LIMA, Nov 18 (NNN-ndin) — Trade between Peru and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies reached US$59.444 billion between January and September this year, up 14.2% compared to the same period last year, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Roberto Sanchez reported.
This important economic forum has positively impacted the performance of Peru’s exports and imports.
In the case of foreign sales, they amounted to US$31.902 billion in the January-September period (7.5%), driven by higher exports of hydrocarbons, non-metallic minerals, as well as chemical, textile, and farming products.
“At the country level, the biggest increases were recorded in the exports to Mexico (76.9%), Taipei (49.9%), and the United States (29.5%),” Sanchez explained.
“While Peruvian exports to China grew 2.5%, probably due to the economic slowdown that this economy has been experiencing,” he added.
As for imports, they amounted to US$27.543 billion (up 23.1%) between January and September this year, due to the arrival of goods such as household appliances, tires, textiles, as well as information technology and steel products.
“APEC is one of the most important markets for Peruvian exports. For this reason, it is vital to participate in the 29th APEC Forum Leaders’ Summit, which is currently taking place in Thailand,” the minister commented.
“Let us not forget that, in the last 12 months, Peru’s trade with APEC member countries has accounted for 66% of the total trade in goods between Peru and the world, which provides clear and concrete figures that show the importance of our integration with the main global economies,” the Cabinet member remarked.
Founded in November 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum is made up of 21 Asia-Pacific economies.
It seeks to promote trade and investment liberalization, facilitate business, as well as promote economic and technical cooperation in order to achieve prosperity among member economies.
Members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam. Peru joined the forum in 1998 and has presided over APEC twice, in 2008 and 2016.
Peru is represented at the APEC summit by Vice-President Dina Boluarte, Foreign Affairs Minister Cesar Landa, and Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Miguel Palomino. The summit begins with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) on Nov 17-19. — NNN-ANDINA
