The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru announced on Apr. 23 a meeting with the Italian Trade Agency to strengthen a technical cooperation agreement aimed at developing value chains in sectors such as agri-food, textiles, biocosmetics, sustainable fashion, and manufacturing. The meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Production and the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation.
This initiative is significant as it seeks to enhance innovation, technology transfer, and business training for micro, small, and medium-sized exporting enterprises in Peru. The collaboration also aims to create new opportunities for export growth by leveraging international partnerships.
César Llona, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, said: “Nuestra relación bilateral atraviesa un momento de extraordinario dinamismo. Italia se ha consolidado como nuestro cuarto socio comercial europeo más importante, con exportaciones que han alcanzado los US$ 1 178 millones, lo que representa un impresionante incremento del 38.4% respecto al 2024.” He added that inter-institutional coordination is key to maximizing the impact of this cooperation agreement.
Llona also said: “El fortalecimiento de este vínculo se encuentra alineado con la Política Nacional Multisectorial de Comercio Exterior al 2040, que busca consolidar una oferta exportable más competitiva, sostenible y con mayor valor agregado. La transferencia tecnológica y el apoyo de Italia son piezas clave para alcanzar las metas de competitividad y diversificación de mercados que el Perú se ha trazado para las próximas décadas.”
During the meeting at Mincetur headquarters in Lima—which included officials from Midagri and Produce as well as Eliana Zappalà from ITA—participants coordinated actions for implementing the technical agreement. They discussed adding Midagri through an addendum that would facilitate establishing a Center for Agricultural Mechanization Technology proposed by Italy. This center aims to increase productivity in Andean tuber supply chains such as potatoes through technology transfer and equipment donations.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism contributes to cultural progress by promoting sustainable tourism according to its official website. It operates autonomously within Peru’s executive branch according to the ministry while advancing national strategies for trade expansion according to official information. Oversight falls under the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism as reported by Mincetur, serving communities across Peru with a focus on trade facilitation according to its website. The ministry works alongside entities like PromPerú toward these objectives according to official sources, having been established in 2002 as a leading authority directing policies on foreign trade as stated by Mincetur.
