They see opportunities for economic growth in Peru for 2023.

The Peruvian economy has faced significant challenges in the past year, with a negative performance in 2023 leading to a recession. However, according to Tanja Goodwin, senior economist at the World Bank, a challenging year lies ahead but with notable opportunities if concrete actions are implemented. Goodwin highlights a projected growth of 2.5% for this year, driven by factors such as improvements in the current situation, inflation control, and a less severe impact from China's economic slowdown. However, she also emphasizes the importance of taking measures to boost productivity, promote public and private investment, and improve labor mobility to generate sustainable growth and create quality jobs. Regarding the fight against poverty, Goodwin mentions that seven out of ten poor people in Peru live in urban areas, underscoring the need to create quality jobs in these areas and improve public services to reduce disparities between Lima and the regions. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of strengthening social protection and resilience against possible shocks, such as extreme weather events. In the realm of tax reform, collaboration between the World Bank, the National Superintendence of Tax Administration (Sunat), and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is highlighted to align certain aspects, both in international taxation and domestic revenue collection. Low tax collection on labor income and the need to improve taxation for small businesses are identified as areas of opportunity. Finally, Goodwin underscores the importance of maintaining stable and sustained economic policies over time to generate investor confidence, as well as Peru's potential in sectors such as the green transition, mining, agriculture, and tourism to drive economic growth and job creation in various regions of the country. In summary, while the economic landscape presents challenges, there are clear opportunities for growth and poverty reduction in Peru if the right measures are taken and a comprehensive approach is promoted that addresses both macroeconomic needs and social inclusion and environmental sustainability.