Economy

Investment in infrastructural development is absolutely necessary if Peru is to remain one of Latin America's rising stars, says BNP Paribas' Head of Project Finance, Jean-Valery Patin. 

Peru continues to grow and reduce poverty thanks in large part to the pragmatism of its President Ollanta Humala, Miami Herald columnist Andres Oppenheimer said this week following an interview with the Peruvian leader. 

The 45 Peruvian small and medium enterprises (SME) which participated in the last edition of ExpoPer� Brazil, would close deals worth over US$ 13.5 million, reported today Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Magali Silva. 

Mining & Energy

Peruvian mining officials are meeting this week with state-owned metals giants Aluminum Corp. of China, or Chinalco, and China Minmetals Corp. to evaluate rival bids by the companies' units forGlencore Xstrata PLC's Las Bambas copper asset, Peru's energy and mines minister said Monday. 

Jiangxi Copper, China's top producer of the metal, is among the list of suitors interested in Glencore Xstrata's $5.9 billion Las Bambas copper mine in Peru, a minister from the Latin American country said on Monday. 

State-owned Chinalco Mining Corp. International will start production at its $3.5 billion Toromocho copper project in Peru in December, Senior Vice President Liu Xiangmin of Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. (ACH), or Chalco, said Monday. 

While gold may be Peru's most prominent (and problematic) precious mined material that is exported to countries around the world, semiprecious stones also have potential to make a splash in the external market. 

U.S. miner Southern Copper may be able to restart work at its controversial $1 billion T�a Mar�a copper project near Arequipa, Peru, as soon as January next year, which would allow the company to kick off operation by March, La Rep�blica reports (in Spanish).

Mariana Resources' shares jumped after it confirmed that following successful due diligence, it is proceeding with the option to earn a 70% interest in Condor Resources' 100%-owned 7.13 sq km gold-silver-copper Soledad prospect in Peru.

Diplomacy

Peru's President Ollanta Humala will receive Monday night French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the Government Palace in Lima on the last day of his official visit to the Andean country.

What is the Pacific Alliance, and what difference is it making for Peru?

Officials have agreed to step up cooperation in the agricultural operations, and look forward to expanding trade relations in the near future.

The Peruvian Embassy in Kuwait celebrated 192nd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Peru on Wednesday evening in the presence a host of dignitaries and diplomats. Peruvian Ambassador Heli Pelaez Castro and the chief guest of the occasion Khaled Al-Moqames jointly cut the cake to mark the anniversary celebration.

Politics

Recently installed Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva Ar�valo wants the public to know that he's serious about the fight against crime in Peru.

El Comercio also reported that Villanueva tackled crime related issues as well as the problem of illegal mining on his first day in office.

 

Gastronomy

Picarones: Huffington Post describes these treats as one of the "Eight unusual sweets of the world" because of their floury donut-like consistency, but with a special flavor and accompanied with the not to be missed chancaca honey. 

 

Encompassing two floors of the Saaihaile, the oldest building in Bruges, Frietmuseum includes exhibits dedicated to the origin of the potato in Peru and the creation of the specialty food in Belgium -- though other countries such as France and Spain have disputed that over the years, taking credit for themselves. 

 

Tourism

Driven by a rising flow of tourists, Peru is expected to attract US$ 1.76 billion in hotel investment in 2015, according to the organizers of Expo Hoteles & Cubiertos Internacional. 

The more this trip progresses, the more I hanker for dirt roads. I seek them for their solitude, their lack of motorised traffic, and perhaps even for their connection with Pachama - Mother Earth. Thankfully, Peru has them in abundance. Far removed from the chaos and freneticism of the Pan American Highway, these are the real veins of country, revealing the most remote of pueblecitos and the warmest of Peruanos. 

Archaeology

The site, which was named the Oracle of Congona, was apparently used during two periods and one of these shows direct Chavin influence, the Chavin culture being one of the main pre-Incan cultures of northern Peru.

Miscellaneous

Peruvian fashion is set to take the fashion world by storm come February. At least, that's what Finnish designer Paola Suhonen is hoping will happen when a collection including fine textile goods from Cusco makes its debut at New York Fashion Week.

Five young men from Bordeaux, France, stole Serge the llama from a circus. Their antics have gone viral.