Done deal: Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade & Tourism Mercedes Araoz Fernandez and Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau sign a pact promoting two-way trade and investment.

Hong Kong and Peru have signed a co-operation arrangement to facilitate and promote two-way trade and investment.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau and Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade & Tourism Mercedes Araoz Fernandez signed the document today in Lima.

The pact will foster closer trade and economic ties between the two sides, Mrs Lau said. It has laid the foundation for future discussion of a two-way free-trade agreement between Hong Kong and Peru.

The arrangement will facilitate and promote trade in exhibition and trade fairs, financial services, investment, tourism, rail, maritime and logistics transportation, and food-safety measures.

It also covers co-operation in intellectual property rights, customs and competition-related matters, as well as technical assistance and capacity-building in areas of mutual interest.