Peruvian Industry Hit by Illicit Trade, SNI Survey Reveals
A recent survey by the National Society of Industries (SNI) in Peru indicates that illicit trade significantly impacts the formal industrial sector, with one in two industrialists reporting serious effects. The SNI conducted this survey because existing official data, largely based on seizures, fails to capture the true scale of the problem. Silvia Hooker Ortega, SNI's International Affairs Manager, highlighted this limitation, stating that public information only reflects a fraction of the issue. The findings were presented at the V South American Business Associations Council for Legitimate Trade meeting in Buenos Aires on June 30 and July 1. This event brought together business representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay to discuss the impact of illicit trade and enhance regional cooperation. To address the data gap, the SNI established the Observatory for the Fight Against Illicit Trade (OLCI) to generate and disseminate evidence, aiming to raise awareness among media, academia, authorities, and the public. The SNI also assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Council until January 2027, with its president, Felipe James Callao, leading the initiative. Lima will host the next regional meeting. The Council, which now includes business associations from Brazil and Uruguay, aims to strengthen regional coordination against illicit trade, which undermines competitiveness and formal economies.
This survey by Peru's National Society of Industries (SNI) highlights a critical challenge to formal economies: the pervasive reach of illicit trade. By directly surveying businesses, the SNI bypasses the limitations of official seizure data, offering a more grounded perspective on the economic damage. The formation of the Observatory for the Fight Against Illicit Trade (OLCI) and the SNI's leadership in the South American Business Associations Council signal a strategic move towards data-driven advocacy and regional cooperation. In an era increasingly shaped by complex global supply chains and digital economies, understanding and combating illicit trade is essential for fostering sustainable development and fair competition. The SNI's initiative underscores the need for robust, evidence-based policy responses that go beyond reactive enforcement to address the systemic incentives driving illegal markets.
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