Peru is among the three economies with the most free trade agreements (FTAs) in Latin America; however, the
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) continues to seek new markets and increase the number of trade agreements currently in place: 22.
"We are seeing a rise in export volumes, but the country continues to sell (its products) to the same markets in Asia, Europe, and the United States. For this reason, we feel the need to insist on opening up markets and new free trade agreements," Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Mathews told Canal N.
"That is why the trade agreement with Hong Kong is in process, as well as the FTA proposals with Indonesia and India," he added.
FTA with Hong Kong by 2024
The minister reiterated that the free trade agreement with Hong Kong is at an advanced stage, so it is expected to be ready by the first quarter of next year.
"We are taking part in the third round of negotiations with Hong Kong. We will reach the fourth round in October, and therefore we will almost be at the end of the process, although an additional round is very likely," Mathews explained.
"I think we would complete the FTA with Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2024," he added.
Schedule of meetings with Indonesia
Mathews indicated that a first set of meetings for the negotiations on a FTA with Indonesia would be held next August.
"Regarding the FTA with Indonesia, we are a little step behind, in the sense that we put together some terms of reference and they accepted the start of negotiations," the official said.
"We estimate that the first negotiation timetable would be available in the first week of August," the government official said.
"Indonesia has a population of 500 million people and is an interesting market for what we offer, including the agro-export sector," he added.
(END) CNA/RMB/MVB
Publicado: 20/7/2023