Mariana Rodriguez: “The main contribution of the business community is to continue investing”

Mariana Rodriguez, Committee member of CADE Executives 2021, details the proposal for this edition of the business event in line with the current situation of the pandemic and the political-economic environment. In addition, he points out that from next year they would bet on a mixed format (face-to-face-virtual).

What is CADE’s proposal for this year?

The CADE This year has the slogan of “Diverse voices, one Peru”, at times of such a difficult situation, in addition to the health, economic and social crisis caused by the pandemic, we now have a severe institutional political crisis. CADE proposes a meeting of different voices in the country, to stabilize consensus and move forward. We gathered voices from 20 panelists from the north, center, east, south of the country, and from Lima, to discuss the challenges from each other’s perspective. Each macro-region has a different problem, but it is about listening to ourselves to find these transversal axes.

In that measure, how do you see the first 100 days of Pedro Castillo’s government?

There is enormous concern about the high level of uncertainty in these first 100 days, where we still do not have clarity regarding the direction that the country is going to take in concrete actions on the economy, education or when the closing of gaps will resume. social.

What are the government’s challenges at this juncture?

I believe that Peruvian society has clear priorities. Health first of all, may the vaccination continue and we can contain the pandemic. As a second priority, the reactivation of the economy, job creation and poverty reduction. And, as a third priority, there is greater institutional and governance stability that allows us to resume the path of development. These are the priorities that the public is asking the Government and in these first 100 days there is a lot of uncertainty and little clarity that generates more uncertainty in the markets.

In the latest BCRP survey, almost all business expectations have improved. Do you agree on it?

It is a projection for the future that will occur only if the uncertainty decreases, if the agents of the economy are given greater security and stability. To the extent that the uncertainty continues, it has a negative effect and these forecasts, if the conditions are not met, can be reversed; hopefully not. At CADE we will have 8 international speakers, who will discuss the strengthening of institutions and democracy and the development of our regions. Peru is not the only country that is experiencing difficulties, I believe that the entire region has common problems that we have to solve.

How do you see the investment climate?

I feel it expectantly. I would like to think that in the following months we will see greater clarity about the direction of the country, to give me that stability that the economy needs to reactivate. One of the great dangers of an economy is that our engine dies, I believe that we are not there yet, but there is a situation of expectations.

What does the business sector expect from the Government?

The business community in CADE is presenting 10 principles of its action, with a commitment to the Country Agenda. But at the same time it demands the State to comply with the population. That resources and taxes are used to provide quality basic services that serve the vulnerable.

And what do you think the population of the business sector expects?

There are several studies that say that Peru is the most entrepreneurial country in the world. Peru recognizes its formal and informal entrepreneurs, recognizes the role they play in being engines of development, that we generate employment and support families. But I think that in this reality of the pandemic, society demands much more from companies, and they have to be willing to take on the biggest challenge.

What can entrepreneurship do in the short term to help reduce poverty?

The main contribution of the business community is to reactivate the economy, and continue investing and betting on Peru; generate employment and through that reduce poverty.