Sharma during his bilateral meeting with the Peruvian minister said that both the countries should actively work together for enhancing economic cooperation. The most important sectors that can be tapped are minerals, hydrocarbons, engineering, IT, science & technology.

Sharma mentioned that realizing the importance of the Latin America and Caribbean, India had initiated a programme called “FOCUS: LAC” which provides a number of incentives and financial assistance for supporting and encouraging Indian exporters and companies to boost our trade to the LAC region. Peru is a major partner in this region.

At present Peru is India’s eight largest trading partners in the Latin America. The total bilateral trade between the two countries in 2009-10 was approximately $11 million. India’s exports to Peru were $274.28 million and imports from Peru were $136.62 million. Although India’s trade with Peru was on the lower side, the total trade had increased by approximately 283% from $107.32 million in 2005-06 to $411 million in 2009-10.

India’s exports to Peru mainly comprise of drugs & pharmaceuticals, organic and inorganic chemicals, cosmetics and toiletries, rubber products, bicycles, motorcycles, machinery and instruments, transport equipment, textiles including readymade garments, jute manufactures, handicrafts. India’s main items of imports from Peru are refined copper wires and minerals, zinc concentrates and manufactures, fish meal, tanning material, wood and wood products.

The Peruvian minister in his discussions with the Indian Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed. Emphasised the need to strengthen co-operation in the tourism sector between the two countries.

Referring to the low tourist traffic between the two countries, both the leaders stressed the need for a better connectivity between the two countries. Ahmed said that exchange of visits of travel trade, media and opinion makers would help in strengthening people to people contact between India and Peru. He said holding road shows, food and cultural festivals in each other’s countries would help in strengthening the tourism ties.

Dr Ferreyros lauded the Incredible India campaign and informed that Peru will also soon launch a country branding campaign to attract tourists and investment. He said better trade relations between India and Peru would lead to increase in tourist traffic. He said Peru was trying to promote itself as a destination for shooting of films and expressed the hope that Indian film industry will take note of its scenic beauty.