Mexican president-elect promotes trade ties with Peru

LIMA - Visiting Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday told Peruvian business leaders his government plans to promote trade and investment ties with Peru.

Addressing a group of 180 members of Peru's National Confederation of Private Business, Pena Nieto noted trade and investment ties between the two countries are healthy, but could be expanded.

In recent years, Peru has become Mexico's second largest investment destination in Latin America, with trade flow between the two growing by more than 500 percent, according to Pena Nieto.

"If these favorable conditions continue in Peru, larger investments can be attained and trade exchange will grow," said Pena Nieto, adding Mexican private investment in Peru has reached $14 billion in the past few years.

Peru's business community is interested in improving conditions for bilateral trade and investment, and concerned about the effects of organized crime and drug trafficking in both countries.

The president-elect said he intends to continue the war on drugs which was launched six years ago by outgoing Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Peru is the last stop of Pena Nieto's six-nation Latin America tour, which has taken him to Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.