The Peruvian economy is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 6.7 percent between 2014 and 2016, surpassing the 6.4 percent average of the recent 10-year period the country's Central Reserve Bank (BCR) announced Monday. 

Peru holds one of the highest regional growth rates on the back of its key economic strengths within a strong policy framework, thus withstanding adverse economic conditions at the international level, a number of leading economic operators have said. 

Peru's mid-term growth strategy is driven by infrastructure, and targets to increase investment levels to 30 percent of the county's gross domestic product (GDP), investment bank Credit Suisse said on Wednesday. 

The president of Peru's central bank said on Tuesday he is not optimistic about economic expansion in April, as weaker-than-expected mining activity continues to drag on overall growth.

April's growth rate is scheduled to be released June 16, but preliminary government data shows the mining and energy sector shrunk 6.1 percent from the same month in 2013.

Chinalco's Toromocho copper mine is expected to boost Peru's copper output by 14 percent when it hits full production in mid-2014, according to the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy's (SNMPE).

SNMPE's President, Eva Arias, noted copper output rose by 16.5 percent in the first quarter of the year, while gold production dropped 7.7 percent in the period under review. Nevertheless, she said, it is projected to rebound 1 percent by year-end. 

In this interview, both analysts said that "In Peru, mining investments represent nearly 12% of GDP. Mining represents 30% of governmental revenues and 60% of exports." 

At the same time, they said that "The government needs this money from the mining industry to continue with its social programs. That is why it has turned more friendly to the industry. All of us want the government to be more proactive and accelerate permitting to get the mining industry moving faster."

Peru's metal mining output fell by 9.64% in April year-on-year, mainly on a decrease in zinc and gold production, according to the country's statistics institute, Inei.

Exports of Peruvian fresh fruits and vegetables during the first fourth months of the year amounted to US$557 million, a 32% increase over the same period in 2013, the Agricultural Producers Guild Association of Peru (AGAP) said Tuesday. 

Peruvian Environment Minister, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal is expected to visit Germany to attend the second round of climate change negotiations of the United Nations (UN), it was reported Tuesday. 

No tsunamis expected after 5.4 quake shakes Peru's capital

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake that shook buildings in the Peruvian capital of Lima on Tuesday will not cause any tsunamis, Peruvian authorities said.

The quake, which led people to file out of office buildings and homes, struck 72 kilometers southwest of the coast of Lima, Peru's geophysical and civil defense institutes said. 

Body of one of two Italians missing in Andes found

The body of Matteo Tagliabue, one of two Italian mountaineers who went missing in the Peruvian Andes four days ago, has been found, rescuers said Wednesday. Tagliabue, 27, was ascending the steep Alpamayo peak in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range with another expert climber, Enrico Broggi, 28. The search for them began when the alarm was sounded by two fellow Italian mountaineers in their group.