14:27 | Chiclayo (Lambayeque region), Feb. 10.
The
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) on Thursday reported that
Peru was confirmed as the venue for the Summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2024.
This announcement was made through a statement by the Prime Minister of Thailand —the economy that leads
this year's APEC Summit.
With this consensus,
Minister Roberto Sanchez confirmed that Peru will chair the forum for the third time. It had previously hosted the summits in 2008 and 2016.
The Cabinet member explained that our country holds the record of eight years between presidencies —the shortest period in which an economy had once again led an APEC summit.
"In 2024, Peru will intend to deepen the consolidation of its strategic position in the Asia-Pacific, the most dynamic region around the world," he emphasized.
More inclusion
In view of this announcement, the minister affirmed that —from Mincetur, in line with what was established by the
Government of President Pedro Castillo— issues related to economic and social development will continue to be promoted, as well as aspects linked to inclusion through trade and tourism.
As is known,
APEC is made up of 21 Asia-Pacific economies. The members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
Expectations
Minister Sanchez stressed that the organization of APEC 2024 will help strengthen more inclusive trade for the benefit of micro, small and medium-sized Peruvian companies, in addition to boosting exports and tourism.
During Peru's last APEC presidency in 2016 more than 130 meetings were held in seven cities in our country: Arequipa, Iquitos, Lima, Piura, Tacna, Tarapoto, and Trujillo.
Since 1998, Peru's participation in APEC has been highly beneficial. In 2021, bilateral trade with the forum economies reached a record of US$67.5 billion. In the same year, 67.8% of our international trade involved said trading bloc.
Furthermore, Peruvian exports to APEC economies have experienced an average annual growth —between 2009 and 2020— of 6.1%, while imports have risen at an annual average of 6.3%.
In addition, 48% of international tourists who had visited Peru —prior to the COVID-19 pandemic— came from APEC member economies.
For this reason, hosting APEC in 2024 will be a new opportunity to boost and reactivate these sectors at the national level —led by Mincetur— especially tourism, thus meaning hotels, restaurants, tourist transportation and travel agencies —those most affected by the current pandemic.
(END) NDP/SDD/MVB
Published: 2/10/2022