Peru has officially received the Pro-Tempore Presidency of the
Pacific Alliance, in a ceremony held in the Chilean capital, Santiago, which brought together authorities from Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, the
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reported on Tuesday.
"Today (August 1), Peru assumes the major challenge of holding the Pro-Tempore Presidency of the Pacific Alliance, which is a great opportunity for our country to lead and strengthen ties across the region, promoting the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. Also, it strengthens cooperation for the benefit of our peoples," Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Mathews remarked.
Peru's vision, for this period in which it will hold the Pro-Tempore Presidency, is to continue strengthening deep economic integration together, promoting actions and activities in public-private spaces, in coordination with the
Pacific Alliance Business Council (CEAP).
Likewise, the aim is to continue working on the business potential of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which are vital parts of Member States' economic-commercial dynamics.
It is worth noting that MSMEs make up over 99% of companies in the region, while in Peru, they account for 55% of firms exporting within the bloc.
Boost to Foreign Trade and Tourism
Mincetur highlighted that coordinated actions will be taken to prepare a Road Map for the development and strengthening of exporting MSMEs in the Pacific Alliance, so as to increase their participation in international and regional trade.
Furthermore, there will be initiatives on trade facilitation, investment, digital economy, among other areas.
Moreover, actions will be taken to strengthen regional tourism, through activities focused on developing a sustainable tourism offer, with the participation of young people and women, as well as the reactivation of tourism MSMEs, which are of great importance in the generation of jobs across the region.
About the Pacific Alliance
The
Pacific Alliance has become
the world's eighth-largest economy and
the sixth exporting power, accounting for 42.9% of GDP in Latin America, as well as drawing 57.4% of foreign direct investment flows in the region,
according to Mincetur.
In 2022, trade between Peru and Pacific Alliance Member States reached a record US$8.418 billion.
Peruvian exports to the Pacific Alliance countries totaled US$3.875 billion, which accounted for 6% of the global total.
The main exported products include avocados, grapes, palm oil, coffee, and paprika. Also worthy of note are minerals and chemical products, such as molybdenum, zinc, copper, sulfuric acid, plastics, and tires.
(END) NDP/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/1/2023