Lima, Peru - Recent Peruvian exporters are anticipating a surge in opportunities as China and Peru continue to strengthen economic cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to Julio Perez Alvan, president of Peru's Exporters Association (ADEX). With Chinese President Xi Jinping set to pay a five-day state visit to Peru starting Wednesday, during which he will he also attend the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, ties between the two sides are in the spotlight. China has been Peru's top export destination for a decade, while Peruvian exports to China have seen annual growth of more than 13 percent over the past 14 years. At present, one-third of the Peruvian exports go to China. In a recent interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Alvan stressed that the free trade agreement signed between the two countries back in 2009 has benefited Peru. He also expressed optimism for expanded cooperation across various sectors, and believes this will help to create more employment opportunities. Many Peruvian exporters are also hopeful for more deals can be struck between the leaders of the two countries, particularly after China and Peru announced they had completed negotiations on an upgrade of their free trade agreement during Peruvian President Dina Boluarte's visit to China back in June. Noting the already strong economic ties between the two nations, Perez Alvan hopes there is scope for more cooperation across multiple fields. Shotlist: Lima, Peru - Recent: FILE: Lima, Peru - Aug 2, 2023 1. National flag of Peru; Lima, Peru - Recent 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Julio Perez Alvan, president, Exporters Association (ADEX) (ending with shots 3-5): "The thing is that we create more jobs, not enough, but this helps jobs, formal jobs, because 75 [percent] of the Peruvian economy is informal. So, this helps to formalize these jobs. Because all the workers have all the benefits for one job. This is the main thing here."; FILE: Lima, Peru - Aug 2, 2023 3. Pedestrians; Lima, Peru - Recent 4. Pedestrians; 5. Traffic; FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown 6. Aerial shots of Tian'anmen Rostrum, Chinese national flag, ornamental column; Lima, Peru - Recent 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Julio Perez Alvan, president, Exporters Association (ADEX) (staring with shot 6/ending with shots 8-12): "Other areas that we can cooperate, health areas, technological areas [and] sectors, exchange between students, professors, cultural events. We are trying to open more products to be sent to China. I hope this new part of the agreement is considering this, so this will be very beneficial for our country."; 8. Reporter; FILE: Chancay, Peru - June 14, 2024 9. Chancay port, container cranes; Peruvian national flag; 10. Sign of Cosco Shipping on container; Peruvian national flag; FILE: Chancay, Peru - Aug 23, 2023 11. Chancay port under construction, crane working; 12. Aerial shot of port construction site; FILE: Lima, Peru - Date Unknown 13. Government Palace; pedestrians; 14. Pedestrians, Peruvian national flags on buildings. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]