Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Wednesday night called for a boost to the national industry, as well as competition for investments to guarantee further employment, development and productivity.
"Much remains to be done to industrialize the country. Peru is still an emerging
economy with a primarily young population —50% is under 30— so we must reverse this industrial decline," he affirmed.
The Head of State explained this is to be achieved through customs, tax and labor measures, as well as the harnessing of gas and the use of port infrastructure.
Efforts to this end include plans to install two
mines in Marcona (Ica region), each requiring a US$1.5 billion investment.
In this respect, the statesman also referred to recently issued provisions, which will "allow us to double
copper smelting capacity in the short term."
Smelting plants, along with special economic zones, industrial parks and major projects, will further fuel the economy, he noted.
Regarding the latter, the top official underscored government efforts to resume large ventures halted as a result of political matters and the
Lava Jato corruption scandal.
"Competing for investments is competing for development, because investment leads to employment generation and productivity […]," he concluded.
Remarks were made during a ceremony on the occasion of the National Society of Industries' (SNI) 121st anniversary.
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