On his third visit to Peru in less than two years, Mark Menzies MP, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru, celebrated over 5 days a number of milestones in the bilateral relationship between Peru and the UK.
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Alongside Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra and Lima Mayor Jorge Muñoz among other dignitaries, Mr Menzies represented the UK at the spectacular opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games on 26 July to celebrate the UK’s key role as Peru’s main delivery partner.
Peru and the UK signed a government-to-government agreement in 2017 to help the Lima 2019 Organising Committee deliver the games.
The Pan American and Parapan American Games are the world’s fourth largest sports competition and Peru’s first time hosting an event of this size.
Earlier that day, Mark Menzies met with the Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador del Solar and the Minister of Economy and Finance Carlos Oliva where they agreed to begin negotiations for a double taxation agreement in December 2019.
This Agreement will provide greater legal security and reduce the cost of doing business between our two countries.
They also discussed progress on the Joint Infrastructure Task Force set up last year and future cooperation to improve public transport in Lima.
Separately, Mr Menzies discussed future plans for collaboration with the new urban transport authority for Lima and Callao (ATU) to help tackle Lima’s notorious traffic issues.
In his respective meetings with the Prime Minister and the Vice minister of Trade, Sayuri Bayona, Mr Menzies hailed the recently concluded free trade continuity agreement between the UK, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The agreement was signed in Quito, Ecuador, on 15 May this year and will guarantee the continued free flow of goods between the UK and the Andean countries regardless of the outcome of Brexit on 31 October.
Mr Menzies attended the opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Games at the National Stadium alongside President Vizcarra and Lima Mayor Jorge Muñoz.
Also representing the UK at the event were British Ambassador Kate Harrisson, DIT Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer, Michael Charlton, DIT Deputy Director, Kelly Allen, and DIT Lima Director Francine Torbett.
At a GREAT Global Sports seminar attended by future host nations including Chile, Mr Menzies focussed on the legacy of the Lima Games.
He also celebrated UK culture at the Games’ cultural exhibition space, including activities with Paddington bear and a Freddie Mercury impersonator, as well as information on Chevening and a Quidditch tournament.
The Newton Fund in Peru organised a photo exhibition of its science and innovation projects in Peru. ■