His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani started a state visit to the Republic of Peru Tuesday. The visit is expected to be a milestone in the history of relations between the two countries and the friendly peoples and will push ties towards broader horizons of strategic partnership and co-operation in various fields.
The Amir and President Martin Alberto Vizcarra of Peru are expected to discuss ways of enhancing relations and bilateral co-operation as well as exchange views on various regional and international issues of common concern.
The visit reflects the Amir's keenness to open new horizons for the Qatari economy to serve the country's economic plans and ambitious goals in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, in addition to building strong ties with the various countries and peoples of the world.
The relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Peru are characterised by continuous growth in various political, commercial, investment and cultural fields, based on several agreements signed between them, as well as official visits at various levels.
In the framework of reciprocal visits between the two friendly countries, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani visited Peru in February 2013.
On February 20, 2014, Peru's then president Ollanta Humala visited Qatar during which he held talks with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on bilateral relations and means of boosting them, as well as on a number of issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on economic, trade, investment and technical co-operation, and a co-operation agreement in the field of culture as well as a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Olympic Committee and Peruvian Olympic Committee in the field of sports.
The State of Qatar and the Republic of Peru signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding, including an agreement on co-operation in the legal field, an agreement on joint co-operation and news exchange, a memorandum of understanding for political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries and a memorandum of understanding in the field of education, higher education and scientific research, a memorandum of understanding in the field of mining and a memorandum of understanding between the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries, as well as a memorandum of understanding on investment co-operation.
In May, a political consultation between the two foreign ministries was held in Lima, the capital of Peru, during which the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to support and develop them were discussed, in addition to a number of issues and topics of common interest.
Diplomatic relations between Qatar and Peru date back to 1989, and the Peruvian embassy was inaugurated in Doha in 2011.
Qatar opened its embassy in Lima in 2012.
In 2013, the Qatari-Peruvian Parliamentary Friendship Association was inaugurated to deepen the diplomatic role and friendly relations between the two countries.
Peru is located on the west coast of South America, with an area of about one 1,285,216 km2, and an estimated population of about 31mn according to last year's statistics.
Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid lowland coastal region, the central high sierra of the Andes, the dense forest of the Amazon, with tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil.
A wide range of important mineral resources are found in the mountainous and coastal areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds.
Peru has returned to the path of accelerated economic growth during the first months of the administration of President Martin Alberto Vizcarra, where there has been a rebound in public and private investment and a steady improvement in the financial situation.
Measures have been put in place to raise the competitiveness and quality of life of Peruvians.
During this period, the government has laid the groundwork for a competitive and sustainable economic growth aimed at bridging infrastructure gaps, thus ensuring access to high-quality public services and developing diversified productive potential in all regions of the country.
Economic activity in Peru increased by 5.4% in the second quarter of 2018, the highest rate since 2013, the national economy is expected to grow by 4.0% in 2018, the highest growth rate among a number of countries in that region.
In the framework of mining projects, three major companies began operations in the country this year, boosting the start of the new mining cycle.
The three projects amount to about $9bn and will create between 15,000 and 17,000 jobs.
Exports in Peru have surpassed $28bn since the beginning of this year until July, an increase of 18% over the same period in 2017.
The value will rise in 2018, reaching about $58bn.
Peru is expected to attract 8% of global investment in mineral exploration projects by 2021, confirming investors' interest in the country and the importance of its mining resources.
