The 2012 editions of Peru Moda and Peru Gift Show, which started today and run through Saturday in Lima, will generate more than US$100 million in business deals, up 25 percent from last year, Trade and Tourism Minister Jose Luis Silva said Thursday.

Silva said in his opening remarks that the trade shows will position Peru as one of the great fashion capitals of the world.

"With this event we want to include Peru in the circuit of international trade fairs as a production alternative for the winter and summer seasons of the northern and southern hemispheres, with an offer made mostly of cotton and alpaca," he said.

The minister noted that this year\‘s Peru Moda and Peru Gift Show will bring together some 1,500 foreign visitors and 450 buyers from countries with which Peru has tariff preferences such as Brazil (130 customers), Mexico (25) and Scandinavia (20).

"This year we will break the record of international buyers who come to purchase Peruvian products. The most famous brands are here and this is the result of private sector\‘s efforts, because we, the government, are only facilitators," he said.

Silva said that world renowned brands like Spain\‘s Desigual, Mexico\‘s Palacio de Hierro, British clothing label Ben Sherman, Brazil\‘s Brokfield, U.S.-based Perry Ellys and Marc Jacobs and Argentina’s La Martina are taking part in the event.