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DE RUEHPE #1269/01 2431650
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311650Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1134
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 001269
SIPDIS
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
TREASURY FOR MEWENS
USTR FOR BHARMAN AND MCARRILLO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV ECON EFIN USTR PE
SUBJECT: AUGUST TRADE AND INVESTMENT BRIEFS
SUMMARY
-------
1. This is an update on the following trade and investment news
from Peru:
Trade
- Peru and Singapore FTA Enters into Force
- Peru and EU, Difficulties with IPR
- Government Says Peru-Chile FTA Not Unconstitutional
- One More Year for Peru-Mexico Agreement
- Peru Seeks Customs Cooperation with Japan, Hong Kong, and
Thailand
- Imports Decreased 37.7% in July
Investment
- 56 Peruvian Businesses Operate in 26 Countries
- Peru Top Destination for Chilean Investment
PERU AND SINGAPORE FTA ENTERS INTO FORCE
----------------------------------------
On August 1, 2009, the Peru-Singapore Free Trade Agreement entered
into force. The agreement includes a customs cooperation provision.
Also, as a part of the FTA, Peru and Singapore have concluded an
Open Skies Agreement.
PERU AND EU, DIFFICULTIES WITH IPR
----------------------------------
Patent protection provisions remain under negotiation between Peru
and the EU. The EU has not asked for more stringent measures, but
merely those that follow international norms (5 years of protection
for test data and 20 years for patents). The EU estimates a 300%
increase in agro exports once the agreement enters into force. The
EU and Peru will hold a sixth round of negotiations in Brussels in
September. The most difficult themes under negotiation include
biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
GOVERNMENT SAYS PERU-CHILE FTA NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL
--------------------------------------------- ------
The Peruvian Ministry of Trade and Tourism said the trade agreement
that Peru and Chile signed should not be considered
unconstitutional. Forty Peruvian legislators have questioned the
constitutionality of the FTA because Congress did not debate. The
President of the Constitutional Tribunal will rule on the
constitutionality of the agreement by September 12.
ONE MORE YEAR FOR PERU-MEXICO AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------
Mexico has agreed to extend for one more year the Economic
Complementation Agreement (ACE) with Peru. The agreement would have
expired on December 31, 2009. Peru had asked to extend the
agreement for two years.
PERU SEEKS CUSTOMS COOPERATION WITH JAPAN, HONG KONG, AND THAILAND
------------
The Peruvian Minister of Trade and Tourism has proposed establishing
a customs agreement with Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, as well as
other ASEAN nations. The Minister hopes the agreement will serve as
a tool to fight the entry of contraband and pirated goods into the
Peruvian market.
IMPORTS DECREASED 37.7% IN JULY
-------------------------------
According to the Peruvian Tax and Customs Agency (SUNAT), Peruvian
imports declined 37.7 percent, following a 39.6 percent decrease in
June, and a 41.3 percent decline in May. Consumer goods, primary
and intermediary materials, and construction materials represented
the bulk of the decline.
56 PERUVIAN BUSINESSES OPERATE IN 26 COUNTRIES
--------------------------------------------- -
Sixteen Peruvian businesses operate in Chile, making that country
the largest destination for Peruvian investment. Eleven Peruvian
businesses operate in Brazil, the second largest destination for
Peruvian investment. Thirty-seven Peruvian franchises, mostly in
the food sector, operate abroad.
According to the IV Economic Census of INEI, 987,658 businesses
operate in Peru and of that number 4,598 export their products
abroad to 157 countries. Fifty-six Peruvian businesses have
operations in 26 countries. Major sectors operating abroad include
LIMA 00001269 002 OF 002
food and beverage, mining, textiles, services, and finance.
Peruvian businesses operate in most of North, Central, and South
America. In Europe, Peruvian businesses operate in Germany, France,
Spain, and England. Other locations include China, Thailand, and
Dubai.
PERU TOP DESTINATION FOR CHILEAN INVESTMENT
-------------------------------------------
Peru received 58% of total Chilean foreign investment during the
first semester of 2009. Peru ranked in second place in 2008 and in
third place from 1990-2008. Over 280 Chilean businesses operate in
Peru. These businesses include well known names for Peruvian
consumers such as major department stores (Tottus, Saga Falabella
and Ripley), the primary national airline (Lan), and major
pharmacies (Inkafarma, Boticas Fasa). This year, for the first time
in six years, Peru will register a deficit with Chile due to a 65%
decrease in Peruvian exports to Chile.
MCKINLEY