28 February 2013: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with ProNaturaleza, the Peruvian Foundation for the Nature Conservancy, and financed by German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has released a report titled “BioTrade: A catalyst for transitioning to a green economy in Peru.” The report suggests that BioTrade in Peru has the potential to provide 250,000 new jobs over the next decade.

The 33-page report states that goods and services from BioTrade have grown by 20 per cent over the last five years. The report says that if Peru could double this over the next decade, sales could potentially increase from the 2009 level of US$ 110 million to US$2.7 billion.

The report identifies challenges facing Peru’s BioTrade sector, for example the lack of access to finance for biodiversity-based businesses that are sometimes required to pay interest rates of 25 per cent. The publication also notes concerns that an eventual introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could compromise the country’s native species.

The report recommends: that the Government of Peru take into account biodiversity and BioTrade in on-going trade and economic partnership agreements; develop a national investment strategy for the BioTrade sector; enhance research and development; build capacity; and introduce economic and fiscal incentives. [UNEP Press Release] [Publication: Biotrade: A Catalyst for Transitioning to a Green Economy in Peru]