24th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Transatlantic Alliances for Strong Market Economies

Mr. Chen explained that Panama has been the target of news that intend to create instability, and that the only way to tackle this situation is through key alliances that protect our way of living and create synergies and win-win situations. The speaker also brings an example of Colon, a small City 45 minutes away from Panama, which contributes the most to Panama’s GDP in a per capita basis. The key question is who the existing alliances are and how can they be improved. Colon’s unemployment rate is high, and the main streets of the Avenues are losing businesses due to politicians giving away food and appliances in exchange for votes. This situation is similar throughout Latin America and the question is how can a city with such potential end up in such a precarious situation? To change this, Mr. Chen suggests that the private sector and Civil Society must work together to create a long-lasting alliance and put into action a plan that will guarantee true sustainable change.