Peru as a Regional Hub for Trade Facilitation and Logistics Services: Strategic Considerations

Abstract

Peru has been implementing a policy of opening up and liberalizing trade aimed at integrating the country into the global economy with a view to improving the well-being of the population and benefiting from international market specialization. In spite of such trade policy assertiveness, the country continues to face many pending challenges in developmental policies. One such challenge relates to trade facilitation, logistics, and transport facilitation. As import tariffs have been reduced, border management and behind the border measures are becoming much more important for Peruvian competitiveness in both internal and external markets. Apart from the purpose of incorporating Peruvian production to the international economy, Peru aims to be a hub in the Southern Cone region to serve the Asian Pacific Rim markets. To achieve both goals Peru has to design a national and sub-regional policy which includes elements of trade facilitation and transport facilitation. This plan should be coherent and aligned with the country’s and the region’s present and future integration schemes.