Peru has launched a National Industrial Development Plan (PNDI) to boost production of value-added products, including fruits and vegetables, in some of the country’s most remote areas in a bid to raise living standards amongst local people.
According to Alfonso Velasquez, CEO of the government-run social-economic programme Sierra Exportadora, the plan is set to create 23,000 new jobs in the first half of 2014 and generate sales of US$200m through the development of more than 300 business plans. “The agency’s goal is to assure the development of the PNDI in these areas with a rapid-impact action in favour of their economies,” he told El Peruano.
Part of the plan involves setting up a permanent training programme in rural schools and some universities in partnership with Agrobanco.
Velasquez said the scheme would lead to standardised production and give growers access to export markets. The agency also works with local business associations to support them with training and technical assistance for increase their competitiveness.
