Proposal to strengthen banking regulation and restore economic confidence in Lima.

Today, July 24, the Peruvian Aprista Party proposed strengthening regulation in banking services, arguing that the Banking Superintendence and Indecopi have been insufficient in this aspect. Jorge del Castillo, a prominent member of the party, emphasized the need to strengthen regulatory bodies to improve the functioning of the economy. These statements arose in the context of a debate at the National Agreement Forum on the importance of establishing more effective economic regulation mechanisms. Del Castillo stressed that the global crisis has highlighted the limitations of the "laissez-faire" approach. In an economic context where consumer confidence is a key indicator, it was reported today that the confidence index in Lima has reached its highest level since mid-2013. However, this improvement was concentrated in the social strata C, D, and E, with no variation in levels A and B. The recovery of confidence was mainly driven by the ease of finding employment, revealing optimism among sectors of the population that have historically faced greater labor difficulties. Despite this positive trend, it has not yet translated into a significant increase in sales for consumer-related companies. Five years ago, the labor market in the country faced significant challenges. At that time, it was reported that employment was not growing in the provinces and was only increasing by 0.4% in Lima. The economic slowdown had particularly impacted commercial and industrial activity, with Huancavelica and Cerro de Pasco being the most affected areas by the employment contraction, while Paita stood out as a positive case. In this context, it was highlighted that companies with 50 or more employees were the ones continuing to generate employment, demonstrating the importance of the business sector in the country's labor dynamics. These data reflect the complexity of the Peruvian economic situation over time. While proposals for greater regulation in banking services aim to strengthen the stability and efficiency of the financial system, the evolution of employment reveals regional and sectoral differences in the ability to generate work. The recent recovery in consumer confidence in Lima suggests moderate optimism among certain sectors of the population, although challenges persist in business dynamics and retail sales. In this context, it is essential for the State and private actors to work together to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The proposal for greater regulation in banking services put forward by the APRA and other political actors should be analyzed within a broader framework of economic policies that promote equity and development throughout the country. As strategies are evaluated to strengthen the economy, it is crucial to consider the diversity of regional and sectoral realities to ensure growth that benefits the entire population.