2003 Lt. Gov Mission to Peru

World Trade Center Tacoma

Corporate Director Beth Willis's

Trip Report: Peru

June 28 - July 6, 2003

World Trade Center Tacoma Corporate Director Beth Willis will travel with a Washington State delegation led by Lieutenant Govenor Brad Owen to Peru on a trade mission. This one-week trade mission is designed to help develop new bilateral trade opportunities between 20Washington State business representatives and Peruvian business leaders. In addition to exciting marketing opportunities, this delegation will include Washington State firefighters and police officers who will donate several fire trucks and other lifesaving equipment and supplies to the Peruvian people.

DAY 1 - June 28  Hola!

Six Peruvian newspapers wrote articles in anticipation of the visit of Lt. Governor Brad Owen and his trade delegates. Thank goodness for Continental Airlines for providing us with a safe journey to Houston with 88 degrees and on to Lima, Peru at a comfortable 70 degrees. Thought the planes were completely full, everything went smoothly. We arrived a little early around 10:00 pm which is only two hours ahead of Washington. We were met by Ambassador Gutierrez, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for President Toledo. We were quickly whisked into a private room by our own Miguel Angel Velazquez, Consul of Peru for Washington State, while other passengers cleared customs and got their baggage. While we were waiting for our luggage, the local television was announcing the new members of Presidents Cabinet. Everyone was glued to the TV as history was being made. The new Prime Minister, Ms Beatriz Merino, has a long relationship with the United States. Ms Merino previously was the Peruvian Minister of Revenue.

As we exited the airport we were greeted by the US Commercial Officer, Rebecca Armand who will be meeting with us on Monday. We got on our bus and with a 10-man police escort were taken to the Hotel Los Delfines. Fabulous hotel built right beside a great park. Once at the hotel and checked in we were greeted by dear friends Victoria (Chiechi) and Brant Heinze from Olympia, Washington. Brandt is the manger of the largest gold mine in the world owned by Newmont Mining Corporation.


We all conducted greetings and hugs all around and quickly went to bed.

DAY 2 - June 29 Lima!

After a great night's sleep in a good hard bed we joined the full contingent for a typical Peruvian Sunday breakfast of fresh fruits, six kinds of natural juices, scrambled eggs, tamales, delicious local dishes and a variety of sweet rolls. The café was fabulisimo!!!! We were briefed by Lt. Governor Brad Owens as to our very busy schedule for the day. We left around 10am for Plasa de Aramas and a tour of the center of Lima again with our 10 person police escort, lights flashing and running every stoplight! Today is St. Peter's Day, Saint of the Sailors. While visiting the Cathederal of Lima, we were able to see the religious processions of celebration of St Peter's Day. We were privileged to have a behind the scenes tour of the private chambers and art collection of the Archbishop of Peru. Many of the beautiful artifacts dated back to the 1600's. From there, we traveled to the Church of San Francisco dating from the 17th Century. This church houses the religious art museum and the largest collection of the famous paintings of Zurbaran and a valuable collection of religious paintings from "el espanoleto". We also walked through the catacombs which were used as a cemetery during Colonial times. They believe that approximately 25,000 people were buried there up to 1928. Up to that time that was the only cemetery in Peru.

About this time we started looking for lunch, however, we were told of this very interesting collection of Ruben's period paintings stored in a monastery which has been closed to the public until recently. We had a great picture of ourselves taken in its central plaza which was hand painted along the walls and fountain. As you walked around the portals, their paintings dated from the 16th century with the paintings having writing in Latin and Spanish. From there we were excited to hear of another site close by in the hills where there was a beautiful view of all Lima. We insisted on driving up there. What an adventure. A one-cart road up 40 degrees slant with a steep drop on one side and winding up steep road. We all leaned to the left and then to the right as we hung onto each other climbing the hill. At the top the view was spectacular with all of Lima displayed below us. On the top we also found the cross of St Christopher. Going down the hill was much easier.


The afternoon was spent adjusting to the cool climate and others spent the afternoon with the firefighter contingent who were preparing for the training program this week.

At the end of the day, we were hosted by the Newmont Mining Corporation at a wonderful local restaurant. We spent the evening discussing how similar our lives were and where we could match our business and culture together. Mr. Carlos Santa Cruz, our host welcomed Lt. Governor Owen and his delegation to Lima. He thanked Lt. Governor Owen for the trust and support shown to the Peruvian people even during this time of great change. He spoke with gratitude about the great opportunities ahead in supporting each country's trade and economic development. Lt. Governor Owen spoke of the great culture of the Peruvian people and thanked our hosts for the warm welcome. He also spoke of appreciation for the delegation member's interest and support by their participation in the trade mission. He also acknowledged two Washingtonians who were already committed to investing in the Peruvian economy via Brant and Victoria Heinz in the Mineral Yanacocha. Through the mine, they have generated jobs and provided additional revenue to the economy.

All the trade mission members and Lt. Governor Owen ended this delightful evening by looking forward to meeting the business community and government official beginning tomorrow. We all hope that by the time this week is complete we will have new friends and new business .Buena's Niches !!!

Pictures are provided courtesy of Les Tonkin, Photographer

Day 3 - June 30

Our first business meeting was with Rebecca Armand of the US Commercial Service. I took her greetings from all her friends in Washington. She gave us a great briefing on the facts and figures of Peru. She repeatedly stated that the economy was very sound. That there should be economic growth of 4 % by the end of 2003.

The top 10 US imports to Peru in 2002

Cu cathodes, Gold, Cotton T-shirts, Fuel oils, Petroleum, Asparagus, Coffee, Mahogany, Tin, Precious stones

Most major US firms are represented in Lima

Microsoft, McDonalds, Burger King , ATT, AVON, DHL, Fed Ex, Danzas, (to list a few)

In summary, there is a high potential for growth in these sectors and a major area of interest is food processing and packaging.

Michele Lettersten President of World Trade Center Lima briefed us. She was a great resource and offered assistance to our members in all areas of trade matching.

The afternoon was spent at the ADEX Trade fair, meeting exporters and reviewing their products.

We all visited a large farm co-op about 45 minutes out of town, everyone was fascinated how they were able to develop the water system and begin the farming right in the desert. Asparagus for miles. The potatoes grow further up the mountainside. Our delegation members representing agriculture were having a lot of in-depth discussions and we had to pull them away in order to get to Chan-Chan before we left for the airport.

A very tiring day, but very eventful. You cannot imagine how beautiful Chan-Chan is at sunset!!

We also said hello to the visiting Muckleshoot tribe who are here to make a sister relationship with indigenous tribes of Peru. The Muckleshoot tribe was presented with a baby goat as a welcome gift during a very moving ceremony.

The evening was spent with the US Embassy and local business representatives. The Ambassadors residence is beautiful and gigantic. One person we met was Alex Hartman, from Pullman Washington. His Dad is a professor at WSU.......... those Cougars are everywhere. Alex is hoping to join the Foreign Service and is going to Georgetown University.

Governor Owen spoke to each of the groups today in Spanish and was a great success. At one time at ADEX, he was surrounded by press all talking to him at the same time. Great coverage. His meeting at the Foreign Service Ministry was a great success.

It was a great day...demanding, but very exciting.

Day 4 - July 1

Today was a life experience as I met with the business delegation and the Lima Chamber of Commerce. They were very excited about IDmicro and I believe their representative Greg has a number of appointments. Worked just like a movie. While we were meeting with the Chamber, Lt. Governor was meeting with President Toledo. They spent around 2 hours in private conversation. He is a very remarkable man with great stature and poise. He then met with our entire delegation of 20 for over an hour. He posed with all of us for pictures. Lt. Governor was treated with the highest of honors during the whole visit!

Tonight is the firefighters celebration and honoring. Tomorrow we are off to Trujillo.

Day 5 - July 2 Trujillo!

We left at 5:30 am to the airport to join the Washington state firefighters in dedicating a fire truck to Trujillo. When we arrived we were greeted by the city fathers, governor, mayor and about 100 citizens. The ceremony at the fire station was wonderful. The Bombos (firefighters) wear all red jump suits and look great. The city fire commandant dedicated one fire truck to have a plaque with Lt. Gov Owens name and the other truck will have a plaque with Ricky Walsh's name. Ricky is the lead U.S. fire person on the team. He can bench press 300 pounds to give you a bit of the picture. The city fire commandant is also going to name the new fire station Washington State.

This is a great honor for the firefighters and for the state of Washington.

Following the firefighter dedication, we joined the governor, the mayor, and the 100 citizens at another ceremony. Again, Lt. Gov Brad Owen gave his presentation in Spanish and was a great representative of Washington State. While we were in the ceremony, the teachers were having a fairly loud gathering of protest outside. Interesting!!!


DAY 6 - July 3

We started our day with the hotel filling with security fools as we met with the Vice Minister of Trade, Alfredo Ferrero. He is anxious to being a strong trade agreement with the state of Washington. He emphasizes that they will be very open for all opportunities.
The afternoon was spent with 500 of the best folks at the US Embassy Residence at a 4th of July event. Lt. Governor, Rep Jerome Delvin, Rep Mike Cooper and Orlando Cano from Speaker Frank Chopps office!!!! with gobs of their guards made a fabulous grand entrance. It was really great. Lt. Gov and many of the Delegatin had their pictures made with the President and Mrs. Toledo. Everyone we had met during the week was at the event. I spent a large amount of time with the Fullbright Commission folks. It was like being at a movie set. Once the Vice Minister from the Foreign Office asked me to contact him first before we released the information on deals. Everyone in Lima had our schedule!

The press coverage was fantastic. Either Lt. Gov Owen or the firefighters were front page everyday.

DAY 7 - July 4


Cuzco!

We begin by leaving the hotel at 4am and head for the airport to fly to Cuzco. Cuzco is 11,000 feet high and we are all taking altitude pills. They immediately put us all to bed with tingles and herbal tea which is supposed to help! We were to rest for 4 hours and I am sure everyone fell asleep as soon as possible.

As soon as we were able to move around, the Lt. Governor and Rep Mike Cooper and the Washington firefighters presented the fire engine at a major ceremony withthe Governor and Mayor of Cuzco. The press coverage again was fabulous! I think the Lt.. Governor Owen and Rep Cooper were in every paper.

Cuzco itself was truly wonderful. As a part of the August 7 debriefing at the WTCTA we will give a short powerpoint of the trip, the firefighters, the press, the wonderful culture, Cuzco and our trip on July 5 to Machu Picchu, which I consider a live adventure. It is considered one of the 7 wonders of the world!

Our fine volunteer photographerOur fine volunteer photographer

DAY 8 - July 5

Machu Picchu!

We leave Machu Picchu and Cuzco at dawn and head back to Lima. There our ground host Jorge Manini who has provided excellent connections for our business members and the high level of government officials that met with Lt. Gov Owen, Rep Delvin, Rep Cooper and our Washington Firefighters led by Ricky Walsh, provided a memorable trip to a Peruvian Pachacama which is a hugh horse ranch. The horses were walkers with very special gaits they were born with. The special guest was the Minister of Defense and his family. Again, we were able to make excellent relations within the hightest realm of the government thanks to the arrangements of the Manini firm.

Our delegation was treated as though we were on a Presidential mission. It was very impressinve.

Alpaca at Machu Picchu.

 

So we are preparing to head for the airport to take our overnight flight to Houston and then Seattle.

Delegation Chamber members, Alice Lara and Velma Perez, Hispanic Chamber of Yakima, Roberto Gonzales, Kent Chamber and Steve Gano, Trade member receiving resolutions from Trujillo government leaders.

Our firefighters and the Bomberos!!

So we are preparing to head for the airport to take our overnight flight to Houston and then Seattle.