Interior Minister Vicente Romero affirmed that insecurity costs Peru approximately 3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which represents S/27 billion (around US$7.1 billion) annually.
Romero's remarks were delivered on Thursday during the fifth international forum on citizen and business security held by the
Chamber of Commerce of Lima (CCL) called
"Facing Challenges and Opportunities for a Safe Society."
In his address, the Interior sector's head said that the level of informality, which reaches 75% of workers, also generates conditions of insecurity and vulnerability among small business owners and entrepreneurs, who become vulnerable to extortion in its different forms.
Therefore, he underscored that his institution will not stop in its fight against crime and other scourges that threaten the integrity of citizens and the full development of the business activity.
"We have a comprehensive development plan, we have complied with the procedures before Congress regarding the request of legislative powers, and we have strategically declared state of emergency in three places across the country, among other actions. We are concerned about the 34 million inhabitants in the country, to provide them with safety and social peace," he said.
Harmful effects on Peruvian economy
During the event organized by the CCL's Citizens and Business Security Commission, the vice-president of this association, Hernan Lanzara, pointed out that insecurity and violence that have been on the rise over the past years cause harmful effects in the country's business and economic performance.
Lanzara stated that this situation has negatively affected important productive activities and competitiveness levels at companies, even causing the interruption of commercial operations, as well as leading to a fall of revenues and economic returns.
He went on to say that, as a consequence of insecurity, entrepreneurs and small business owners in the country have been forced to assume high costs to implement security systems and hire security staff in order to protect their businesses.
(END) NDP/MDV/RMB
Published: 9/29/2023