Marco Antonio Santivañez, the Consul General of Peru in the UAE, has been instrumental in strengthening the diplomatic ties between Peru and the Gulf region.
With a rich background in international law and diplomatic negotiations, he has successfully navigated the complexities of fostering bilateral relations. His efforts have not only focused on promoting Peruvian culture and tourism but also on enhancing economic and trade collaborations between the two regions.
In this exclusive interview with Latin&Gulf, Santivañez shares his insights on the challenges and achievements of his tenure and his vision for the future of Peru-UAE relations.
Join us as we explore the dynamic world of diplomacy and discover how Santivañez is bridging the gap between Latin America and the Gulf.
Can you tell us about your journey in the diplomatic service and how you became the Consul General of Peru in the UAE?
I started my diplomatic career in 1992, serving at the Peruvian Consulate in Hamburg and then at our Embassies in Bonn, Bucharest, La Paz, and Tokyo. For any diplomat, Dubai is an attractive destination, and this was particularly true in early 2019 with Peru’s participation in EXPO 2020 DUBAI. It marked Peru’s return to a world exposition after a hiatus. I can proudly say that Peru was well-represented at EXPO DUBAI with a successful intermediate-sized pavilion, visited by over 1.767 million people and awarded a gold trophy by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for the best design in its category.
Since your appointment in 2019, what have been the most significant changes in relations between Peru and the UAE?
I took charge of the Consulate in Dubai in mid-August 2019, eager to enhance the friendship and cooperation between Peru and the UAE. Shortly after my arrival, the pandemic forced us to prioritize repatriating our citizens and providing consular assistance due to social isolation measures.
Despite this, we have made progress in bilateral legal frameworks, including the short-term visa waiver agreements for all passport types that took effect in November 2020, boosting tourism, business, and official travels. In June last year, we signed the Air Services Agreement (ASA), facilitating cargo and passenger flights. In February, the trade ministers of Peru and the UAE agreed to initiate negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Other agreements to foster economic relations are also in progress.
Additionally, the Peruvian government has decided to open our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which will elevate our relations to a higher level.
How has trade between Peru and the UAE evolved during your tenure, and what are the most exchanged products or services?
The UAE is Peru’s top trading partner in the Arab world, and Peru is the third Latin American country that exports the most to the UAE. Since the Peruvian Consulate in Dubai opened in 2011, Peruvian exports to the UAE have steadily grown. In 2019, just before the pandemic, our exports nearly reached $1 billion. Despite a dip during the pandemic, we surpassed the $1 billion mark last year and expect to exceed it again this year. While gold is the primary product in demand, we also export high-quality superfoods like quinoa, mango, avocados, pomegranates, yellow dates, blueberries, coffee, chocolates, juices, dried fruits, and legumes, thanks to Peru’s excellent conditions and product quality. The trade balance is clearly in Peru’s favor.
We are also exploring new commercial exchange possibilities in digital services through our Commercial Office in Dubai.
The UAE is the second-largest investor in Peru in South America. In which sectors are the UAE primarily investing in Peru?
UAE investment in Peru began 18 years ago with DP World’s concession of the southern container terminal at Callao port, modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing port management efficiency. Since then, Emirati investments have participated in various projects in logistics, renewable energy, business services, and agro-export, characterized by significant capital flows, placing the UAE among the top 10 investors in Peru’s economy. There is also some Peruvian investment in the UAE, and interest from Peruvian entrepreneurs in expanding and establishing businesses in the UAE’s free zones to leverage their advantages.
What initiatives have been implemented to promote Peruvian culture and education in the UAE?
During the pandemic, the Peruvian Consulate in Dubai organized a small painting exhibition at our headquarters. I also invited an art gallery from the Cuzco region in Peru to participate in “Art Dubai.” We support Peruvian artists who come privately to the UAE to exhibit their creations in the city’s best hotels.
During EXPO 2020 DUBAI, the Peruvian pavilion hosted the “Qoricancha” restaurant, where chefs from various regions of Peru presented typical dishes from our coast, Amazon, and high-Andean zones, offering cooking classes and tastings. We also organized events with the Consular Corps and the wives of consuls general accredited in Dubai.
It was a pleasure to accompany numerous musical, dance, and live painting performances at our pavilion, featuring prominent artists from Peru, such as Manuelcha Prado, Tania Libertad, highland scissor dancers, Elena Valera, José Miguel Valdivia, among others. We also presented an exhibition of replicas of the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipán.
With the recent agreement for direct flights between the UAE and Peru, what are your expectations for bilateral tourism?
Firstly, after the agreement’s finalization, we anticipate the establishment of cargo flights to Lima, led by Emirates Airlines, followed by passenger flights, considering Emirates already flies to other South American cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Bogotá.
We know there are groups of Peruvian tourists eager to experience Dubai’s glamour and top-tier attractions, while we see an increase in visa applications from the UAE to visit Peru, attracted by its unique history, culture, landscapes, powerful cuisine, and the hospitality of the Peruvian people.
Are there ongoing or planned technical cooperation projects between Peru and the UAE?
During the pandemic, the UAE government sent two planes with medical supplies for our Amazon region. After COP28, we were thrilled to attend the Zayed Sustainability Prize awards, where the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, awarded the best project to a student from the High-Performance School of the La Libertad region in Peru.
The Consulate has visited various universities in Sharjah and Dubai to encourage more Peruvian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies. We have also donated Peruvian books in Spanish and English to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai and the Spanish School in Abu Dhabi to promote a better understanding of our culture. There is significant potential for developing cooperation in both directions.
What is life like for the Peruvian community in the UAE, and what support does the Consulate offer?
The Peruvian community in the UAE, numbering around 500 people, is primarily concentrated in Dubai and, to a lesser extent, in Abu Dhabi. These Peruvians came to work in the UAE, many accompanied by their families, characterized by a high level of education and integration into the economic life of society, as well as respect for the rules in a space of tolerance and multicultural coexistence.
The first Peruvians arrived over a decade ago, professionals hired by the commercial aviation sector, architecture, or other fields. More recently, a new wave of young Peruvians has arrived to work in gastronomy and hospitality.
The Consulate provides all necessary services for the daily lives of the Peruvian community, such as passports, powers of attorney, certifications, civil registrations, and the ability to vote if registered in the electoral roll. For those interested in exporting, doing business in tourism, or investing, the Commercial Office within the Consulate provides information and guidance, not only regarding the UAE but also the neighboring GCC markets. For vulnerable Peruvians, the Consulate ensures their rights are respected and can provide humanitarian assistance if necessary. We keep the Peruvian community in the UAE informed through our website and social media.
How are Peru and the UAE collaborating on sustainable development and renewable energy?
One of my first actions in 2019 was to accredit myself as Peru’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, co-facilitating the “Collaborative Framework on Critical Materials for the Energy Transition.”
During COP28 last December, we had the Peru pavilion at Expo City, with daily packed schedules of conferences, roundtables, and events featuring renowned specialists and personalities from Peru, addressing key topics related to sustainable development and clean energy, with the participation of Peru’s Minister of Environment.
What vision do you have for the future of relations between Peru and the UAE, and what steps are being taken to strengthen these ties?
I have a very optimistic vision for our bilateral relations, given our complementary economies, mutual interests, and shared aspirations for the progress of our populations, alongside Peru’s solid economy and the UAE’s dynamic development under political leadership. Gastronomic diplomacy has played and will continue to play a significant role in Dubai, catalyzed by the presence of over a dozen top-quality Peruvian restaurants that have gained international and national recognition.
Peru is elevating its diplomatic relations with the upcoming opening of our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, complemented by other important actions to enrich and deepen the bilateral legal framework. We closely follow and are interested in the new opportunities offered by the Emirati economy and society in a multipolar world with new leaderships and roles in the global order, seeking international peace, development, and cooperation.
Additionally, new direct investments, increased tourism flows, and exchange visits and experiences will significantly contribute to closer ties between our authorities and civil society. This will always be promoted by the Peruvian Consulate in Dubai, which remains open to all initiatives in these fields.
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