The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is this week leading an agriculture trade and investment mission to Peru to develop business ties and explore opportunities for joint ventures.

The 20-strong delegation of US companies will meet with 150 Peruvian and Ecuadorean entrepreneurs and buyers between 31 January and 3 February, according to a USDA press release.

“Peru and Ecuador are important US trade partners,” explained the USDA’s Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse.

“Both countries have experienced a decade of political, social and economic change that has created a dynamic environment for economic growth.

“Both are keen on expanding trade and investment with the United States, as well as with other Pacific-Rim countries through the Trans-Pacific Partnership to which the United States is a party.

“This mission provides an excellent opportunity for US agribusinesses to make contacts, exchange information, and sign sales agreements,” Mr Scuse said.

The 20 small and large US companies will meet face-to-face with Peruvian and Ecuadorian producers, importers, buyers, distributors, and investors to develop trade relationships, propose joint activities, and learn best practices for working with one another.

Since full implementation of the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement in February 2009, the USDA said two-way agricultural, fish and forest trade has grown 31 per cent from US$1.4bn in fiscal year 2009 to US$1.8bn in fiscal 2010.

Two-way agricultural, fish and forest trade with Ecuador has remained relatively steady at US$1.8bn in fiscal 2010 compared with US$1.7bi in fiscal 2009, according to the USDA.

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