Arequipa strengthens its leadership as The most dynamic export economy in the South Peru added shipments worth US$5,675 million between January and September 2025. Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Teresa Meira highlighted this performance during her participation in the “Export Dreams” meeting organized by the Exporters Association (Addex), where the progress and challenges facing enhancing regional supply were presented.
The official stressed that the transitional government headed by Jose Jerry seeks to accelerate the pace of the economic push in the regions, with a focus on Micro, small and medium enterprises. According to him, this work is based on three strategic axes aimed at making better use of international agreements, enhancing business preparation and facilitating access to tools that increase competitiveness.
Mira noted that the country has 23 trade agreements in force with 58 economies, a number that will rise to 25 with the entry into force of the treaties with Guatemala and Hong Kong. He added that talks with India and El Salvador are still ongoing, while in December, negotiations will begin on the first trade agreement with a Middle Eastern partner: the United Arab Emirates. He also specified that the agreement with Indonesia was signed in August 2025It is scheduled to enter into force during the first half of 2026.
Within the framework of capacity building, the Minister highlighted the completion of the second phase Market Diversification Forum In Arequipa, an event that brought together more than 300 micro, small and medium enterprises. During this day, companies had access to technical advice, training and business meetings with international buyers, essential tools for expanding their presence in new destinations.
owner Ministor It was reported that in 2026 the third phase of the Program to Support Internationalization (PAI) will be launched, which will allocate an amount of S$45 million to co-finance business projects. The amounts will range from 115,000 Singaporeans to 330,000 Singaporeans, depending on the degree of progress in each initiative aimed at entering or strengthening foreign markets.
Finally, it was announced in December Multi-sectoral national foreign trade policy Until 2040. This tool will set the stage for improving the use of trade agreements, improving logistical efficiency and encouraging a more diversified export offer in the coming years.
region Arequipa It has an export basket that strongly combines traditional mining with a growing commitment to agro-industry and light manufacturing. According to the latest reports, more than 90% of its shipments abroad correspond to traditional products, especially metals such as copper, which in 2024 reached approximately 3,457 million US dollars, followed by silver and other metals.
In the non-traditional sector Arequipa About US$222.9 million in exports were recorded during 2024, highlighted by fresh grapes, alpaca fibers and textile products derived from them. Alpaca fibre, in particular, has a certain weight, accounting for about 59% of the region’s non-traditional exports.
he Agricultural export sector In the southern region – including Arequipa– He also showed remarkable performance. In the first half of 2025, foreign sales increased by about 24%, driven in particular by grapes, whose exports increased by about 44%, and avocados, which increased by about 18%. These figures reflect that despite the dominance of mining, the region continues to expand and diversify its exportable offer.
About The Author
