Peruvian Ambassador to the United States, Alfredo Ferrero, on Saturday affirmed that he relies on a work team —including diplomats and other professionals— who have the goal of revitalizing relations with the North American country so as to put Peru on the investment agenda of said nation.
Ferrero indicated that the relationship with the U.S. is multi-thematic.
In this regard, the envoy said there are two important milestones that will be celebrated; for example, 2024 marks the 15th anniversary of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while 200 years of diplomatic relations will be commemorated in 2026.
"I am preparing work plans for each of the issues that are my duty; I work aiming at objectives, and I like working on goals; I have a well-trained team, including diplomats and those who are not, and we are capable of revitalizing relations with United States," he told RPP Noticias.
In that sense, Ferrero specified that "additional boost" will be given to be able to harness the current situation that is beneficial for Peru, with the aim of placing our country back on the U.S. investment agenda.
Likewise, he recalled that the Peru-United States FTA was the origin and platform for other treaties signed by Peru, which enabled the South American nation to have a "very varied" export basket.
"To contextualize the figures, when I assumed (the lead at) the Deputy Foreign Trade Ministry in 1999, Peruvian exports used to total US$7 billion; in 2006, we exported (goods) worth close to US$26 billion; a few years ago, we exported US$55 billion; this was possible thanks to the FTAs signed with other countries," he specified.
Furthermore, Ferrero explained that the United States can contribute so that a new wave of investments towards our country can be produced, this being one of the efforts that he will put into his administration.
Tourism
The ambassador specified that Peru welcomes half a million tourists from the United States per year -a figure that can be improved considerably.
"We had years of pandemic and social unrest, and that had an impact; however, North American tourists will return (to Peru) as long as we achieve stability," he said.
The envoy pointed out that it is necessary to revitalize the arrival of more U.S. tourists in the South American country as well.
Thus, Ferrero affirmed he will promote the best places for them to come. He added that it is also necessary to decentralize tourist zones.
Drug trafficking
The new ambassador said that another task is to enhance technical cooperation on the part of the United States for the fight against drug trafficking.
"We need to refine cooperation at the security level; therefore, we must establish a working agenda," he concluded.
(END) JCC/MVB
Published: 3/2/2024