MANILA -- The Philippines and Peru agreed to strengthen their partnership on various areas as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed Peru’s non-resident ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday.

In accepting the credentials of Peruvian Ambassador Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán in Malacañang, the President said that the Philippines and Peru should collaborate further to face different challenges particularly as the world recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is imperative that we all work together. No matter how big or rich or strong a country is, I don’t think there is a single country that can manage this by themselves,” the President said, who also met earlier Ethiopian non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines, Dessie Dalkie Dukamo.

Simply because of the way we operate, the way we work, the way we live. We are dependent on many things outside of our own country. So, we should really… I think that’s one of the lessons that COVID taught us.”

The pandemic disrupted the food supply chain as well as other essential commodities and countries must continue to look for new ways of doing business, he pointed.

“We can continue to do what we did before but we still have to find new ways. And I know that these partnerships that we build with our friends around the world will always benefit to both – mutually beneficial to our countries. And I hope that’s what we can do now,” he said.

In response, Bazán agreed with the President, stressing that, in an interconnected world, nations need to work together to be more effective in tackling global challenges.

“Also, the Philippines is a very important trade partner for us in the region. We are really looking forward to deepening that relationship,” she said, noting the South American country’s significant trade with the Philippines last year.

“You’re a model for us in the sense that you are already exporting added value products that is something that… We are mostly exporting raw materials.”

Like the Philippines, Peru, she said, has a very important agribusiness sector and has been “able to introduce grapes, and avocado and we would love to bring back our grapes to the Philippines.”

Peru, along with Chile, Colombia and Mexico, maintain a sub-corporation mechanism with the Association if Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), wherein the Philippines is a very important member, Bazan said, noting that her country and the Philippines face common issues such sustainable and inclusive development, technology, innovation, climate change, and education.

Despite rapid development elsewhere, she said, Latin America is still a region to be explored. “I think there is a big potential to keep working on.”

Beyond the history of their friendship, the Philippines and Peru have regularly supported each other in various multilateral fora, whether in the UN, the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), or through initiatives in the APEC-Pacific Alliance and ASEAN-Pacific Alliance dialogues. Peru is hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit next year.

Bazan’s appointment as new envoy to the Philippines is timely as the two countries celebrate an important milestone next year—the 50th anniversary of the establishment of (their) diplomatic relations which signifies the vitality and warmth of their longstanding friendship.

Prior to her designation as envoy to the Philippines, Bazán served as ambassador and Director General of Asia and Oceania from 2020 to 2022.

She also became Peru’s minister, Director of North America, Directorate General of America from 2017 to 2020.

Being former Spanish colonies, the Philippines and Peru have similarities in religion, traditions, culture, values, and cuisine.

The two nations established diplomatic relations on November 30, 1974, with the Philippines setting up its embassy in Lima in 1982, and Peru establishing its mission in Manila in 1980.

Last year, the Philippines exports to Peru reached US$36.3 million while its imports were recorded at US$2.9 million. Its main exports to the South American country include electronic products, tuna, other manufactures, non-metallic mineral manufactures, and chemicals.

Metalliferous ores and metal scrap, non-ferrous metal, feeding stuff for animals, metal products, articles of apparel and accessories are the country’s main imports from Peru.

Among the areas for investment promotion in Peru are manufacturing (electronics, energy sector products, food/agribusiness, aerospace), infrastructure, and energy. (PND)