Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Luis Miguel Castilla, former economy and finance minister of Peru and former ambassador of Peru to the United States, currently serves as executive director of Videnza Instituto, a public policy think tank in Lima, Peru. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
编者按：“决策者”是一个全球平台，供决策者分享他们对当今世界重大事件的见解。本文作者是秘鲁前经济和财政部长、前驻美大使，现任秘鲁利马公共政策智库Videnza Instituto执行主任路易斯·米格尔·卡斯蒂亚。文章仅代表作者观点，而非本台观点。
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) provides a unique platform for its 21 member economies to drive inclusive and sustainable growth through trade and cooperation. As a member of APEC since 1998, Peru has consistently leveraged its role within the organization to advance its own economic priorities, while also contributing to the bloc's goals of free trade and economic integration. The forum represents an excellent example of effective public private partnerships (PPP) to boost growth and generate opportunities.
亚太经济合作组织（APEC）为其21个成员经济体提供了一个独一无二的平台，通过贸易与合作推动具有包容性的可持续经济增长。自1998年加入APEC以来，秘鲁积极发挥作用，不仅推动实现自身的经济目标，同时也为实现APEC的自由贸易和经济一体化目标贡献力量。APEC已成为政府和社会资本合作（PPP）的典范，在促进发展的同时，不断创造新机遇。
Peru has a strategic chance to address important issues at this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, including accelerating digitalization and strengthening bilateral connections within the world's fastest-growing area. During its pro-tempore presidency, Peru has prioritized an agenda to "empower, include and grow" by laying out a set of policies for enhanced Asia-Pacific basin cooperation.
今年在利马举行的亚太经合组织领导人非正式会议，为集中探讨加速数字化进程、在全球增长最快区域加强双边关系等重大议题提供了一个重要契机。作为今年的轮值主席国，秘鲁设定了以“赋能、包容与增长”为核心的议程，提出了一整套促进亚太区域更紧密合作的政策。
Peru's position within APEC: A gateway to the Asia-Pacific
秘鲁在APEC中的定位：亚太门户
Peru joined APEC recognizing the organization as a strategic vehicle for integrating into the global economy and is hosting the forum for the third time. With two-thirds of Peru's trade in goods being with APEC economies, APEC membership has been instrumental in expanding trade and investment. Member economies, such as China, Japan, and the United States, are among Peru's largest trading partners, collectively accounting for over $30 billion in trade.
当初秘鲁加入APEC，便视其为融入全球经济的重要桥梁。如今，秘鲁已经是第三次主办APEC会议。APEC成员经济体占秘鲁对外货物贸易总量的三分之二，APEC对扩大秘鲁的贸易与投资起到了至关重要的作用。中国、日本、美国等主要成员均为秘鲁的重要贸易伙伴，年贸易额超过300亿美元。
Moreover, Peru has used APEC as a platform to pursue free trade agreements (FTAs) with other economies. The Peruvian government expects to sign new bilateral agreements with Indonesia and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region during the upcoming meeting. These agreements have significantly enhanced market access for Peruvian goods, especially from its agricultural, mining, and fishery sectors, aligning with the country's priorities for economic diversification and export growth. In fact, Peru's exports have grown tenfold since it joined APEC 26 years ago.
不仅如此，秘鲁还借助APEC平台，积极推进与其他经济体的自由贸易协定。秘鲁政府计划在即将召开的APEC会议上与印尼和中国的香港特别行政区签署新的双边自由贸易协定，进一步拓宽秘鲁商品的市场，特别是在农产品、矿产和渔业领域。这些协议的内容十分契合秘鲁追求经济多元化和出口增长的目标。事实上，自26年前加入APEC以来，秘鲁的出口总额已经增长了十倍。
Peru-China cooperation within APEC
秘中两国在APEC框架内的合作
China, as Peru's top trading partner and one of the largest foreign investors, plays a central role in Peru's APEC strategy. Peruvian exports to China amounted to $23.2 billion in 2023 (accounting for 36 percent of total exports), with Chinese investments focused primarily on mining, infrastructure, and energy. Peru, as the second top copper producer after Chile, is expected to play a critical role as supplier of critical metals to cater to global demand as energy transition policies are pursued towards reducing carbon imprint.
中国作为秘鲁最大的贸易伙伴和主要外资来源国，是秘鲁APEC战略的核心支柱。2023年，秘鲁对华出口额达232亿美元，占其出口总额的36%，而中国在秘鲁的投资主要集中于矿业、基础设施和能源等领域。作为全球第二大铜生产国（仅次于智利），秘鲁在全球能源转型与减少碳足迹的背景下，肩负着为全球供应重要金属的重任。
As Peru strengthens its environmental policies, China has become an important partner in supporting green initiatives, such as clean energy investments and sustainable mining practices. Through APEC, Peru seeks to further engage China on green financing and technology sharing to achieve mutual environmental goals.
随着秘鲁不断强化环保政策，中国也成为其绿色发展的重要合作伙伴，在清洁能源投资和可持续采矿等方面给予大力支持。通过APEC平台，秘鲁希望进一步深化与中国的合作，推动绿色融资和技术共享，实现双方在环保领域的共同目标。
In this regard, Peru's relationship with China is crucial for its growth prospects, and APEC offers a framework to strengthen this partnership. During President Xi Jinping's visit to Lima, an enhanced FTA between both countries is expected to be signed (building upon the existing 2010 agreement). Peru aims to explore new areas of cooperation with China, particularly in improving supply chain resilience. Moreover, technological cooperation between the two economies can support Peru's digital transformation goals. China's advances in digital payments, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence can serve as valuable models for Peru, which is working to modernize its own digital infrastructure.
就上述方面而言，秘中关系对秘鲁的经济发展前景至关重要，而APEC则为双方深化合作提供了框架。在习近平主席访秘期间，双方预计将签署升级版的自由贸易协定，在2010年协定的基础上拓展更广泛的合作空间。秘鲁希望借此契机，与中国探索新的合作领域，特别是在增强供应链韧性方面的合作。此外，两国的技术合作也将助力秘鲁的数字化转型。中国在数字支付、电子商务和人工智能等领域的先进经验，能够为秘鲁的数字基础设施现代化提供宝贵的借鉴。
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 28, 2024. /Xinhua
Key economic priorities: Trade, digital transformation and sustainability
核心经济议题：贸易、数字化转型与可持续发展
Peru's economic strategy has increasingly focused on diversifying exports beyond traditional mining products to include non-traditional exports, such as agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing. Agricultural exports alone, including products like grapes, avocados, and blueberries, reached $10.5 billion in 2023, increasing its value by more than 10 times since 2000. Peru is pursing agreements to keep tariffs and non-tariff barriers low and pushing for policies that simplify market access for its non-traditional goods.
秘鲁的经济战略日益注重出口多元化，逐渐从传统的矿产出口扩展到农业、纺织和制造业等非传统领域商品的出口。2023年，秘鲁农业出口额达到105亿美元，涵盖葡萄、牛油果和蓝莓等产品，自2000年以来增长逾十倍。秘鲁寻求通过签订贸易协议来降低关税和非关税壁垒，推动非传统商品海外市场准入的政策简化。
Trade facilitation through APEC has been key to reducing transaction costs, simplifying customs procedures, and promoting regulatory coherence. Between 2004 and 2022, APEC-wide trade facilitation reforms resulted in an average cost reduction of 5 percent per trade transaction, directly benefiting Peru's export-driven sectors. Moreover, Peru supports policies that address post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, which continue to impact trade.
APEC平台提供的贸易便利化措施有效降低了交易成本，简化了海关手续，促进了监管协同。2004年至2022年间，APEC内部的贸易便利化改革使平均每笔交易成本降低了5%，直接惠及秘鲁的出口型行业。此外，秘鲁还积极应对疫情后供应链中断带来的挑战，减少对贸易的负面影响。
Recognizing the importance of the digital economy in driving competitiveness, Peru is promoting initiatives within APEC that encourage digital innovation, support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and enhance e-commerce. This is particularly relevant given that 99 percent of Peruvian firms are SMEs, and APEC's digital inclusion policies provide these businesses with tools to compete more effectively on a global scale. This remains a major challenge in view of the informal nature of these firms: Around 85 percent of the SMEs are informal in Peru and constrain productivity growth. During Peru's APEC presidency, it promoted discussions among the membership to achieve higher economic formality and drafted a blueprint based on successful country experiences to attain higher formalization and productivity.
鉴于数字经济对提升国家竞争力的关键作用，秘鲁在APEC框架下积极倡导数字创新，支持中小企业和电子商务的发展。特别值得一提的是，秘鲁99%的企业都是中小企业，APEC的数字融合政策为这些企业提供了有效工具，能帮助它们更好地参与全球竞争。然而，这一进程也伴随着不小的挑战，秘鲁中小企业中约85%属于非正规经济范畴，严重制约了生产力的提升。在担任APEC轮值主席国期间，秘鲁推动了各成员国就实现更高程度经济正规化进行讨论，并根据各国成功经验起草了实现更高程度经济正规化和生产力的蓝图。
APEC member economies included in the first edition of the World Bank's Business-Ready set higher non-wage labor costs, to be borne by employers, in contrast to high-income economies. APEC membership agreed that reforming these regulations is indispensable to improving labor market competitiveness.
根据世界银行发布的首版《营商环境成熟度报告》，跟高收入经济体相比，部分APEC成员中需由雇主承担的非工资劳动力成本甚至更高。APEC成员经济体一致认为，优化这些法规是提高劳动力市场竞争力的当务之急。
Sustainable development remains a core pillar of APEC's agenda. Given that 22 percent of its GDP is accounted by extractive industries, Peru recognizes the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Through APEC, it aims to advance policies that address climate change, promote sustainable fishing practices, and support renewable energy. Peru is expected to advocate for APEC-wide commitments to lower emissions and increase investments in green technology, aligning with its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
可持续发展始终是APEC的一项核心议程。由于采掘业在秘鲁经济中的占比约为22%，因此秘鲁深知在经济增长与环境保护之间保持平衡的重要性。通过APEC平台，秘鲁旨在大力推动制定气候变化应对政策，倡导可持续渔业，支持可再生能源发展。秘鲁将推动APEC各成员共同承诺减少碳排放、加大绿色科技投资，力求与其2030年前减排30%的目标保持一致。
In conclusion, APEC 2024 represents an excellent opportunity for Peru as it seeks to become a bridge between Latin America and Asia. Its pragmatic agenda underscores the importance of promoting trade liberalization, enhancing digital capabilities, and pursuing sustainable growth. These goals, combined with a robust focus on multilateralism and collaboration with key partners like China, position Peru as an advocate for shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Peru rejects protectionist policies as it fully embraces stronger ties with its partners as vehicles to achieve shared prosperity for its citizens.
总的来看，2024年的APEC会议为秘鲁提供了绝佳的机遇，让其在拉美与亚洲之间架起桥梁。大会议程丰富且务实，聚焦于推动贸易自由化、提升数字化能力和促进可持续发展。在推动实现这些目标的基础上，通过强调多边主义以及与中国等关键伙伴的深度协作，秘鲁有望在亚太地区共同繁荣的进程中发挥重要作用。秘鲁坚决反对保护主义政策，积极寻求加深与各国的伙伴关系，以实现共同发展，造福本国人民。
