[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"718","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"328","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"610"}}]]Peruvian and Chinese co-operators have been making strong ties during a discussion on how the two countries can co-operate in agriculture. Members from Peru and China met last month to discuss co-operation on various projects and future exchanges, while a Peruvian project has been chosen to be funded by the Forum of Asian Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC). Jose Urquizo Maggia, the Minister of Production in Peru, and César Quispe, the Director of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives, met with a delegation of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC) to discuss plans for co-operation. The members of ACFSMC stressed the importance of co-operatives in their rural economy and their willingness to work with Peruvian co-ops, particularly those in the agricultural sector. The delegation was composed of Wang Lin, Zhao Limin, Chulin Jian, Teng Huayong, representatives of the ACFSMC. Peruvian co-operatives have other links with the Asian-Pacific trade sector; a Peruvian project was selected for APEC entitled International Symposium and Workshop on Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the Innovative Co-operative Business Model. It was presented by the Director General of SMEs and Cooperatives of the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) for the International Year of Co-operatives. The project will investigate successful economic co-operative models from the countries in APEC and hold a workshop to analyse the results, it will give a better understanding of the legal and institutional contexts that countries use to promote their co-operatives. It is the only project approved for the Latin American countries in APEC and was selected among 19 others, out of 250 projects that were submitted. The project will begin in the first half of 2012, APEC will finance 80% of the total cost, while the difference will be taken up by PRODUCE. The Peruvian Minister, Jose Urquizo, is a strong supporter of co-operatives and for 2012, launched the IYC National Committee and reactivated the National Council for the Development of Micro and Small Enterprises. He said: "This way, we will seek to promote co-operatives and raise awareness of their contribution to the economic and social development through actions such as seminars, workshops, awards, among others." Peru has 1,667 co-operatives of which 160 are credit unions and 150 are agricultural co-operatives. Picture: Peruvian and Chinese co-operators discuss co-operation.
