Establishment of 'Peru Marketplace,' an E-commerce Support Platform for Peruvian SMEs
Collaboration with Peru Ministry of Trade to Open Export Opportunities for SMEs in the Post-COVID Era
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA announced on the 25th (local time) that it held an online opening ceremony for the online commerce platform ‘Peru Market Place’ in Peru.
In Peru, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for more than 98% of all businesses, but due to the complexity of export procedures, lack of information related to trade systems, and insufficient skills in business management and accounting, exporters and importers have had to bear high uncertainty and risks. Additionally, Peru has surpassed 590,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases (ranking 6th worldwide), and with numerous store closures, the entire population is facing great difficulties in quarantine and daily life. In the second quarter, the economic growth rate recorded -30%, causing significant economic damage.
Since 2016, KOICA has invested $5 million (approximately 6 billion KRW) and partnered with the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism to implement the ‘Electronic Trade Process Improvement Project for Peruvian Small and Medium Export-Import Enterprises’ to simplify external trade procedures and enhance industrial competitiveness. Specifically, the project comprehensively supported △ establishment of trade status informatization strategies △ provision of data server equipment and development of application software △ dispatch of Korean ICT experts and consulting △ invitation training for capacity building of local stakeholders.
The B2B electronic trade system ‘Peru Market Place’ developed by KOICA is designed to support exports by small-scale self-employed businesses in Peru by integrating a public online commerce system and a management support system into one set.
This system provides online services that integrate management information related to export-import trade such as production, shipment, and transportation, a product promotion space, and purchase consultation and payment procedures between exporters and importers, thereby contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises and creating jobs.
The online opening ceremony of the electronic trade system was attended by Cho Young-jun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Peru; Lee Jung-wook, Head of KOICA Peru Office; Rocio Barrios, Minister of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism; Sayuri Bayona, Vice Minister; Luis Torres, Chairman of the Peruvian Export Promotion Agency; and over 100 representatives of SMEs in Peru.
Rocio Barrios, Minister of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, said, “Due to COVID-19, the Peruvian economy has experienced a severe decline and unemployment has soared. I express my gratitude to KOICA for timely establishing an untact electronic trade system for small and medium enterprises, providing new growth opportunities for SMEs and the Peruvian economy.” She added, “We will strive to establish this system as a national-level trade platform.”
Lee Jung-wook, Head of KOICA Peru Office, said, “Despite difficulties in attracting subscribers due to the system’s trial opening earlier this year and COVID-19, over 530 SMEs have registered more than 2,000 products in a short period.” He added, “For small and medium business owners struggling due to COVID-19, participation in the government-operated online commerce system will be a great opportunity. KOICA plans to continue providing necessary education and support to help more SMEs participate and easily adapt to the new system for the time being.”
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