Peru is a preferred partner for China in Latin America, by virtue of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is currently into force, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, Peru’s President Ollanta Humala noted today.
He recalled this strategic alliance was achieved under his government, within the framework of the official visit he paid to the Asian country in April 2013, and pointed out that only a few countries in Latin America have reached this level of relations with China.
He stood out the arrival of Chinese Prime Minister, Li Kenqiang, in Lima, which will be favorable to reiterate the invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Peru.
Xi Jinping’s visit might take place next year on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be hosted by Peru.
One of the agreements signed with Li’s delegation, he detailed, contemplates the construction of the bi-oceanic railway, intended to connect the Brazilian coast with ports in Peru, which will result in an interconnection with China and the Asia-Pacific region.
“This is a multimillionaire project. We are at the study stage, and a memorandum of understanding has been signed to continue moving forward,” he noted.
According to the Head of State, the project would consolidate the geopolitical position of Peru as natural entry point for Asian goods –particularly from China– to South America.
He also noted a recently signed agreement seeking to implement an agricultural research center, which will result in technological transfers to modernize agriculture –particularly in Andean zones–and turn it more competitive.
“We have signed an agreement to allow [Peruvian] avocados enter Chinese market. We have the chance to export avocados into China worth up to US$50 million a year. It is a tremendous opportunity for farmers,” the President continued.
Mr. Humala informed the high-ranking meeting also focused on education and consolidation of the scholarship system, which nowadays enables young people to travel to China in order to take postgraduate and Chinese language courses.
The Peruvian leader addressed the media after opening urban improvement works in Cementerio Corpac sector, located in Castilla district, Piura.
(END) MVF/MVF/RMB
Published: 5/23/2015