Living in Peru : your everyday companion

By Diana P. Olano

Late last year, President Alan Garcia declared 2008 as the "Year of the World Summits in Peru". What the Chief of State was referring to were the two global conferences Peru would play host to later this year: The Vth European Union-Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit to be held in May and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum to be held in November. The fact that these two significant meetings are taking place here signify new political and economic recognition and possibilities for Peru that could lead the country on a path away from its third-world country status and towards success in the technologically advanced and prosperous first-world.

Both summits are meant to open political dialogue between the participating countries, while emphasizing the importance of their international relations. The EU-LAC summit, held on May 16 and 17 in Lima, will focus on two themes: The promotion of social cohesion, such as poverty alleviation; and sustainable development, such as the protection of the environment. The APEC forum, held between November 16 and 23 also in Lima, has "A new commitment to the development of the Asia-Pacific" as its theme, focusing on strengthening the focus on personal and economic growth of the participating economies.

The European Union, the 27 member political and economic community that formed after the second world war, has a mission to offer peace, prosperity and freedom to its 495 million citizens. The legislative bodies that run the union see that the "Four Freedoms" guaranteed by the European Union Law--freedom of movement of people, goods, services and capital--are carried out.

APEC, "a mechanism of inter-governmental and regional dialogue", has a mission "to promote free trade, investment and economic and technical cooperation among its members." Peru became a full member of cooperation in 1998, with it's participation beginning that November at the Meeting of Ministers in Malaysia. Peru is the only member of the Andean community that is also a member of APEC. In November of 2003, Peru was elected as the host-country for the XVI APEC Summit in 2008. According to the official APEC website, "APEC represents the greatest challenge for Peru to raise the standards of its economy to that of the Asia-Pacific economies in terms of efficiency and competitiveness," along with emphasizing the importance of "developing trade, investment and tourism."

If it seems that President Garcia is making a big deal of these two summits, it's because they are. While your average Peruvian citizen may not know or care that the political and economic leaders of 21 prominent Asian-Pacific country's are attending two meetings hosted by Peru, those involved in the political and economic world in Peru know better. They know that because of the APEC and EU-LAC summits, every citizen must take part in promoting investment, trade, etc.  in Peru. The country's economy has grown an average of 5.7% per year, for the last five years. You can bet our representatives during the summits will make the world leaders know this fact.

Aside from putting Peru in the world's political spotlight, these summits will be highly beneficial to the tourism industry in this country. The Minister of Exterior Commerce and Tourism, Mercedes Aráoz, recently announced that the APEC summit, which will bring in thousands of delegates, presidents, ministers, etc. from the 21 member economies, is estimated to bring in more than 20 million dollars on tourism alone. The member economies will all be spending more than 500 dollars a day on things such as lodging, transportation and food for the days they visit Peru for their meetings. The minister, who gave Korea and Vietnam as examples of countries who benefited from world summits held in the country, said Peru could expect the same kind of revenue.

The strikes and protests in Cusco in recent weeks have been particularly damaging because it cost that some of the APEC meetings be moved to Lima and Callao. However, not all have been cancelled. It would be a shame and an opportunity wasted if international delegates weren't able to see our country's most recognizable city. Not only for possible investment opportunities, but also for them to learn about Peruvian culture. These meetings are just as important for Peru's economic status, as it is for it's recognition as a country with a rich, cultural heritage.

Peruvians should look at 2008 as the year when things can finally turn around. When the world will finally take a serious look at this country ready to host two of the most important international summits - a country on the verge of transformation.