Русский
Peru has been hosting the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, with the head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, received by the Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén Olaya. During their meeting, the sides discussed the current state of trade and economic relations between Russia and Peru as well as their prospects for the future, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Overchuk commended the Peruvian chairmanship of APEC for its focus on economic matters, including the potential establishment of free trade zones, enhancing economic transparency, and ensuring sustainable growth, and conveyed Russia’s readiness to share its expertise with Peruvian counterparts in clean energy development, addressing energy security challenges, and employing digital technologies, particularly in tax administration, to integrate individuals into the formal economy. The discussions also encompassed the development of bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Peru.
Both parties underscored the significance of strengthening the efforts of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, and fisheries.
Discussing the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Overchuk suggested enhanced dialogue with Peru, a step that could lead to a future Free Trade Agreement between the EAEU and Peru. Also discussed was potential BRICS membership, given that neighbouring Bolivia, which has just become a BRICS Partner State, is landlocked and uses Peruvian sea ports to access the Pacific Ocean.
Russia-Peru bilateral trade and cooperation has been increasing in recent years, although trade volumes remain relatively small at US$630 million during 2023, both sides are looking to increase this. Peru wants to sell more consumables such as chocolate and coffee to Russia, while Russia wants to increase fertilizer and energy exports to Peru. As concerns APEC as a whole, Russia has targeted this region for growth. Russia’s trade volume with APEC countries is growing, at the end of 2023 it amounted to US$311.7 billion, increasing 12% over the previous year.
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