Peru's Min: Political instability slows down economy, affects job creation

Photo: ANDINA

Photo: ANDINA

15:06 | Lima, Nov. 3.

The new presidential impeachment motion admitted last Monday by Congress generates instability that delays the economic recovery and the job creation highly required amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Rocio Barrios warned on Tuesday.

As an example, the high-ranking official mentioned the tourism sector, which —during the state of emergency closed its doors 100%— and has progressively resumed activities. Nonetheless, she said, there is still a long way to go to recover the jobs lost in that sector.

"We need stability; the sectors need economic stability, precisely to be able to become reactivated fast. This situation and this crisis do not help us in any way to be able to continue moving forward, and above all solving the problems that this country faces," Barrios expressed before embarking on a trip to Puno, where she will inspect a series of works, precisely to resume tourism activities in the southern region.

"We need to create jobs; generating employment opportunities implies investments; investments imply legal certainty; and that implies having a democracy and strengthened institutions," she added.

As is known, Congress on Monday approved to admit for debate the second presidential impeachment motion, which was submitted by Union Por el Peru (UPP) and members of other parties.

Progressive reactivation

Two days after the reopening of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (Cusco region), Minister Barrios reaffirmed that the tourism sector's recovery will be progressive and safe to prevent it from becoming a source of COVID-19 contagion.

She pointed out that the sector has been operating at a capacity of 30%, after having been closed due to the state of emergency, which had begun in Peru last March.

However, emblematic regions for this activity have started to reopen, such as Cusco. Additionally, efforts are being undertaken for the resumption of activities in Puno and Loreto regions.

(END) MMG/JJN/MVB

Published: 11/3/2020