LIMA, Peru – During the 31st APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra at the Lima Convention Center.
Both leaders agreed to enhance comprehensive cooperation, aiming to complete the Thailand-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2025, with 70% of negotiations already concluded. They expressed confidence that the FTA would strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn praised Peru’s recent inauguration of Chancay Port, recognizing its strategic role as a trade gateway in Latin America. She also highlighted Thailand’s Land Bridge Project, underscoring its potential to establish Thailand as a key ASEAN trade hub for Latin American nations. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation, particularly within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with Thailand keen to benefit from Peru’s experiences.
The Thai Prime Minister invited Peruvian investment in Thailand, especially in sectors such as health foods and superfoods, where Peru holds expertise aligned with Thailand’s target industries. She also noted the popularity of Thai cultural exports in Peru, including Thai cuisine, films, series, and music, proposing collaboration in the fashion sector by merging Peruvian alpaca wool with Thai silk.
The Peruvian President thanked Thailand for its support of Peru’s APEC chairmanship and expressed her readiness to advance both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties through platforms like ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance. (NNT)
