The Trade, Tourism and Investment Office of Peru in the UAE has expanded its geographical remit to include South Africa.

The strengthening of the office's footprint in South Africa follows growing interests and economic relations between the two countries.

The South African operation will now be led by Alvaro Silva Santisteban, who also maintains his role as Director of the Trade, Tourism and Investment Office of Peru in the UAE.

The move forms part of a strategy to help Peruvian companies expand into the high-growth regions of Southern Africa.

"The expansion of our remit to include South Africa makes commercial sense. The UAE is a well-established trading hub into and from Africa, with imports and exports into Eastern and Southern Africa being increasingly driven through Dubai. Our dual market experience will help to capture some of this trade flow as well as strengthen direct trade and investments between Peru and South Africa," said Santisteban.

Exports from Peru to South Africa have grown by 114% since 2013.

Among the priority sectors being targeted for trade by Peru's South African Office are: agriculture, automotive after sales, home décor, industrial machinery, construction materials and cosmetics.

Sectors being explored for potential investments include: renewable energy, mining, infrastructure, tourism and entertainment.

"South Africa is among the leading emerging economies within the continent, and is an important port of entry for the southern part of Africa. We are actively developing close synergies and evaluating mutual prospects between our two countries,” Santisteban said.

“Just in April, we scheduled four commercial missions to take place during the next semester, some of which will be attended by up to 20 companies. This not only reinforces the existing interest, but also the will to further strengthen commercial relations with one of Latin America's leading nations," he added.