Marcos gets invited to Peru

SAN FRANCISCO, California – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday (US time) said it was time that the Philippines and Peru pursued and encouraged even stronger ties considering their common colonial history and as they emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

In a bilateral meeting with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte here, Marcos underscored the need to improve ties amid many geopolitical shocks as both countries are trying to recover and transform their economies after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boluarte invited Marcos to visit Peru to commemorate the establishment of formal relations between Peru and the Philippines and bring Filipino investment to the South American country.

"And I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you officially for [an] official state visit to Peru to celebrate 50 years of our bilateral ties, and next year it is going to be 50 years. So we'd be honored if you could pay a state visit to us to commemorate," she said.

She added: "And so, we look forward to welcoming you to Peru with open arms and warm hearts to have that brotherly and sisterly treatment between our countries."

Peru, Boluarte said, is a very stable country with the lowest inflation rate in the region, adding that she would also like Marcos to come to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting in 2024 for him to get to know the premium culture of Peru.

"This will be a very important step in shortening the distance and shortening the time in order to continue the ties between the Philippines and Peru.," she said.

In terms of trade, Boluarte said she wants trade agencies of Peru and the Philippines to work together for the South American country to ship its agricultural products, such as grapes, avocados, and blueberries, to the Philippines.

Marcos then thanked Boluarte for finding time in her hectic schedule during the APEC meeting in San Francisco to have the bilateral meeting with him.

"It is important, especially as you are taking over the chairmanship for the next round of conferences," he said.

"Especially, we are looking forward to coming to Lima, to Peru for the APEC but, of course, thank you again for your very kind invitation to come, to be with you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our relations, of our formal relations between Peru and the Philippines," Marcos said.

Peru and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on 30 November 1974, with Peru establishing its mission in Manila in 1980 and the Philippines setting up its embassy in Lima in 1982.

There were approximately 160 Filipinos in Peru as of September 2022, mostly professionals, service and sales workers, missionaries, and students.

The Philippines' main exports to Peru include tuna, electronic products, chemicals, and non-metallic mineral manufacturers, among other things.

On the other hand, Peru's major exports to the Philippines include metal products, metalliferous ores and metal scrap, non-ferrous metal, animal feed, and apparel and accessories.

Investment areas for promotion to Peru include manufacturing (e.g., electronics, energy sector products, food/agribusiness, aerospace), infrastructure, and energy.

Tourism is another potential area for greater cooperation.

About Peru's APEC participation, it previously hosted APEC in 2008 and 2016. Peru's APEC 2024 theme is: "Empower. Include. Grow."