By Business Desk
The National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (CONFIEP), the preeminent representative body for the Peruvian private sector, has officially announced the appointment of Carlos García Jerí as its new General Manager. This strategic leadership move comes at a pivotal moment for the organization, which serves as the umbrella entity for 21 trade associations spanning 10 key economic sectors, ranging from micro-enterprises to large-scale corporations.
García Jerí assumes his role with a clear mandate: to bolster the institutional strength of CONFIEP and work in close alignment with its President, Jorge Zapata Ríos. The objective is to accelerate the confederation’s advocacy for private investment, national competitiveness, the expansion of formal employment, and the promotion of decentralized economic development across Peru’s diverse regions.
Main Facts: A Leadership Transition for Economic Advocacy
The appointment of García Jerí represents more than a routine management change; it is a calculated decision to bring high-level expertise in institutional governance to the forefront of Peru’s private sector advocacy. As General Manager, García Jerí will serve as the primary operational engine of the organization, translating the board’s vision into actionable policy and public-private dialogue.
CONFIEP, which prides itself on being the "voice of the private sector," has been instrumental in shaping the macroeconomic landscape of the country. By bringing in an executive with deep roots in both the Society of National Industries (SNI) and the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL), CONFIEP is signaling a desire to unify the interests of the diverse gremios it represents. The core pillars of García Jerí’s agenda include:
- Investment Promotion: Creating a predictable and favorable legal environment to attract both domestic and foreign capital.
- Competitiveness: Streamlining bureaucratic hurdles and promoting technological adoption across the 10 economic sectors under the CONFIEP umbrella.
- Formalization: Implementing strategies to transition the informal labor market—a persistent challenge in the Peruvian economy—into the formal sector, thereby expanding the tax base and social security coverage.
- Regional Development: Ensuring that the benefits of national economic growth are felt outside of the capital, Lima, through targeted regional development initiatives.
Chronology: A Career Built on Institutional Excellence
To understand the weight of this appointment, one must look at the trajectory of Carlos García Jerí. His career is marked by a consistent focus on institutional strengthening and the representation of business interests at the highest levels.
Early Career and Academic Foundations
García Jerí’s professional journey began in the field of engineering, a background that has provided him with a disciplined, analytical approach to business management. He holds an MBA from CENTRUM Graduate Business School and has consistently augmented his practical experience with academic rigor, notably serving as a professor of International Business at the Universidad del Pacífico. His academic engagement ensures that his policy recommendations are grounded in contemporary economic theory and global best practices.
The Lima Chamber of Commerce and SNI Era
For nearly a decade, García Jerí led the Foreign Trade Center at the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL). During this tenure, he became a central figure in promoting the internationalization of Peruvian enterprises. He spearheaded efforts to integrate local businesses into global value chains, fostering international cooperation and trade capacity building.
Following his success at the CCL, he ascended to the role of General Manager at the Society of National Industries (SNI), where he played a critical role in managing the institutional sustainability of one of Peru’s most influential gremios. His work there involved complex stakeholder management, balancing the interests of industrial leaders with the demands of public sector entities and civil society.
The Transition to CONFIEP
The move to CONFIEP is the logical culmination of these experiences. By moving from the sector-specific focus of the SNI and the trade-centric focus of the CCL to the broad-based mandate of CONFIEP, García Jerí is positioned to apply his "institutional architecture" expertise on a national scale.
Supporting Data: The Economic Landscape of Peru
The appointment of a seasoned executive like García Jerí is underscored by the current economic data regarding the Peruvian business environment. Peru has historically been a bastion of market-oriented economic policy in Latin America, yet it faces significant headwinds.
- The Informal Sector: According to recent data from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), the informal economy in Peru continues to hover above 70% of the workforce. This represents the primary challenge for any CONFIEP General Manager.
- Investment Sentiment: Private investment in Peru has faced volatility due to political uncertainty. Data from the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) suggests that restoring investor confidence is the single most important lever for returning to sustained GDP growth rates above 3%.
- Sectoral Diversity: The 21 gremios under the CONFIEP umbrella cover mining, agriculture, retail, construction, and finance, among others. Coordinating these interests requires a leader who understands the specific regulatory needs of each sector—a task for which García Jerí’s background in both manufacturing (SNI) and commerce (CCL) makes him uniquely qualified.
Official Responses and Stakeholder Sentiment
In his first official statement regarding the appointment, CONFIEP President Jorge Zapata Ríos expressed confidence in the new General Manager’s ability to navigate the complexities of the current political environment.
"Carlos brings a wealth of experience in managing institutional crises and building consensus, which is exactly what the private sector needs today," Zapata Ríos noted. "His track record of promoting trade and fostering public-private dialogue is essential as we work toward a more formal, competitive, and inclusive economy."
Industry peers have also welcomed the move. Representatives from the mining and agricultural sectors—two of Peru’s primary export drivers—have cited García Jerí’s prior work in the internationalization of trade as a key asset that could help them open new markets and stabilize supply chains.
Implications: The Road Ahead
The appointment of Carlos García Jerí carries several long-term implications for the Peruvian business landscape:
1. Enhanced Public-Private Dialogue
With his background in navigating both public and private institutional frameworks, García Jerí is expected to professionalize the way CONFIEP interacts with government ministries. This could lead to more efficient policy-making cycles and less friction between the state and the private sector.
2. A Focus on "Crisis Management"
Given his specialized training in crisis management, García Jerí is expected to implement robust internal systems at CONFIEP to respond to sudden economic or political shocks. In a country where the political environment is fluid, this proactive stance on stability is a significant upgrade for the institution.
3. The Decentralization of Growth
One of the key mandates mentioned in the official announcement is the promotion of development in the regions. This implies a strategy that moves beyond the "Lima-centric" model. Expect to see CONFIEP playing a more active role in provincial investment forums and local development projects, leveraging García Jerí’s expertise to ensure that national policy reaches the grassroots level.
4. Strengthening the "Gremios"
By fostering better communication and cohesion between the 21 trade associations, García Jerí will likely seek to harmonize the agendas of these groups. When the private sector speaks with a unified, data-driven voice, it is far more effective at influencing fiscal and labor policies.
Conclusion
The appointment of Carlos García Jerí as General Manager of CONFIEP is a strategic masterstroke. By combining a deep understanding of trade, industry, and academia with a proven ability to manage complex institutional relationships, García Jerí is well-equipped to guide the Peruvian private sector through its next chapter.
As the nation seeks to reclaim its status as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, the internal governance of its peak business association becomes a matter of national importance. With García Jerí at the helm of operations, CONFIEP is clearly preparing to be a more proactive, resilient, and effective advocate for the future of the Peruvian economy. The success of this transition will not only define his tenure but will likely have a measurable impact on the country’s competitiveness and the prosperity of its regions in the years to come.
