The Pacific Alliance, Latin America’s trade bloc comprising Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Mexico,
celebrated its regional integration through a cross-cultural event held at the Peru Pavilion in the
Expo 2020 Dubai on November 28, 2021. The event led by Colombia, with the support of other
member nations was held to reaffirm efforts to strengthen political and economic relations
between member nations, as well as promote their respective rich cultural heritage at the global
expo.
Diplomats, general commissioners of various national pavilions and business leaders from the
member nations of the Pacific Alliance, attended the gala celebrations which featured an
exclusive four-hands dining experience crafted by the finest chefs from the Latin American
region, Colombia’s Alex Salgado and Peru’s Iván Casusol Rossi.
Guests were treated to a unique gastronomic experience following an array of exquisite Latin
American dishes served with authentic and natural ingredients from Pacific Alliance’s member
nations, along with exotic Chilean and Mexican beverages.
Jaime Amín, Ambassador of Colombia to the UAE, said: “Pacific Alliance has been successful
as an integration process and is an example of Latin America for the world which presently has
four associated countries, while four more countries are in the process of incorporation and 40
observer countries. The success of the Pacific Alliance demonstrates the strength of the political
integration project, which will allow us to have 100 per cent tariff-free trade of goods and
services between our four countries by 2030, which currently stands at 92 per cent.”
“As we celebrate the first ten years of regional integration, we observe with great optimism the
processes of social-economic development and political stability of our countries as it is
instrumental in our continued growth the proposed goals in the coming decades,” Amin added.
According to Marco Antonio Santivanez, Consul-General of Peru in the UAE, “The event held in
Peru Pavilion brought the member nations of the Pacific Alliance together and enabled us to
confirm that the strategic vision that inspires us fully converges with the future development
goals of the UAE, which is an active observer of the alliance. It is also in line with generating
new labour, academic, cultural and business opportunities beneficial to UAE and the member
nations of the Pacific Alliance.”
Jorge Dacarett, Ambassador of Chile to the UAE, said: “The member nations of the Pacific
Alliance understand that fostering collaboration and friendly relations with other countries is
integral for development and nurturing business opportunities. And in UAE, we are represented
by Pacific Alliance as a group of integrated countries that offers a favorable destination for
investment and visit.”
The Pacific Alliance is a Latin American trade bloc formed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and
Peru to promote regional integration and free trade on April 28, 2011. A strategic platform that
offers competitive advantages for international businesses, especially in the Asia-Pacific region,
Pacific Alliance is the eighth economic power and export force globally.
