Peruvian Production Minister Bruno Giuffra has his eye on the Israeli startup ecosystem and wants to duplicate it in his home country, according to local South American reports.

Giuffra reportedly told Israeli Ambassador Ehud Eitam that he is seeking to work with Israeli startups and veteran firms to improve his country’s tech scene. Israel opened trade offices in Peru and Chile earlier this month.

Israel was accepted in 2014 as an observer state of the Pacific Alliance—an economic platform established by Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico to advance the growth and economic competitiveness of their citizens.

Israel also enjoys a free trade agreement with the Mercosur states—Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, as well as associate countries Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Suriname.

“The Israeli Ministry of Economy continues to strengthen Israel’s economic ties with countries around the world with an emphasis on developing economies with great potential for growth,” Ohad Cohen, chief of the Israeli Economy Ministry’s Foreign Trade Administration, said in a statement. “We are expanding Israel’s economic footprint in Latin America, in accordance with our policy of expanding export horizons for Israeli industry and service sectors.”

Meanwhile, Peru’s flagship cocktail—the pisco—will be sold for the first time in Israel, JTA reported. The pisco is an unaged brandy distilled from grapes and will go on sale in Tel Aviv bars and restaurants.

“The pisco will compete with drinks already positioned in this market. We are confident that Israelis will get more familiar with our distillate, which will soon be among their preferences,” Peru’s foreign trade and tourism minister told the newspaper El Comercio.

The report said the Peruvian trade office in Tel Aviv pushed for the drink to enter the Israeli market. It will be available in Israel under the brand Barsol.

(via Israel21c)

[Photo: Ministerio de la Producción  / Flickr ]