Utah Business Leaders visit Embassy in Lima, Peru

SALT LAKE CITY (October 11, 2018) – A delegation of nearly 30 Salt Lake Chamber members and business leaders traveled to Peru to visit the South American country known for its stunning natural beauty and ancient civilization. Today, the group visited the U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Lima to get a better understanding of Peru’s economy and business climate as well as the country’s trade with Utah.

“Utah is one of Peru’s top trade partners,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “In fact, Peru is ranked fourth, behind Canada, China and Mexico for imports into Utah. This trip allows our members not only to visit a beautiful country, but also get a better understanding of how free trade agreements benefit our economy and create jobs both here in this country and back at home.”

Peru is one of three countries in South America, including Columbia and Chile, with a free trade agreement with the United States and is often considered as the model for free trade agreements. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, imports from Peru to Utah totaled nearly $1.4 billion in 2017, a 39% increase over 2016 import totals.

Aside from trade totals, there is a strong connection between Utah and Peru in the number of Peruvians living in the Beehive State. Peruvians constitute the second largest immigrant group in Utah after Mexicans, with an estimated 40,000 Peruvians living in our state.

During their visit to Peru, members of the Salt Lake Chamber delegation will also be visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Huaca Huallamarca, and Maras. For more information on the Salt Lake Chamber’s Peru trip, visit: slchamber.com/annual-events/peru/

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About the Chamber

The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest and longest-standing business association. A statewide chamber of commerce with members in all 29 Utah counties, the Chamber represents the broad interests of the state’s 63,000-plus employers, which employ more than 1.4 million Utahns. This includes thousands of Chamber members and their employees. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber stands as the voice of business, supports its members’ success and champion’s community prosperity.