Minister of Transport and Communications, Enrique Cornejo, reported that Peru and Brazil signed an agreement to develop the system of waterways during the official visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Peru.

He noted that this collaboration will be crucial not only to boost the economy of that area of the country, but also help to better commercial interconnection between Peru and Brazil.

He noted that Brazil is recognized for having successfully implemented an intelligent system.

"He also has extensive experience and a very interesting development of waterways for the Madeira River, from Porto Bello to Manaus," he said.

The head of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) recently recalled that he met with Lula to boost Peruvian proposal against the arms race.

He stressed that one objective of the Government is completing the multimodal hub port of Paita (Piura), road and port IIRSA Norte Yurimaguas, thereby supporting economic growth in the northern region.

But this must be accompanied by a good system of waterways in order to take advantage of transportation via river Huallaga, Marañón and Amazon.

"Waterways allow vessels carrying containers and bring to Manaus, and from there by truck will Paita, then there is much unfinished business in that corridor, unlike the IIRSA Sur road that is pure," he said.