In the dynamic landscape of global diplomacy, cultivating strategic partnerships requires foresight, institutional leadership, and a deep appreciation for emerging international trends. Today, we are honored to present an exclusive interview with His Excellency Elmer José Gonzalo Schialer Salcedo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru. With a distinguished diplomatic career spanning nearly four decades, Minister Schialer brings to his office extensive experience in bilateral and multilateral affairs, having served in key posts across Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Prior to his appointment as Minister in September 2024, he held the position of Secretary General of the Ministry—where he played a central role in shaping Peru’s foreign policy agenda.
Under his leadership, Peru has deepened its engagement with the Gulf region, particularly with the United Arab Emirates, a country that has emerged as a critical partner in areas such as trade, food security, investment, logistics, and innovation. In this conversation, Minister Schialer offers thoughtful reflections on the strategic importance of opening the Embassy of Peru in Abu Dhabi, the growing areas of cooperation between both nations, and the institutional efforts underway to facilitate investment and long-term economic collaboration.
With a focus on sustainability, legal stability, and regional complementarity, Minister Schialer shares his vision for Peru’s evolving role as a gateway to Latin America, while recognizing the UAE as a vital global node in diplomacy and development. This interview offers a comprehensive look at how two diverse yet complementary nations are building a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership in an increasingly interconnected world.
What strategic importance does the government of Peru place on the opening of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates?
Thank you very much for the question, as it allows me to explain that Peru has been observing the Gulf region with great interest for at least 15 years. In particular, we have developed a relationship with the United Arab Emirates, initially through a consulate in Dubai. This sustained presence has enabled us to better understand the potential, differences, and nuances among the seven emirates.
Thanks to this experience, and from my position as Secretary General — which, although not that of a minister, still allows for the management of key administrative matters within the Foreign Ministry —
I proposed the opening of an embassy in Abu Dhabi without closing the consulate in Dubai. This decision is based on the fact that both emirates play distinct roles and complement each other.
Having an embassy located in the political center of the country gives us direct access to key authorities in business, investment, diplomacy, and culture. Additionally, Abu Dhabi is a center of excellence in science, robotics, and artificial intelligence — although this is not yet widely recognized internationally. While much attention is paid to Silicon Valley or Bangalore, Abu Dhabi is often overlooked, despite hosting world-class initiatives. For all these reasons, we consider our presence here to be of strategic importance.
What areas of cooperation do you consider priorities for strengthening bilateral relations between Peru and the United Arab Emirates in the short and medium term?
One key area of interest for both countries is food security — especially for the United Arab Emirates — and it is a strategic priority for Peru, given that we are a potential and highly competitive supplier. A clear example is the case of blueberries. Around 10 to 12 years ago, Peru wasn’t even on the list of blueberry-exporting nations. It was a little-known fruit with minimal local consumption. Today, Peru is the world’s leading producer and exporter of blueberries. Approximately half of our production is shipped to a very demanding market like the United States, and we currently generate between 2.5 and 3 billion dollars annually just from blueberries. Last year, our total food exports reached 12 billion dollars.
In this context, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries collectively import around 76 billion dollars in food annually. Therefore, doubling our food exports to this region in the short term is not only feasible, but strategically sound.
Secondly, there are major investment opportunities. Sovereign wealth funds and investment authorities from the Gulf — including the UAE — are showing strong interest in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy projects (both renewable and non-renewable), and initiatives aimed at transforming Peru’s cultural framework.
Another crucial area is security. An expert recently pointed out to me that the UAE has relatively few police officers per capita, yet maintains a remarkably high level of order and control. This is due, among other factors, to the advanced use of technology for security purposes.
Given Peru’s current situation — which we share with several other Latin American countries — of facing serious challenges related to citizen insecurity and transnational organized crime, these technologies and security strategies represent a concrete opportunity for cooperation. Not only with the Emirati government, but also with companies that provide such services.
Lastly, logistics is another pillar of complementarity. Just as the UAE serves as a logistical hub for Africa, the Gulf, the Arab world, and the Indo-Pacific region, Peru is strategically positioned as a hub for Latin America. From here, goods can be distributed to both the North American market and the Pacific coast of Asia. This logistical synergy allows Peruvian companies operating in the Gulf — and Emirati companies with a presence in Peru — to project themselves globally, especially across the Southern Hemisphere.
What message would you like to convey to potential investors or foreign entrepreneurs interested in opportunities in Peru?
I would highlight several key messages. First and foremost, Peru offers legal stability, which is essential for any investment, particularly those of a long-term nature. This stability is reflected in a legal framework that ensures equal treatment for both national and foreign investors, with no discrimination based on nationality or origin of capital.
Secondly, although Peru is a country with a rich and ancient cultural heritage, in terms of infrastructure, it remains a nation with vast development potential. The infrastructure investment gap exceeds 120 billion dollars, presenting a wide range of opportunities for projects of all sizes — from small-scale initiatives involving just a few million dollars to major undertakings such as a green hydrogen plant in La Joya, Arequipa, with an estimated investment of 12 billion dollars. Thanks to the region’s climatic conditions, this plant is projected to become one of the leading green hydrogen producers, offering highly competitive production costs due to abundant solar radiation.
Lastly, I want to emphasize that we are actively working with Emirati investment authorities to simplify administrative procedures — what we in Peru call tramitología — in order to make processes faster, more efficient, and more transparent. This not only facilitates investment but also increases its profitability. Our commitment is to foster a business-friendly environment, with clear rules, streamlined processes, and real growth opportunities.
Are there any ongoing or planned agreements to strengthen the bilateral relationship?
Yes, we are moving forward with the implementation of several institutional frameworks and instruments to reinforce this relationship. For instance, an air services agreement has already been signed and is set to enter into force shortly. The only step pending is its official publication in Peru’s official gazette, El Peruano.
In addition, we have begun negotiations on two key agreements. The first is a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This agreement not only includes tariff harmonization and other technical aspects of international trade, but also aims to establish a zero-tariff regime between both countries.
The second is an Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (APRI), and negotiations are also planned for a treaty to avoid double taxation. With this comprehensive legal framework in place, we believe the next step is to foster closer ties between Peruvian and Emirati business communities.
Along these lines, we have also encouraged interaction between the chambers of commerce of both countries. While this falls within the private sector, our role as government officials is to facilitate such encounters.
The rules are clear both in Peru and in the Emirates: the goal is to create a level playing field, with an open and fair market for all. From there, it will be up to the business community to take full advantage of these conditions and generate the best possible outcomes.
How do you envision the future of the relationship between Peru and the United Arab Emirates in terms of strategic alliances and regional presence?
I believe that the United Arab Emirates already has a well-established presence in Peru. A clear example is its role as an operator in the country’s main port. There is currently a great deal of attention on the port of Chancay, which is understandable given that it is a new project and generating considerable expectations. However, it is important to point out that while Chancay will be a significant deep-water port, it is not the only one in Peru. There are at least five other ports, either in development or planned, with similar deep-draft characteristics.
In its first phase, the Chancay project — led by a Peruvian private company in partnership with the Chinese state-owned company COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Company), now known as Cosco Shipping — has already attracted approximately $1.3 billion in investment. By the time all three phases are completed, around 2030 or 2035, the total investment is expected to reach $3.8 billion.
By comparison, the Port of Callao has already received $5.48 billion in investments. With its upcoming expansion — which includes the relocation of the Peruvian Navy’s naval base further north, in a major infrastructure project — an additional $3.6 billion will be invested, bringing the total to nearly $10 billion. So while Chancay is indeed important, Callao remains the most developed port in the country.
Our strategic vision is to position the central coastal zone of Peru — with two major ports and a world-class airport — as a fully integrated logistics hub. In fact, Germany recently invested over $1 billion in the expansion of Jorge Chávez International Airport.
In addition, two special economic zones are being developed: one in the Hong Kong area (Callao) and another near Chancay. These zones will enable not only the export of raw materials, but also of value-added products, enhancing competitiveness.
This integrated logistics platform represents a significant opportunity not only for Peru but also for the United Arab Emirates, which already has an active presence in the country. Likewise, the Emirati presence in this region allows Peru to project itself toward the Gulf, the Arab world, and the Indo-Pacific — consolidating a strategic alliance based on reciprocal hubs. In that sense, we are building a regional connection with a global outlook.
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