Roberto de la Tore, president of the CCL: “An incentive (tax) should not be permanent”

From a viewpoint where the Megapuerto de Chancay, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lima (CCL), Roberto de la Tore, talks with the Republic, hours before signing an agreement with the commune to train the commune to train companies so that they are integrated into the value chain of the bonanzas generated by the Port Terminal. This and other economic taras addresses them without capujos.

-How do you see the business mood for this year?

Business expectations are better than those of last year, there is a little more positivism. But there comes the complicated theme of the electoral year with so many matches. What we must have are state policies. I think we need.

-Compart the vision of Boluarte in Davos (Switzerland) that there is political, social peace of mind and that the economy is going well?

No, the facts definitely demonstrate that it is not so. We have everything to be able to develop, to resume higher rates, but now the main thing is to control the issue of security, but we are going to complicate things more.

-As go 8 months of GDP growth. Is there a space this 2025 to grow at least 4% or is it fictional?

I see it very difficult because predictions are even to grow less, 2.8%. Then, it would remain a mediocre growth. In addition, the growth of 3.2 that has been obtained (in 2024) has been thanks to public investment, which has grown a lot for more than 12%.

–On the eventual special economic zone law, at least in Chancay what position do they have in relation to that of the MEF that indicates an initial rate of income tax of 5%?

A second vote is missing so that the Framework Law can be created. We consider that it is an important tool that has shown that it works in all countries, from China to the United States. There are more than 8,000 special economic zones in the world. Peru does not have legislation of private private economic zone. It is a regime that gives you customs facilities and tax benefits, but it is not that a company comes and installed there without any commitment.

They must say ‘I will invest so much and generate so much employment in so many years’. And if you don’t meet it, I take off the benefits. We agree that 15%is paid, which is gradual in 10 or 15 years. While it would be desirable to start 0%, as a Chamber of Commerce we would not even have a problem that starts with 5%. Nor is it a rigid position.

-In the case of Chancay megaport, experts indicate that it is sold alone. Would you still need these benefits?

One thing is the port itself, which is sold alone and due to its location and type of draft can bring larger ships, and can become a hub. Right now starting with a 35% national load. What the port is pointing is to the load of Brazil, to the entire acre area, Rondonia, where soy and meat move.

So, the port yes, but with the logistics area you want to do, you have to see the world and the region. Precisely, the US $ 79,000 million that are leaving Asia to the region; Colombia has a plan to capture 11,000 million, we don’t have a plan. It is an issue of giving incentives.

-There is also the new Agrarian Law. Doesn’t you think that agro -exporters are living an economic bonanza and employment is going very well, as if to continue enjoying tax benefits?

I would see it by this angle: agro -export since the law occurred has grown a lot. It has shown that the law works. And the law still had 10 more years. It was 30, and the 20 cut it. So, first, there you are breaking a legal stability.

We did not have a single blueberry 10 years ago, now we are the first world exporters. The same happens with the grape and the asparagus, which was our only star. Now we have about 5 or 10 star products that have grown. We have much more to develop with irrigation projects.

We always have to have incentives to attract that investment. We are the idea that an incentive should not be permanent, but temporary so you can develop a certain sector and after you leave free.

-Sevo that they can spend more than 30 years?

You should no longer have tax benefits. He was 10 years old. They are fulfilled. The investments had been scheduled for that time and has been interrupted. We are not (the idea) that you must have permanent benefits for the certain sectors. Obviously, some will want to have their benefits all your life, but no, you have to have the level court later.

–Criminality is grating points to GDP. Is the Executive aim at your strategies about insecurity?

Definitely, the security issue has an impact on economic growth. The cost involved in security companies continues to grow considerably. Then, it becomes less competitive. The state of emergency will not work. In security, we think there must be four axes: leadership, budget, intelligence and articulation among all actors, (including) Judicial Power and Public Ministry.

–What implies the agreement between the CCL and the Municipality of Chancay?

Chancay could become a regional hub. There are 4,700 companies and 99.5% are micro. Industrial and commercial activities that can be developed in the (eventual) special economic zone need trained people and that there may be a good job offer. But if we see statistically, only 18.4% of the economically active population here have some technical or professional training. So, there is a great gap. One of the aspects of the agreement is to help train businessmen and officials of the municipality.

Highlight

“The cost involved in security companies continues to grow. The state of emergency will not work. ”

“While it would be desirable for the Income Tax to begin with 0%, as a Chamber of Commerce we would have no problem starting with 5%.”

“We are limping on the fiscal deficit. We have asked the MEF that this year it has to be more disciplined and has to fulfill the rule they impose. ”