Bilateral relations Switzerland–Peru

Switzerland and Peru enjoy friendly relations, which are reinforced by regular political consultations. Peru is one of Switzerland's priority countries in the area of economic development cooperation.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland and Peru maintain active political relations. Bilateral relations are focused primarily on trade enhancement, cultural and judicial cooperation, business and human rights issues and Switzerland's assistance in promoting economic development and climate change adaptation.

Switzerland and Peru have entered into agreements on free trade, investment protection, double taxation, air transport, mutual legal assistance, and the protection of cultural property. 

On 20 October 2020, Switzerland and Peru signed an agreement setting out the basis for Switzerland to offset part of its CO2 emissions through projects in Peru. This agreement, which entered into force on 1 August 2021, is the first of its kind in the world.

On 16 December 2020, Switzerland, Peru and Luxembourg signed an agreement governing the return of around CHF 26 million in illicitly acquired assets to Peru (Montesinos case). The agreement came into force on 18 April 2021. The funds will be used to fight corruption in Peru. Between 2002 and 2006, Switzerland had previously returned around CHF 93 million to Peru in relation to the Montesinos case.

Treaty database

Switzerland-Peru climate protection agreement (fr, de)

Montesinos tripartite agreement

Government of Peru (es)

Economic cooperation

In 2022, Switzerland imported goods worth CHF 2.4 billion from Peru, primarily gold (over 90% of the total volume of imports) and agricultural products. In the same year, Switzerland exported goods worth CHF 131.6 million to Peru, mainly comprising machinery, pharmaceutical products and precision instruments. In 2021, Swiss direct investment in Peru amounted to CHF 712 million. Swiss companies employed 8,653 people in Peru in 2021.  

Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Trade promotion (Switzerland Global Enterprise)

Swiss-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce (es)

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers who are citizens of Peru can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Under a mandate conferred by SERI, the University of St Gallen is currently coordinating research cooperation initiatives between Switzerland and Latin America.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)

Leading House for the Latin American Region

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Peru has been a priority country for SECO's economic development cooperation since 2009. Approximately CHF 75 million has been allocated for this purpose for the 2021–24 period. Peru is also a beneficiary of the SDC's programme for the Andean region, which focuses on climate change, natural disasters and the sustainable management of water resources. 

Peru, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Swiss cooperation in Peru and the Andes (es)

Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios Programme

Cultural exchange

Peru is a priority country for cooperation with the Federal Office of Culture. Switzerland and Peru have co-financed several cultural projects. The Museum Rietberg in Zurich, for example, held an exhibition on the Nasca culture in 2017 and 2018. Since 2020, Switzerland has been funding the restoration of several artefacts from Caral, the oldest civilisation in the Americas.

Museum Rietberg, Nasca exhibition

Switzerland supports conservation of the Caral archaeological site (es)

Swiss nationals in Peru

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 2,857 Swiss nationals living in Peru at the end of 2022.

History of bilateral relations

A Swiss consulate opened in Lima in 1884 and was upgraded to a consulate general in 1931. A diplomatic representation has existed since 1946. In 1964, Switzerland launched one of its first technical cooperation programmes in the Peruvian Andes. There has been a Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Peru since 1979. Following a severe economic crisis at the beginning of the 1990s, Switzerland cancelled Peru's debt.

Peru, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr)

Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Last update 13.06.2023

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