The gaps in basic services in the Amazon prevent it from developing all the potential that the territory offers. La República interviewed Ericka Sandy Salazar, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Production and Tourism of San Martín, about the V Congress of Amazonian Entrepreneurs.
-What would be the impact of the congress and what is it looking for?
-This is a space where we are going to meet the native communities, the business associations, the Amazonian community, the ministers and the president to see the problems and gaps, but also to analyze the opportunities and the preparation of the Strategic Comprehensive Development Plan of the Amazon by 2050. The Amazon occupies more than 60% of the national territory and has the sweetest and largest water harvests in the world.
-How do you intend to boost the Amazon economy?
-First we have to be clear about the gaps we have, I’m talking about energy, connectivity and water. Without that we cannot grow economically or develop industry, which is what generates employment. Likewise, developing sustainable tourism is key.
-What is the importance of the development of tourism activity in the Amazon?
-Tourism at a global level provides one in every 11 jobs and in the San Martín region alone there are about 180 potentially tourist places that require basic services and comfort for foreign tourists. We also have to work and take care of our forests with the vision of developing sustainable and responsible tourism. Ecotourism does not yet have the relevance that we would like, we only have 2% of incoming tourism. What we should do is promote more, but to do so they always ask us about our basic services and that is a gap that we must begin to cover.
-What results did the previous edition of the congress have and what is expected from this one?
-The first editions served to make the Amazon visible and in the last congress real problems were discussed, there were international panelists and we had the presence of ministers and the presidency. This year we are going to land on the achievements obtained through the Loreto declaration. Something that has been achieved is the formation of the Executive Board for the development of the Peruvian Amazon in the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This table seeks to propose actions that allow the productive and environmentally sustainable development of the Amazon. The Amazon community and business associations are part of it.
-In terms of market access opportunities, what is the scenario?
-Despite all the gaps that exist, we already have an international market. San Martín, for example, has a market in Chile. On the other hand, among all the Amazonians we have more than 50% of the cocoa production and now its price is booming. The Amazon exports its products to countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Chile and also to the European Union. However, they enter agriculturally and not through processing. Therefore, it is necessary to attract investments that contribute to the transformation of our products that are currently exported to the world, but with little or zero added values.
-What are the key indicators to measure the success of ventures in the Amazon?
-At the national level, the participation of the Amazon does not even reach 4% of GDP. Regarding competitiveness level indices, the Amazon regions normally occupy the last places. However, I believe that if we begin to close these gaps in connectivity, education and good services, we will raise our rates.
Source: Larepublica
Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
