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Protesters march in Panama against the contract extension for a huge copper mine_我的网站

天地争霸美猴王

一 | 　　讯 8月24日，工业和信息化部举行“第32次亚太经合组织（APEC）中小企业部长会议新闻通气会”。 PANAMA CITY -- Protesters blocked streets across Panama on Monday, demanding the government rescind a contract to continue copper mining in a biodiverse region.Teaching and construction unions led calls against the contract with environmentalists, saying continued development threatens forested land and crucial groundwater just 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of the capital, in the state of Colon.Across Panama City, peaceful protesters handed out fliers, but in some areas on the outskirts of the capital police met protesters with tear gas. In anticipation of the largest marches since a cost of living crisis last July, both the Department of Education and the University of Panama cancelled classes. The government used social media to highlight the “enormous contribution” the mine — Panama's largest private investment ever — makes to the country's economy.In March, Panama's legislature reached an agreement with Canadian mining company First Quantum, allowing its local subsidiary, Minera Panama, to continue operating a huge open-pit copper mine in central Panama for at least 20 more years. The mine was temporarily closed last year when talks between the government and First Quantum broke down over payments the government wanted to receive.Protests began after President Laurentino Cortizo signed off on that contract on Friday after it was approved by the congress.The president acted surreptitiously, according to Fernando Abrego, leader of Panama's Association of Teachers union. “The government decided this confrontation by quickly and expeditiously approving a contract they know is rejected by the people,” he said.Teachers were joined by construction workers, who are one of country's most powerful labor groups. “The people are in the streets in defense of sovereignty," said union leader Saúl Méndez, "in the face of a contract that cedes self-determination by devastating the environment to steal resources.”It is unclear how persuasive these arguments will prove against the economic boon of a single mining site that already brings in 3% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Minera Panama says the mine will employ thousands of Panamanians and that its shipments make 80% of the country's total exports.The new contract, initially slowed by labor disagreements, secures Panama at least $375 million a year from Minera Panama, over 10 times more than the previous deal. It represents one of the largest national mining contracts in a region where other countries like Costa Rica regulate the sector more stringently and El Salvador which banned metal mining in 2017. For teachers, however, Abrego said concession was not an option, and that the teachers' union would hold an assembly to plan their next actions. “We will remain in the streets,” he said.。　　工业和信息化部副部长柯吉欣在会上介绍，第32次APEC中小企业部长会议将于9月4日在广东省广州市举行。APEC各经济体中小企业主管部门负责人、APEC秘书处代表及有关嘉宾将出席会议。本次会议以“创新驱动合作共赢”为主题，各方将围绕设定议题深入交流，分享政策举措和实践经验，共同探讨促进亚太中小企业发展的合作路径。

二 | 　　会议期间，还将举办系列配套会议和活动，包括第62次APEC中小企业工作组会议，第二十一届中国国际中小企业博览会，围绕创新生态、数智赋能、可持续发展、跨境投资等方向举办专题论坛或研讨，以及企业交流和实地参访等相关活动。　　“我们希望通过多层次、多形式的交流，为各经济体政府部门、企业、科研机构和服务机构搭建合作平台，促进政策经验互鉴，推动技术、项目和市场对接，让更多中小企业参与亚太合作、共享发展机遇。