HE Ambassador Cecilia Galarreta: Fostering Closer Bilateral Relations between Peru and Thailand
HE Ambassador Cecilia Galarreta arrived in Thailand in June 2022 to take up her first post as Chief of Mission. Concurrently, she is non-resident ambassador to the Philippines. This year, Peru is the APEC Chair. Elite+ sat down with Ambassador Cecilia to discuss her career, posting and what we can expect with the APEC Peru presidency.
Ambassador Cecilia is a career diplomat and the sixth of seven siblings. She proudly shared, “I am honoured and delighted to represent my country and work towards fostering stronger ties between Peru and Thailand. Prior to this role, I was the director general of the Asia and Oceania department in the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have also served at our embassies in Guatemala, Germany and twice in the United States of America.”
This must be an exciting year for you with Peru holding the APEC presidency. What can we expect?
This is the third time Peru is hosting APEC, with the first being in 2008 and the second in 2016. This aligns with our state policy of strengthening our relations with the Asia-Pacific region. This year, Peru has been conducting a substantive agenda that focuses on empowering the most vulnerable economic actors in the Asia-Pacific region—such as SMEs, women entrepreneurs, youth, indigenous and rural populations—to ensure their social and economic inclusion in a globalised world. Additionally, it aims to foster economic recovery in response to the consequences and vulnerabilities exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the motto, "Empower. Include. Grow.", we, as the APEC President for 2024, proposed three thematic priorities, which were adopted by consensus and by acclamation last December by the remaining 20 APEC economies:
• Trade and Investment for Inclusive and Interconnected Growth
• Innovation and Digitalization to Promote the Transition to a Formal and Global Economy
• Sustainable Growth for Resilient Development
What activities is Peru planning to host and promote during your APEC presidency?
This year, we are organising more than 160 meetings in five cities: Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo and Pucallpa. These comprise nine ministerial meetings, including the first-ever APEC Ministerial Meeting focusing on women and trade.
As part of our APEC presidency, we expect to deliver four main outcomes:
• A Roadmap to promote the transition to a formal and global economy
• An APEC guide to develop and implement low-carbon hydrogen policies in the Asia-Pacific region
• Defined APEC principles to prevent and reverse food loss and waste in the Asia-Pacific
• A new vision for the “Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific”
Furthermore, we have launched the “APEC for the People Initiative”, which seeks to bring the benefits and opportunities of the forum to civil society.
We are grateful for the participation and support of the Thai authorities in the different meetings and look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Peru in November during the APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW).
As Peru and Thailand will be celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, could you tell us how these ties have evolved and what plans you have for this significant year.
Over the past six decades, Peru and Thailand have developed a strong and cooperative relationship, marked by mutual respect and shared interests. Both countries have collaborated in various sectors, including trade, tourism and alternative development. On 5 October, we will commemorate the 11th anniversary of recognising each other as "strategic partners" with the shared objective of serving as gateways to South America and Southeast Asia, respectively. We have a political mechanism, the “Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation”, whose sixth meeting successfully took place last August 9th in Peru. Additionally, we have a fruitful Development Cooperation Program, the only one Peru has in Southeast Asia, which has been going strong as a valuable tool for mutual learning and collaboration on matters of common interest, including community tourism, gastronomy, public health, alternative development and small and medium enterprises.
Leading up to the 60th anniversary, we plan to organize commemorative events that promote people-to-people exchange. These events include a painting contest, musical performances, film screenings and other cultural activities in collaboration with our various partners. Additionally, we expect to develop activities to promote our gastronomy, trade, tourism and investment.
Could you now tell us about bilateral trade between Peru and Thailand as well as between Peru and ASEAN?
Peru and Thailand have an Early Harvest Free Trade Agreement, and our teams are negotiating to transform it into a comprehensive one. It is worth noting that Peru is one of only two countries in Latin America with an FTA with Thailand. As of 2023, Thailand ranked as Peru’s second-largest trading partner among ASEAN countries, while Peru was the sixth for Thailand in Latin America. We are pleased that around 60% of the products we export to Thailand are non-traditional. In this context, we are working to achieve greater growth in our exports and enhance the positioning of our products.
In the fresh produce sector, for example, in 2023 our country was the primary blueberry supplier to Thailand (and the whole world), second in avocados and fourth in grapes. Squid and superfoods are also exported to the Thai market. Peruvian wine, Pisco, as well as Chia, quinoa, flaxseeds, cacao and health products can also be found here.
What advice would you give Thai entrepreneurs who may be interested in trading with Peru?
They should focus on understanding local market dynamics and consumer preferences. It is important to establish strong local partnerships and to take advantage of the framework of our early Harvest Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Additionally, being adaptable and innovative in product offerings and ensuring compliance with Peruvian regulations are key to success in this growing market. Thus, we welcome the Latin Link initiative led by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which facilitated the visit of Thai entrepreneurs to Peru in last August.
How big would you say the Peruvian community is in Thailand and what businesses are they involved in?
In 1992, when the embassy in Thailand opened, there were no more than five Peruvians established in the country. To date there are approximately 90 Peruvians living here. The opening, in 2006, of the production plant of AJE-THAI, a company with Peruvian roots, led to an increase in our community with the gradual arrival of about 30 Peruvian workers and their families. The Peruvian community in Thailand resides mostly in Bangkok. Few others do so in different regions. Likewise, some Peruvian chefs and people involved in the hospitality sector are working in restaurants and hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and some islands in the south of the country, like Phuket and Koh Samui. Others have opened businesses of their own such as restaurants and catering services.
Since the pandemic recovery, how have relations between Peru and Thailand as well as ASEAN members progressed?
Peru and Thailand have been strategic partners for almost 11 years. Before, during and after the pandemic we have always worked in a coordinated manner, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to achieve well-being for our people. The Development Cooperation Plan 2021-2023 has been of great help in this, especially to overcome the havoc caused by the health crisis.
Regarding ASEAN, Peru has made great progress in its relationship with each of the member states and with the bloc as a whole. I would like to point out that since January 2024 Peru has been granted the status of "Development Partner", which opens a new spectrum of possibilities to expand relations with this regional integration bloc. The support received by all ASEAN states in this initiative clearly demonstrates that our relations have achieved greater significance. This status will allow Peru to forge a dialogue mechanism with ASEAN to establish a coordinated agenda that includes an increasing South-South cooperation programme involving other governmental areas as well as business and academia.
Since you arrived in Thailand two years ago, what has impressed you most about the country and its culture?
I have been deeply impressed by the Thai people. Their warmth and hospitality truly reinforce Thailand's reputation as the "Land of Smiles". Additionally, the strong emphasis on family values and the remarkable kindness and spiritual approach that characterizes everyday life are facets of Thai culture that have left a lasting impression. Another aspect I feel very grateful for is the steady support and collaboration we have received from our Thai counterparts since I arrived two years ago, spanning from the Foreign Ministry and other government entities to educational, cultural and commercial partners. This teamwork has been the most successful strategy to achieve concrete results and mutual benefits for both our peoples.
During your travels around the Kingdom, what has impressed you most?
I admire Thailand’s rich history and culture, the country’s traditional and modern crafts and artistry. I have witnessed the breath-taking landscapes and exquisite Thai cuisine in various provinces, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin and others. Moreover, I am fascinated by the high quality, versatility and intricate designs of Thai silk. I am proud and honoured to be a member of the "Thai Silk Road to the World" committee. Together with my fellow committee members, we are working to raise awareness of Thai silk and explore opportunities for cooperation using materials unique to each of our countries as well as their respective motifs and techniques.
To conclude, do you have any final thoughts you would like to share with our readers?
I truly look forward to expanding my knowledge of this beautiful country and its wonderful people as well as continuing to collaborate with our Thai partners. Recently, we presented a photographic exhibition entitled "Qhapac Ñan: The Great Inca Trail". This October, we are excited to bring the Peruvian singer Lenin QPOP to Thailand. Recognized as a visionary artist for 2024 by the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine, Lenin is also a songwriter and music producer known for creating Q'pop (Quechua Pop), a unique fusion of K-pop and Andean Quechua music. This presentation is part of a "Cultural Tour in Asia", which also includes Korea, India and Vietnam.
I wish to invite Elite+ readers to stay tuned to our official social media channels, including Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram, where we regularly update information on upcoming events, news and cultural highlights. I encourage the Thai community to actively participate in these endeavours; your presence is sincerely welcomed and crucial for strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Peru and Thailand.
