The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Desilú León, indicated that this year she will present the new National Multisectoral Foreign Trade Policy to 2035, which will encourage Peru's exports and foreign trade to incorporate sustainability criteria, in line with international market demands.
To achieve this, Peruvian exporters have various services to strengthen their capacities.
Peruvian exports in 2024 reached a record high, with shipments of $74.645 billion, an increase of 15.6% in comparison to 2023. The Peruvian mining exports in 2024 represented $47 billion, meanwhile agricultural exports reached the $12.7 billion, and the fishing sector represented $3.6 billion.
"The objective is for foreign trade in general to incorporate sustainability criteria that will make it increasingly competitive and allow exporters and potential exporters to reach more markets globally," sais minister León.
During the first discussion on "Sustainability and Foreign Trade," organized by the Association of Exporters (ADEX), the head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) also highlighted that some of the trade agreements signed by Peru also include provisions related to sustainable development and the environment.
For instance, the ones signed with the United States, the European Union, and the optimization of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China.
"Providing the necessary tools to Peruvian companies requires cross-sector coordination and also between different levels of government, allowing us to further develop bio businesses, bio trade, and deforestation-free supply chains. This also guarantees traceability and measurement of carbon footprints and promotes the circular economy," said Minister Desilú León.
Sustainability in Capacity-Building Services
During the event, it was also reported that, through the multi sectoral strategy Ruta Productiva Exportadora (RPE) or Export Production Route, led by Mincetur, sustainability-related services are provided in coordination with the Peruvian Commission for the Promotion of Exports and Tourism (Promperú), the Ministry of the Environment, and the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp).
These services include technical assistance in the areas of environmental footprint, biodynamic agriculture, the circular economy, eco- and bio businesses, the "Entrepreneurs by Nature" contest, and the "Allies for Conservation" brand.
"Through the RPE, we have been working with 486 MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises) and producer organizations from 20 regions of the country in 16 agro-industrial chains," explained the head of Mincetur.
She also reported that this year, this multisectoral strategy will provide more than 100 services coordinated with other institutions.
This is in addition to the development of tools such as environmental footprint calculators for the cocoa and banana chains, which identify mitigation opportunities with a view to achieving carbon neutrality, and three circular economy implementation guides focused on the comprehensive use of products (including their reuse and the creation of byproducts for human consumption), among others.
The event also unveiled the sustainability programs promoted by Promperú, which seek to promote businesses that contribute to the conservation of native biodiversity and the development of local communities. The program also included the "Biocomercio Perú" seal, which aims to guarantee consumers a quality product, in accordance with BioTrade principles.
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(END) NDP / MDV
Published: 4/30/2025