Peru is close to signing new free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries on various continents around the world, which will benefit all Peruvian companies dedicated to exports.
"As a first step, we have established a committee to evaluate this possibility. We are due to meet during the first quarter of next year," she said.
Indonesia is another of the countries that Peru has had its eye on for some time now. In this regard, the President of the Republic, Dina Boluarte, has announced the completion of negotiations on the trade agreement chapters.
"The only pending issues are those that we are working on, and we hope to complete them in the first quarter of 2025. Indonesia is also making a very important commitment. Its president (Prabowo Subianto) has expressed interest in reaching a consensus on the annexes that are still being drafted as soon as possible. We hope to conclude these negotiations during the first half of next year," she disclosed.
Central America and other countries
"The technical teams have held meetings during the first week of November to advance and fine-tune the terms of reference. This refers to the framework under which the negotiation will be conducted. Once we agree on this point, negotiations can be launched next year," Mera indicated.
"Central America is also a very important market for our exports, not only for agriculture but also for diverse manufactured products, products with great potential for action such as construction products, and medical products that are rarely talked about," she expressed.
Among other pending agreements, Mera indicated there is an open negotiation process with India. Following the 2023 elections in that country, the process has entered a pause period in which the results of other previously-signed agreements are being reviewed. Thus, a new framework for a future treaty might be established.
This review process might end this December, so the date for the resumption of negotiations will be announced shortly.
"Additionally, we are working with Uruguay and Guatemala. These are countries with which we have agreements, but for one reason or another we have not been able to complete them. We have resumed those conversations, and we are moving forward with the teams from both countries to be able to conclude the negotiations," she pointed out.