With over five decades of presence in Peru, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) has established itself in the local market as a bridge to Australia. Throughout these years, Australia and Peru have shared the vision of opening up to the world and, simultaneously, aligning in business as a path to development. In this commercial exchange between the two countries, it has diversified to include technology and services for the mining sector, as well as products like Australian malt and barley used in beer production in a beer-loving country like Peru. Meanwhile, Australia also receives agricultural and Andean products from Peru, such as quinoa and coffee beans. Behind all these achievements, there is a human group with an Australian heart.

Nicholas Baker, Commercial Counsellor, leads this team, along with Carmen Alonso, Manager of Corporate Affairs, and Valeria Beck, Director of Business Development, who share a bit about their role in strengthening the business relations between the two countries: “We are a small and highly united team that from the beginning set out to position Australia as a key ally for Peru by leveraging the similarities between the two countries,” they share with a smile. “Our ability to work as a team and find spaces and opportunities to share the Australian experience in different sectors is the clearest hallmark of Austrade’s work in Peru over all these years.”

From its early steps in the country, Austrade has transcended the role of a conventional commercial institution, serving for several years as the official representative of Australia, performing diplomatic, consular, and governmental relations functions. The team’s work was crucial during Peru’s first APEC in 2008. After a successful Australian participation, Austrade played a key role in the process of reopening the Australian Embassy in Peru in 2010. With the Embassy’s reopening, the institution reaffirmed its commitment to increasing trade links between the two countries, which was further materialized in 2018 with the signing of the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement (PAFTA). “Australia’s priorities and capabilities align with Peru’s needs. This makes our relationship a reciprocal collaboration, not transactional. We have become allies competing in different markets,” emphasizes Valeria. Austrade acts as a facilitator, strengthening the relationship between two countries that understand each other’s needs and have built a joint path from it.

“One of the nicest memories we have is the celebration of the Australian Didgeridoo Awards. At the end of the year, we gathered with Australian companies in Peru and shared an afternoon of wines and other Australian products, getting to know each other more and, of course, awarding prizes in different categories. This gave us the opportunity to get closer to each person, thus strengthening the bonds we had. This happened many years ago, in a time when there were not many Australian companies in Peru, allowing us to enjoy more intimate gatherings.”

Today, however, more than a hundred Australian companies have found a home in Peru, placing it among the top 20 markets globally for Australian exporters. “It is extremely satisfying for us to see a company grow and establish itself in Peru or in Latin America,” adds Nick and Carmen, “But, in reality, it goes beyond that; we are attracting people, contributing to their personal and professional stories, and that is what drives us to keep working.” Austrade not only seeks to establish commercial initiatives but also stands out for building long-term, person-to-person relationships, such as connections in areas ranging from education to mining, agriculture, and business.

Each Australian company that arrives in Peru is a story to tell on this side of the sea, and Austrade already has many successful stories, helping Australia leave an indelible mark that transcends generations. With a passionate team, Austrade shows that true success goes beyond figures: it lies in collaboration stories and human connections built over the years.