INDUSTRY AND TRADE
Modern industries developed mainly after World War II. Prior to that time, Peru's industry was engaged mainly in preliminary processing of mineral products, processing of agriculture products, and the manufacture of textiles and leather products. Between 1950 and 1980 the contribution of industry to the domestic product increased from 13.6 percent to 24.5 percent. Industrial development over the last 40 years embraced a wide range of industries. In addition to much more technologically advanced and in most cases complete processing of mineral products, a modern iron and steel industry has developed.
Other manufacturing includes engineering products, shipbuilding, assembly of motor vehicles, electronic products, chemicals (including fertilizers), pharmaceuticals, textiles, rubber and plastic products, building materials, foodstuffs, and tobacco products. The number of workers employed in industry ha srisen from just inder 100,000 in 1952 to 742,000 in 1988 (19 percent of the total workforce). about 70 percent of Peru's industry is concentrated in the Lima metropolitan area.
Peru's main trading partners are the United States which in 1987 provided 18% of the imports and in 1985 took 31 percent of exports; Japan 7 and 8 percent, Germany 8 and 5 percent; and Argentina 5 and 1 percent.
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