PERU, South America’s third-largest country, expects to sign a commercial agreement with India in the near future which will boost trade between the two countries in areas such as mining, steel and iron ore, ships and engines, textiles and pharmaceuticals, said Marco Hurtado, the vice-president of the Peru-India Chambers of Commerce.

A Ramesh, the Indian Ambassador designate to Peru and Bolivia, said Peru would like to import information technology, skill development, jewellery and jewellery designing from India. India currently exports a wide range of goods to Peru like drugs and pharmaceuticals, two-wheelers, automobile parts, rubber tyres, textile and readymade garments, and iron and steel products, he added.

Peru is also keen to attract Indian investments in its mining sector which constitutes more than half of Peruvian exports. Its natural resources include copper, natural gas, gold, zinc, silver, iron and petroleum. Bilateral trade between India and Peru has risen from $82 million in 2001 to $190 million in 2005.