I have today announced the appointment of Mr Alberto Miguel Lopez Bustillo
as Australia's Honorary Consul in Lima, with jurisdiction throughout Peru.
Mr Lopez is a Peruvian citizen, who is a graduate of the Peruvian Airforce
Academy and the Universidad del Pacifico in Lima, with a controlling interest
in a major media group in Peru.
Australian-Peruvian relations have grown encouragingly since the return
of political stability to Peru and the implementation of the Fujimori Government's
economic reform program. Peru's economic performance has put it among
the leading Latin American economies in recent years. GDP growth in 1994
was 12.9% followed by 6.9% last year. This growth, and particularly Peru's
privatisation of its minerals and energy sector, has attracted interest
from a range of Australian mining companies including BHP, CRA, Normandy
Poseidon, Xenolith Gold and Ausmelt. Australian merchandise exports to
Peru totalled approximately AUD 18 million in 1995 (AUD 21 million in 1994),
with a trade surplus of AUD 4 million in Peru's favour. Australian investment
in Peru is steadily growing and there is a trend of Australian business
people including Peru in regional business visits. In recognition of this
growing Australian commercial interest in Peru, an Investment Protection
and Promotion Agreement was signed in 1995 to provide further impetus to
Australian investors looking to develop opportunities in Peru.
Australia and Peru enjoy close cooperation on a number of regional and multilateral
issues including disarmament, and are both members of the Intergovernmental
Council of Copper Exporting Countries, the Association of Iron Ore Exporting
Countries, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, and are signatories
to the International Sugar Agreement. Peru has long been a highly popular
destination for Australian tourists. The appointment of an Australian Honorary
Consul in Lima further underlines the recent upturn of activity between
the two countries.
The Australian Consulate is located at:
Promociones Losani S A
Avenida Santa Cruz 398
San Isidro
Lima 27, Peru