$ 53 million in home sales on the first day of the distancing phase

The president of the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce , Pablo Arosemena, reported that on the first day of the distancing phase (Monday, May 4, 2020), sales of $ 53 million were recorded, made online or by phone.

$ 53 million in home sales on the first day of the distancing phase

Arosemena disclosed that figure in a virtual meeting led by the head of the MIES, Iván Granda , on “The challenges of the productive sector in the framework of social discipline.”

To a question from El Telégrafo , he specified that it is basically dammed sales, basically household appliances and clothing.

To this is added, repair of household appliances (blenders, washing machines, etc.), sale of furniture, flowers and cosmetics.

He said that it is ” good news ” because they are formal sales, which generate liquidity, allow employment and generate resources for the Government, resources to continue with the titanic task of transferring resources to those who need it most.

Arosemena ruled that, after evaluating the country’s health situation , and following the rules established by the National Committee for Emergency Operations (COE) , the cantons evaluate the possibility of opening formal trade, to avoid job losses.

According to estimates cited by him, due to the situation generated by the pandemic , with the paralysis of the commercial and productive sector, 135,000 jobs are lost in the country. And, he added, should the recession continue, the number could rise by half a million lost jobs .

He noted that the billing at the national level, as the National Federation of Chambers of Commerce , is that this year in little more than 50 days of stoppage of activities, it has already fallen by more than $ 10,787 million ”.

“That is the equivalent at this point on the road to almost three earthquakes that the country suffered in 2016,” he said.

On the other hand, he mentioned based on these statistics that the losses in commercial activity are $ 5,552 million.

He indicated that in his opinion, what is going to help is not to impose taxes or grant subsidies, but rather to allow formal trade to open, with all the biosafety protocols , to avoid the loss of more jobs.

“They are going to generate a cash flow that is going to allow them to hold jobs , which is key to avoiding the problem of a prolonged recession,” he concluded. (I)