other countries that have successfully combined tourism and mining. "The mine doesn't scare away tourists," Arias stated. For him, the country needs to open a dialogue, but with the people, not behind closed doors. "Dialogues are not held in closed rooms; they are made in the street, getting to know and listening," he affirmed. And he concluded with a phrase that left an echo: "Panama has it all, and natural resources are part of that all."
