Peru continues to advance its integration policy and is betting on greater trade openness,
You played a very active role in the Ninth Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission in Melbourne, Australia. What results were achieved?
At this meeting, we made very significant decisions. It is worth recalling that last year, at the Vancouver (Canada) meeting, the CPTPP decided to begin the negotiation process for Costa Rica's accession to the agreement. Peru was chosen to lead this process; we have worked extensively this year and expect to conclude it in December.
Besides, we have held talks with various participating ministers, including Costa Rica's Foreign Trade Minister Manuel Tovar to promote Costa Rica's membership in the CPTPP by the end of this year, as planned.
Furthermore, considering that the CPTPP is a dynamic agreement and that we are facing a somewhat unstable international trade situation that requires such initiatives, we decided to include Uruguay in a negotiation process, which has already been officially announced. Likewise, within the framework of this important economic bloc, we have considered evaluating the possibility of including Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines in this negotiation process as well.
How do companies, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), benefit from this agreement?
International trade is highly dynamic, and MSMEs must keep pace with that dynamism. Therefore, we aim to create greater opportunities for them, and in this regard, important decisions have been made, such as negotiating and including certain chapters related, for example, to e-commerce, the implementation of foreign trade single windows that significantly simplify procedures—particularly for MSMEs—and also negotiating the establishment of favorable conditions, as well as the removal of barriers for trade and services.
On the other hand, it is necessary to take concrete measures so that the promotion agendas of CPTPP members can identify opportunities for collaboration and the creation of value chains among MSMEs in member countries. Thus, the agreement demonstrates the importance of continuing to serve as an instrument that responds to the international trade realities. These are very significant advances that are particularly relevant for Peru, as they strengthen our market diversification policy for our exporters.
In addition to the results achieved with the CPTPP, how is Peru's trade performance under other trade agreements going?
We currently have the Optimization Agreement with China, the Agreement with Guatemala, and the Agreement with Hong Kong in the process of internal formalization. These agreements were already signed last year within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting.
This year, we have signed two additional trade agreements, with Guatemala and Indonesia, which are also undergoing internal formalization.
Similarly, we will negotiate agreements with Thailand, India, El Salvador, Uruguay, and the United Arab Emirates. In the latter case, for example, it will be the first time we negotiate with a country in the Middle East, a region that offers us many opportunities, as these nations purchase almost everything from the world, and we have the products they need. The first round of negotiations to reach an agreement with the United Arab Emirates will be held virtually in the first week of December.
In the case of Thailand, we are fostering the signing of an agreement that has been under negotiation for some time. We have even signed protocols and consolidated all the disciplines of the trade agreement into a single document. We expect to conclude this negotiation in December.
With India, we are still in the negotiation process; the last round took place on November 7, and we are now planning a new round, which we hope will take place in January of next year.
In the case of El Salvador, we are quite advanced, having held a meeting last month; and with Uruguay, a negotiation round is scheduled for December.
These agreements have been vital for the development of our international trade, and as long as we continue to open up to the world, we will keep showing encouraging figures that not only positively impact the country's macroeconomic growth but also the development of small producers, companies, and all those involved in this productive and pivotal sector.
Peruvian exports will once again reach a record high this year. How is Mincetur working to maintain these growth levels?
At the Ministry, we work based on three pillars. The first is market openness. In this regard, we are negotiating new trade agreements, as well as optimizing and improving existing ones. We coordinate closely with relevant authorities, such as the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa), which plays a key role in market access and the development of sanitary protocols.
For example, last year the Chinese market was opened to frozen products, and this October, to bananas and fresh pomegranates. Last year, pecans were included, too. We have new products and new supply chains for exports, which is clearly reflected in a significant increase in export figures.
The second pillar is the strengthening of capacities for MSMEs. We can have open markets, zero tariffs, and the necessary sanitary protocols, but if we do not have companies capable of producing what international markets demand, we will not be able to seize these opportunities. Therefore, we have various programs to strengthen the capacities of MSMEs focused on specific production lines. To achieve this, we work in coordination with other ministries, such as the Ministry of Production (Produce) and the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), covering everything from work in the field to the point of contact with potential buyers.
The third pillar focuses on trade facilitation, where we address all aspects related to ensuring our products reach their destination.
In this sphere, we must work on fundamental elements such as ports, roads, access routes, and airports (infrastructure), efficient procedures, and access to financing for MSMEs—essentially, factors that allow us to emerge as a developed economy. These are the three pillars that Mincetur works on in a coordinated manner; additionally, we carry out very concrete activities in all regions to connect our exporters with international trade in the shortest time possible.
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