Stresses AmbassadorMatute Meja of Peru in Seoul

By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik with Editors Choe Nam-suk

Ambassador Jesus Enrique Matute Meja of the Republic of Peru in Seoul said, “Korea is the fourth-largest trading partner of Peru and the trade between the two countries reached US$3.3 billion last year.”

Speaking at a recent interview with The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and two Korean media organizations, he said, “Peru's exports have been increased continuously since 2015, reaching the amount of $2.4 billion in 2018.”

Ambassador Jesus Enrique Matute Meja of the Republic of Peru presents credentials to South Korea President on April 26, 2018.

“The rising demand for raw materials, such as cooper, zinc, lead, and also liquefied natural gas, crude oil and silver,” emphasized Ambassador Matute Meja, “are natural demands for Korean Industrial sector.”

Then he emphsasized, “Nevertheless, it is important to mention the Peruvian non-traditional products that are available in the Korean market, such as banana, grape, mango and the super foods that includes the brazil nuts, quinoa, noni, cacao nibs, maca, coffee and peruvian avocados, a delicatessen for Koreans.”

“If the trend continues,” he said, “the Peruvian super foods exports would grow in this year and these kinds of products are really popular among the Koreans for their healthy characteristics and the delicious flavour.”

Ambassador Daul Matute Mejia (right) of Peru interviewed by Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media.

The he added, “Also, my Embassy has encouraged Korean trade and services companies to go and invest in Peru, especially in beauty, food, textiles, etc.”

Ambassador Matute Meja discussed a wide range of topics at the interview, including the Head of Government, tourist destinations in Peru. Details of the interview follow:

Question: What are the areas in your country where you want Korean companies to invest in and what are the areas where you wish your businessmen to invest in Korea?

Answer: Peru is interested in promote the participation of Asian companies in important infrastructure projects and public services, especially projects related to transport infrastructure (Metro, road, rail, port and airport). In this regard, it is important to mention that Korean companies are worldwide recognized by their experience and advanced technology in this sector. This can provide better opportunities to participate in the Peruvian projects, including the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects for 2019 – 2020, worth over US$10 billion. We also work in Government to Government projects.

Ambassador Daul Matute Mejia of Peru was interviewed on July 18 stressing the importance of increased cooperation between Korean and Peru.

Q: Our hearty congratulations on the National Day of your esteemed country! Please introduce in full the National Day of your country.

A: We celebrate our National Day in July, 28th, remembering the Act of the “Declaration of the Independence” that was made by General José de San Martin, in our Major Square in the downtown of Lima. From that day on, 198 years went on to consolidate and develop our Country.

This year, we celebrate the 198° Anniversary of the Independence of Peru. We are just two years away from our Bicentenary as an independent republic, and of course, it is a special day for us to commemorate and celebrate.

Public Administration Innovation Program for Latin American Countries was held in Seoul on June 6 to 15, 2019. From left are: Dr. Walter Estrada, Vice-rector of the National Engineering University of Peru (UNI), SDP Minister Alberto Hart, diplomatic advisor of the Peruvian Cooperation Agency, Ambassador Daul Matute-Mejia of Peru , Mr. Luis Alberto Estrada, Secretary General of the National Institute of Civil Defence (INDECI)

Q: Please introduce the Head of Government of your country in full, including his/her family and hobbies.

A: The President of the Republic of Peru is the Engineer Martin Vizcarra. His wife, the First Lady of Peru is Mrs. Maribel Diaz. President Vizcarra was born in Lima and was raise in the southern peruvian city of Moquegua. He has an important political career as a Regional authority. President Vizcarra visited Korea in the year 2016, when he took office as Minister of Transportation and Communications in Peru. In 2017, was designated as Ambassador of Peru in Canada. He had sworn as President of the Republic in March 23rd, 2018.

CEO Yang Sung-dong of KBS and Ambassador Daul Matute Mejia of Peru shaking hands.

Q: Please introduce the Government Minister in charge of economic cooperation and trade with Korea and other countries of the world.

A: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru is Ambassador Nestor Popolizio. He is a well known diplomat in our country with a distinguish career. He was two times Viceminister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador of Peru in Portugal and Colombia.. He recently met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea in the sidelines of an OCDE´s meeting in Paris. He is willing to visit Korea in a short time basis.

(From left) Ambassador Irineo Raul Silvero Silvagni of Paraguay, Ambassador Milton Alcides Magana Herrera of El Salvador, Ambassador Daul Matute-Mejia of Peru, Ambassador Bruno Figueroa of Mexico, Ambassador Edgardo Cuarezma Garcia of Nicaragua participated the “Import Goods Fair”, an event that took place from June 27 to 29, 2019 at the COEX convention centre in Seoul, organized by the Korean Importers Association (KOIMA).

Q: As the Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, please introduce the progress of bilateral cooperation in the economic, political and other areas so far made during your tenure of office in Korea and your view of the outlook of further development between the two countries.

A: Peru and Korea has a strong relationship. We have signed and strategic partnership association that includes a wide kinds of issues. We have a Free Trade Agreement since 2011 and both countries belong to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC). We have been working together in political matters, multilateral affairs such as climate change, cooperation, investment, cultural and touristic affairs, IT technologies, education, scholarship for Peruvian students, and so on.

Since I took office in February, 2018, I have been working in developed and strengthen the political ties with Korea, as a framework to deepen cooperation in all kind of matters. To mention just a few of them, at the beginning of the last June took place the VI Meeting of Political Consultations between Peru and Korea. In this High Level Meeting, we revised different aspect of our bilateral relation. As I mention before, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea have recently met in Paris, and they discussed a lot of matters regarding the bilateral relation.

On the other hand, I have just words of appreciation for all the Korean authorities that has received me for discuss different matters in an open and sincere manner. I am proud to call many Korean authorities that I have met, as my friends.

Honorable Ambassadors from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps. received the 2019 Friendship Amb. Award as part of the 2019 Korea Consumer Awards Ceremony, held March 11, 2019 at the Memorial Hall, National Assembly Seoul. They are: Ambassador Daul Matute Mejia of Peru (seventh from left forefront), Ambassador Juan Pablo Rodriguez Barragan of Colombia (third from left forefront), Ambassador Peniana Tagimaucia lalabalavu of Fiji (fifth from left forefront), Ambassador Damir Kusen of Croatia (forth from left forefront), Ambassador Amin Muhammad Dalhatu of Nigeria (second from left forefront).

Q: Who are the Korean companies actively contributing to the economic cooperation between the two countries.

A: Most of the Korean investments are focused in the mining sector, especially in the industries related to natural resources, minerals, oil & gas. More than 90% of the investments are made by “Chaebols” but small and medium Korean companies are also present in Peru, in manufacturing, Construction, Wholesale/Retails, Warehousing. These SME are mainly focused in fish farming, sales of cars and automotive components, seafood (giant squid) processing, computer games, lumber, among others. In the case of the fish farming companies, they also export these products to important markets, such as Korea.

Ambassador Daul Matute Mejia (forth from left) of Peru poses with The Korea Post reportorial team. They are: Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik (third from left), Vice Chairperson Choe Nam-suk (second from right), Reporter Son Da-som (second from left), Reporter Paul Kim (Do-kyun Kim), left.

Q: What is the current volume of bilateral trade, and its outlook in the next 12 months?

A: Korea is the fourth-largest trading partner of Peru. Trade between the two countries reached US$3.3 billion last year. Peru's exports have been increased continuously since 2015; reaching the amount of $2.4 billion in 2018. The rising demand for raw materials, such as cooper, zinc, lead and also liquefied natural gas, crude oil and silver are natural demands for Korean Industrial sector. Nevertheless, it is important to mention the Peruvian non-traditional products that are available in the Korean market, such as banana, grape, mango and the super foods that includes the brazil nuts, quinoa, noni, cacao nibs, maca, coffee and peruvian avocados, a delicatessen for Koreans. If the trend continues, the Peruvian super foods exports would grow in this year. These kinds of products are really popular among the Koreans for its healthy characteristics and its delicious flavour. Also, My Embassy has encouraged Korean trade and services companies to go and invest in Peru, especially in beauty, food, textiles, etc.

Totora Little Horse in Huanchaco beach.

Q: What are the areas in your country where you want Korean companies to invest in and what are the areas where you wish your businessmen to invest in Korea?

A: Peru is interested in promote the participation of Asian companies in important infrastructure projects and public services, especially projects related to transport infrastructure (Metro, road, rail, port and airport). In this regard, it is important to mention that Korean companies are worldwide recognized by their experience and advanced technology in this sector. This can provide better opportunities to participate in the Peruvian projects, including the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects for 2019 – 2020, worth over US$10 billion. We also work in Government to Government projects.

Señor de los Milagros, one of the most popular religious manifestation in the world.

Q: Korean business leaders as well as the FTAs want rest and recuperation. What are the attractive tourist destinations of your country?

A: I am glad to say that Korean tourism has increased in the last year to Peru. Of course, we have the well known Seventh World Wonder: Machu Picchu, one of the most important touristic destinations in the world. But we also have other excellent destinations in our country. As magnificent as Machu Picchu, we have the Kuelap Fortress, in the North, the magnific remains of Sipan Culture in the North Coast. In Sourthern direction from Lima we have Paracas bay and the globally famous Nazca Lines and you can visit also the Huacachina Lake, the biggest Oasis in South America. On the other hand, Korean people can visit the Amazon Jungle and contemplate the majestic Amazon River and all its surroundings. Peru is a contrast of History, Nature, and leisure and Korean people will enjoy that.

Scissors Dance performed by inhabitants of Quechua villages and communities in the south-central Andes of Peru.

Q: Please introduce yourself fully for the readers of the five media outlets (3 in English and 2 in Korean).

A: My name is Ambassador Daul Matute Mejía, senior diplomatic official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, with more than 40 years of experience working for my country as a Diplomat. I´ve been posted as Ambassador in South Africa, and previously I was appointed to Washington, Sweden and different High Level responsibilities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru. I am very proud to be Ambassador in this beautiful, vibrant and developed country.

Salar of Maras in Peru.

Q: Please add whatever other details that we might have left out from our questionnaire.

A: First of all, I want to thank Korea Post and chairman Lee for this Interview that allows me to introduce my country to the Korean Public in this special occasion. Also, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Korean People who has welcomed my fellow countrymen in Korea. We have and small but significative community of Peruvians in Korean that are increasing, day by day, most of all, students who come to Korea to study and know more about its culture. This is too a significant prove of the friendship between our nations.

Last but not least, I want to congratulate the South Korea government, especially the President Moon Jae-in, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kang Kyung-wha, for advances made in the peace process in the peninsula.

Peruvian Caballo de Paso.
Peruvian Amazonia, a Amazon rainforest spread from east of Andes to the borders of Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia.
Peru rainbow mountains found in the Andes mountains of Peru.
Nazca Lines found in southern Peru.
Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca citadel, located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru.
A mannequin of Lord of Sipa, the name given to the first of several Moche mummies found at Huaca Rajada, Sipán, Peru.
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