Peru

Peru’s exports rose to a record last year, spurred by surging copper, zinc and natural gas sales. The Andean country’s exports rose 16 percent to USD 27.6 billion in 2007 from USD 23.4 billion in 2006. Rising prices for commodities such as copper, zinc and gold have helped triple Peru’s annual exports in five years. The government is counting on exports of USD 28 billion to help drive 7 percent economic growth this year, according to the Finance Ministry. Peru is the world’s third-largest copper and zinc producer, No. 1 in silver and fishmeal and fifth in gold. (Bloomberg)