The regional government of Ucayali will promote the conservation of paiche (jungle fish species) in this Peruvian jurisdiction with an investment of about two million dollars, the regional director of Production, Mariano Rebaza, reported today.

In statements to Andina news agency, he explained that an initial project would focus on the Imiría lagoon, of the Masisea district, where previously there was a good amount of the above-mentioned fish species and which is experiencing a decline today.

“For this initiative, we will earmark a budget of 2.02 million dollars and the regional government, 14 native communities of the zone, the Research Institute of Peruvian Amazonia and fishermen’s association will participate in the campaign”, he said.

He also stated that one of the first steps will be to implement a closed season in the lake as well as to organize fishing surveillance local committees and to repopulate with 500 breeding of 4-year paiche.

The arapaima, pirarucu, or paiche (Arapaima gigas) is a South American tropical freshwater fish.

It is one of the larger freshwater fish in the world, reportedly with a maximum length up to 4.5 m (14.75 ft.) and weight up to 200 kg (440 lb.). The maximum weight and length is disputed. It is the largest freshwater fish in South America.

As one of the most sought after food fish species in South America, it is often captured primarily by handheld nets for export, by spearfishing for local consumption, and, consequently, large arapaima of more than 2 m are seldom found in the wild today.

The US Fire Department of Elko (Nevada), donated a fire engine to the Peruvian brigade of the Baños del Inca district No 159, in Cajamarca, in order to assist in emergencies in an immediate way.

It is a Mack 1250 Pumper, with a length of over 11 meters and a value of 100 thousand dollars, which is already in operation in the above-mentioned Cajamarca fire station.

According to Yanacocha mining company, the donation was concreted after coordinating with the US firefighters, who have contributed to the re-launch of this important institution.

The vehicle arrived well-equipped and ready to be put into operation. It has a 100 m. hose, 600 m. of cotton fire hose, three fire hydrant valves, a foam eductor, among other implements that all together have a cost of 13 thousand dollars.

Even though the fire engine is operative, in the next weeks, a group of Elko‘s fire department will arrive in Cajamarca to provide training in the efficient use of pumps and of the fire truck.

Before the year ends, a Tourism Police detachment will be set up in Chivay, capital of the province of Caylloma, in order to intensify security in the Colca Valley and its surroundings, and supervise services offered by different operators, reported today the commander of the National Police (PNP) and head of Tourism department, Oscar Orihuela.

The creation of this detachment will be coordinated with the municipality of Caylloma, which allowed the police to implement an office at the terminal of Chivay.

Orihuela said they have requested to implement other offices at the main square of Chivay, in order to increase contact with tourists who visit this locality, and they are waiting for response.

“The mayor of Chivay promised to answer our request in a few weeks, we are waiting for it in order to protect tourists in this area as soon as possible”, pointed out Orihuela.

Police security along the small towns in Colca Valley, and the supervision of services offered by different tourist operators in this area will be developed by the personnel of this detachment.

Orihuela explained that the supervision of tourist services offered by different operators is very important because there cases in which tourist services are not working properly and visitors do not have where to complain and enforce their rights.

Brazilian companies have shown interest in investing around 2.5 billion dollars in projects managed by Peru’s Promotion of Private Investment (ProInversión) this year, the executive director of this agency, David Lemor, reported today.

“ProInversión has an investment portfolio of about 5.2 billion dollars for this year, and companies are interested in investing in several of these projects”, he told Andina news agency.

He emphasized that the total amount of ProInversión’s portfolio has registered an important increase in the last months, compared to last July, from 3.6 billion dollars to 5.2 billion.

“We have a dynamic twelve-month portfolio of projects, because while we are finishing and executing some processes, other projects are included and started at the same time”, he stated.

Lemor is taking part in the Peru-Brazil Investment, Trade, Tourism, and Culture Entrepreneurship Meeting–ExpoPerú 2008, which started yesterday and will conclude today in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In this regard, he said that both Peruvian officials and businessmen are taking advantage of this meeting to strengthen trade negotiations.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings held throughout the year have so far created more than 700 temporary jobs nationwide, the chairman of the APEC 2008 High-Level Commission (CEAN), Luis Giampietri Rojas, said today.

Giampietri said that several professionals and technicians have been hired in Lima and provinces to work on the organization of APEC-related meetings and events.

“Human capital has been and is our most valuable resource. CEAN started its activities with eight members, but this number was gradually increased to 40, then 80, now we are more than 130 people working on the organization of this international summit,” he said.

These temporary jobs involved different tasks such as welcoming guests, accommodation, protocol activities, delegates’ transportation, health services and security.

There are nine Peruvian regions and cities that have benefited from this international event including Lima, Callao, Iquitos, Piura, Tumbes, Cuzco, Arequipa, Tacna and Chiclayo.
 
It is worth noting that more jobs will be created when Puno and Trujillo will host the APEC Youth Camp (1-6 oct) and the 15th APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (5-6 nov), respectively.