Message from Ralph Jansen, Ambassador, Canadian Embassy, Lima
Message from Ralph Jansen, Ambassador, Canadian Embassy, Lima
Dear Peruvian Canadian Chamber of Commerce members, it is an honor for me to appear in this end-of-year newsletter! Last year marked a very special year for the long-standing relationship between Canada and Peru: marking the 75th anniversary of our bilateral relations in addition to 10 years of our Free Trade Agreement.
The FTA has not only supported the exponential growth of our bilateral commercial exchange but also provided preferential market access and clear trading rules for Canadian exporters. As you know, Canada has a solid commercial relationship with Peru; Peru being Canada’s second-largest bilateral trading partner in South America, and also our second-largest destination for Canadian direct investment in the region. We are also well integrated through partnerships in multilateral economic a such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – still pending ratification and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC). We also continue to carry on trade negotiations with the Pacific Alliance.
Canada and Peru both share diverse geographies, remote and indigenous communities, but most of all, we are both blessed with an abundance of natural resources and we strive to develop them responsibly. Our relationship is multifaceted and goes beyond collaboration on commercial interests; we also share a mutual commitment to the values of democracy, human rights, multilateralism, and open markets.
This year has brought us unprecedented circumstances, but we took this opportunity to unite in the face of global challenges. Canada is honored to work alongside Peru to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Together we are doing everything possible to prevent, detect and respond to the pandemic, and to support those who have been most affected. As we continue to evolve together, we have to recognize the challenges we all faced this year. I commend companies for being so creative in this new, uncertain, and transitional work environment. We have seen many innovative ways of moving forward in all of this and I want to congratulate all of you for that!
The new year will certainly bring its share of challenges but we will be better prepared to face them together. Do not forget that we are here to support your business development in Peru, along with our great team of Trade Commissioners, so do not hesitate to contact us.
A special thank you to the Chamber for its role in advancing the relationship between our two wonderful countries, and especially to Andres Recalde as former President for all his energy and commitment and to Arturo Ruiz, the new President, for his continuing leadership!
Happy holidays, stay safe!