/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The newly-established South Africa-Peru Chamber of Commerce (SAPCHAM) will focus its attention on mining, agro-processing and construction due to three sectors’ viability and capacity to increase bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. This was said by the Ambassador of South Africa to Peru, Ms Elsa Dry.

Dry was speaking at the launch of the chamber which took place in Lima, Peru. South African businesspeople who are doing business in Peru, as well as business delegation of South Africans who are on a week-long Outward Trade and Investment Mission organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) attended the launch.

“Both the embassy, in co-operation with the dti and the new chamber have decided to focus on three sectors, namely mining, agro-processing and construction. Both our countries have considerable strengths in these sectors. As developing countries, we can also learn a great deal from, and complement each other,” said Dry.

She identified the export of capital equipment to Peru mostly for mining by South Africa and Peru’s export of agricultural products such as asparagus, giant squid and avocadoes to SA as some of the complementaries that the two countries can focus on and grow their bilateral trade.

“Furthermore, South Africa has great expertise in the wine industry which Peru may wish to discover and tap into. Another area which could be interesting to focus on in future is the blue economy which comprises of our marine and river resources, aquaculture and offshore drilling. Our countries can also work closely together and mutually benefit from each other when it comes to innovation, an area in which SA has made significantly great strides,” said Dry.

Dry explained that the launch of the chamber was part of the initiatives that SA have taken in order to improve the bilateral economic relations between the two countries. This include the scoping mission that was undertaken by the dti in 2013, followed by the first trade and investment mission to Peru last year. The SA Embassy in Peru also hosted culinary weeks which sought to promote the SA food and wines in Peru.

The inaugural president of the chamber, Mr Guillermo van Oordt said the chamber would contribute significantly in increasing trade and investment between South Africa and Peru.

“The objectives of the chamber include to actively promote the interests of businesspeople from Peru and SA, to organise regular meetings for networking,  facilitate constant contact between companies of the two countries and organising bilateral trade missions,” explained van Oordt.

Caption: Ambassador of South to Peru, Ms Elsa Dry addressing businesspeople at the launch of the SA-Peru Chamber of Commerce in Lima, Peru last night, as the inaugural president, Guillermo van Oordt looks on.

Issued by The Department of Trade and Industry