If Peru wants a free-trade partner, local officials are working to make sure they consider Michigan first.
Independence Township Trustee Dan Kelly met with Otilio Fernando Chaparro Tejada of Peru and Jose Aliaga, vice chairman of Michigan Republican National Hispanic Assembly, June 15 to talk about a free trade agreement between Peru and the United States, specifically Michigan.
‘I came to sign international agreements, but I also understand Michigan is an industry state, Florida is a vacation, New York is the banks, Washington D.C is the capital, Hollywood is in California, and here is General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler,? said Tejada. ‘We know Michigan is the state of innovation, new technologies
Tejada is executive president of Sencico, a construction company in Peru. Sencinco helps college students get jobs in many different fields.
‘We prepare students for building pipe for natural gas, vocations, building houses, building electrical things,? he said. ‘People who graduate from business school they make good money with their degree. They go outside and shop around and make good money.?
Tejada is an educational leader in Peru, with 4,000 students. They teach Spanish, two ancient Peruvian languages, and English, he said.
Tejada came to sign two trade agreements with Wayne State University and Oakland Community College. The free trade agreement will start in January 2009.
‘This way we’ll have an exchange of students and technology,? said Tejada. ‘It’s very important for the Michigan people (to know) what are the real opportunities for business in Peru.?
Peru has a variety of minerals, which can be used for car parts as well as in hospitals. Peru also has natural gas that can be sold to the U.S. They sell to both Mexico and California.
‘We really want to make clean technology,? said Tejada.
The free trade agreement is an opportunity for Peru and the United States to have a strong friendship.
‘We’re also hoping it will open the doors for all economies to help each other,? said Tejada. ‘We can exchange knowledge like education.?
The Peruvian government has opened both its doors and facilities as a way to be generous to investors, he said.
‘This is the best time to be stronger than even because now we have the free trade agreement and legal protection for the investor,? said Tejada. ‘We do have a new law that investors can buy public hospitals in Peru and build a hospital in Peru and manage it yourself.?
Tejada said Peru President Alan Garcia is doing his best to maintain peace in the south, so they can help the poor in the cities.
‘I also think it’s very important for other countries to have people like Dan Kelly for people to bring to parliament new ideas, fresh ideas. To build a friendship like he is by hosting me here in Clarkston,? said Tejada.
‘I’m very happy to meet him I am very sure he will win this election. I will have another friend who is looking to do good things.?
With a population of 29 million, Peru is a great tourism spot, with places like Machu Picchu and the Amazon river. There are many exotic foods in Peru, as well as 3,500 different kinds of potatoes. They also have four five-star hotels and one six-star hotel. Peru has lots of natural diversity in the Amazon, he said.
The free trade agreement should help tourism, noted Tejada.
‘It’s good to see that there is some economic activity that could benefit Clarkston,? said Kelly. ‘Peru has a free trade agreement that is more beneficial to the United State than any other country and if they’re interested in coming to Clarkston, we should open our arms.?
For more information, visit www.mrnha.org