Monday
Monday 18th November 2024.
November 17, 2024
In the context of the consultation period on the reforms to the Social Security Fund (CSS) law that began last Thursday, November 14, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) urges citizens to be active and informed actors in this “national debate.”
In his weekly message, Juan Arias, president of the association, stressed the importance of obtaining information exclusively from reliable sources, emphasizing that misinformation can divert attention from real problems and generate confusion.
According to Arias, the impact of these reforms “will not only be felt in the short term, but will define the well-being of hundreds of thousands of Panamanians in the years to come.”
They also stressed the importance of young people closely following the development of the first debate, as it will be a key space to analyze the proposals of the bill. Arias also called on the deputies to base their arguments on reliable data and to maintain a respectful and constructive dialogue.
He acknowledged that differences in approaches to reform are natural, but stressed that they should not distract from the common goal: ensuring the future of CSS. “Respectful dialogue and collective commitment are essential tools to overcome this challenge,” he said.
In addition, they reiterated their commitment to be allies in this process, which is why the Cciap has organized a series of discussions aimed at both its members and the general public.
These meetings aim to provide objective information based on verifiable data, allowing those interested to ask questions and clear up doubts. “Anyone who wishes to do so can contact us or come to the Cciap,” said Arias.
Consultations on CSS will resume on Monday, November 18 at 9:30 a.m. That day they plan to serve 32 people.
The Social Security Fund (CSS) has reported that the institution’s clinical laboratories are supplied with reagents for at least three months, which guarantees the completion of the necessary studies for patients nationwide.
Ladys Vega, head of reception at the Distribution Center (CEDI) in Panama City, explained that reagents have been received for immunochemical, chemical, serological, bacteriological tests and other studies. These supplies are essential to ensure reliable and timely results, both in blood banks and in polyclinics and hospitals.
“With this delivery we have optimized the service to users, ensuring the availability of reagents for various essential tests in our facilities,” Vega said.
Reagents are currently being distributed to more than 70 CSS units across the country, and this process will continue until December 12. In addition, specialized products for immunological and molecular tests are expected to arrive in the coming days, which will further strengthen the care provided to insured persons.
Through a press release, the CSS highlighted that this supply responds to a priority need to guarantee timely diagnoses in all clinical areas, offering peace of mind to the institution’s users. The CSS reaffirmed its commitment to keep the supply chain active and under constant evaluation to avoid interruptions in health services.
However, hospitalized patients or those who go to CSS facilities have faced shortages of reagents in recent months, due to a legal dispute between the previous CSS administration, headed by Enrique Lau Cortés, and the supplier company Promoción Médica, SA (Promed).
The Colon Free Zone (CFZ) has recorded, up to October, an accumulated commercial movement of 21,252 million dollars, a figure that reflects a negative difference of 18%, about 4,893 million dollars compared to the same period last year.
The difference in trade flows is in the import sector, which totaled 10.811 billion dollars during the first 10 months of the year, reflecting a considerable decrease compared to the 15.829 billion dollars recorded in the same period last year.
The free zone explained that the difference in imports (purchases), 31% less, is the result of an extraordinary movement recorded in July 2023 for 4,525 million dollars, corresponding to the entry of raw materials for the production of medicines.
As for re-exports (sales), they amounted to 10.441 billion dollars up to October, an interannual increase of 1.2%. Currently, the free zone is focused on increasing its inventory and sales in view of the end-of-year festivities, as reflected in the figures recorded last October.
Last month, purchases by companies operating in the free zone totaled 1.199 billion dollars, while sales reached 1.384 billion dollars, representing increases of 23% and 40%, respectively, compared to the same month last year.
Dovi Eisenman, president of the Free Trade Zone Users Association, commented that the increase in commercial activity registered in October reflects the preparation of Free Trade Zone companies for the peak holiday season. He explained that the products in greatest demand are clothing, footwear, electronic items and toys, aimed mainly at markets such as Central America, the Caribbean and South America.
Based on commercial activity during the first 10 months of the year, Eisenman projects that, with October’s growth, free zone users expect a positive close in 2024. However, he noted that it is essential to work on market and product diversification to ensure long-term sustainable growth.
China, the United States and Belgium are the three main suppliers of companies in the free zone, with 35%, 21.3% and 3.7%, respectively, of the value of the merchandise sold in the Colón area. They are followed by Mexico (3%) and France (2.6%).
Up to October, merchandise valued at 3.976 billion dollars was imported from China; 2.299 billion dollars from the United States; 402 million dollars from Belgium; while 321 million dollars were purchased in Mexico and 276 million dollars in France.
Regarding re-exports, Venezuela continues to be the main destination for merchandise sold by the free zone, despite the interruption in diplomatic relations between that country and the government of Panama, due to the criticism issued regarding the results of the last presidential elections in the South American country.
Between January and October, merchandise valued at 962 million dollars was sent to Venezuela, which represented 9.2% of the total value of re-exports. Panama is in second place with 8.8% ($916 million), while Costa Rica regained third place with 847 million dollars, equivalent to 8.1% of the value of merchandise sold.
Between January and October 2024, container movement in the Panamanian port system registered 82.9% in transshipment operations , according to data from the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
Statistics show that in 10 months of 2024, container movement reached 7,994,636 TEUs. This represents an increase of 15.8% compared to the figure recorded in the same period of 2023, which reached 6,904,777.
Regarding transshipment operations, 6,076,612 were recorded in 2023, while in 2024 the figure rises to 7,127,370.
It is worth remembering that transshipment in Panamanian ports is the operation of transferring cargo from one ship to another, so that it reaches its final destination in another port.
Taking into account the maritime aspects, the AMP highlights that, on the Atlantic coast, 58.6% of the total number of containers are moved in TEU units.
This distribution represents a volume of 4,684,712 TEUs in the Atlantic, while 2,309,924 were registered in the Pacific.
These numbers reflect the movement at the terminals of Bocas Fruit Co., Colón Container Terminal, SSA Marine MIT, Panama Ports Company (Balboa and Cristóbal) and PSA Panama International Terminal.
A total of 16 water treatment plants are experiencing operational problems or low production as a result of the constant rains in the country caused by the passage of tropical storms Sara and Rafael through the region, which have been hitting the national territory since November 3, 2024, according to the most recent report on the status of the plants from the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan).
According to the IDAAN report, of the 59 water treatment plants it manages , nine are out of operation due to damage to parts, turbines, pumps, electrical panels and other critical equipment; while another seven are facing difficulties in capturing raw water due to plant sedimentation.
The affected plants include Guabito, Almirante and Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro; San Félix, San Francisco, Santa Marta, San Bartolo and Tolé (the latter operating at 50%) in Chiriquí; Cañazas and San Francisco in Veraguas; Llano de Piedra in Los Santos; Tortí in eastern Panama (out of operation); and Pacora and Chepo, which are operating at less than 60%. In western Panama, the El Trapichito plant is operating at 50% of its capacity, while the Isla Taboga plant is operating at 47%.
Of the 16 water treatment plants that have operations affected, seven represent a population of at least 152,000 people. For example, the Almirante water treatment plant supplies water to some 14,706 Panamanians, while the Santa Marta plant supplies water to some 11,000 people.
Julissa De Gracia, regional director of Idaan in Los Santos , explained that the Llano de Piedra plant, located in Macaracas, has been affected by the flooding of the Estibaná River, which damaged a turbine and a pump.
The Los Santos regional office indicated that Llano de Piedra is currently operating, but not at 100% of its capacity. The delivery of a turbine and a pump for repair is expected. For the moment, tanker trucks are being used to guarantee the supply of drinking water to the affected population.
De Gracia said that “the raw water collection area is being thoroughly cleaned to prevent damage from sediment, as well as constant monitoring of weather conditions and equipment.”
In the case of Herrera, the regional director of Idaan, Omar Cohen, explained that the water treatment plant with the most damage recorded is the one in Parita, due to the overflow of the Parita River, which flooded and damaged critical equipment.
Cohen said that the main damages, which amount to $220,000, include the electrical panel and the pumping control system. Auxiliary equipment, such as a pump and the diesel compressor, were completely submerged. He added that the point where water is collected is constantly clogged by sediment and plant matter, which forces production to be stopped for manual cleaning.
At the moment, the Herrera regional office is working on repairing auxiliary equipment in specialized workshops, including changing filters, oils and damaged parts. In addition, continuous monitoring of production is carried out using macrometers to anticipate drops in flow, as well as manual backwashing in the collection area, due to the lack of automated equipment.
On Thursday, November 14, during an Extraordinary Cabinet Council meeting, a “state of national emergency” was declared to address the areas affected by the heavy rains and flooding of the last two weeks, as well as the forecast of bad weather for the following days. The state of emergency declared will allow the government of President José Raúl Mulino to make special contracts for goods and services for up to $100 million , with a deadline set for January 15, 2025.