Many Peruvian firms excited to develop business in HK - Lee

Wallis Wang

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had a taste of local life and learned about Peruvian culture after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Lima.

During two lunch sessions, Lee and his team had Peruvian sandwiches - known as sanguches - and purple corn juice called chicha morada at a restaurant with the ambassador of the diplomatic service in Peru, Maria Eugenia Chiozza Bruce de De Zela.

On Facebook, Lee said he visited a market where he saw a great variety of fruits and farming products rarely found in Hong Kong, including pacae, lucuma, granadilla and purple corn.

"After the signing of the free-trade agreement with Peru, I hope more Peruvian farming products will be exported to Hong Kong," he said. "Many Peruvian companies are enthusiastic about developing businesses in Hong Kong."

Lee said Hong Kong last year imported HK$1.69 billion worth of goods from Peru, primarily vegetables and fruits.

He said Hong Kong has been actively seeking to expand its network covered by a free-trade agreement to secure favorable conditions for goods and services to enter the international markets.

"The signing of the FTA between Hong Kong and Peru will provide a more transparent and positive platform for investors in Hong Kong and Peru to explore new opportunities," Lee said.

Meanwhile, Sunny Ho Lap-kee, executive director of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council, said the cooperation with Peru will help the city further consolidate its shipping advantages.

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming said most of Peru's imports of mainland goods are re-exported through North America currently, but some of the transit may relocate to Hong Kong in the future following the free trade agreement.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com