THE InterBank Group opened a representative office in Shanghai yesterday, becoming the first Peruvian firm to penetrate China amid rising bilateral trade.

The office of IFH Peru Ltd, an affiliate of InterBank, will facilitate Peruvian companies intending to invest in China and Chinese firms which are interested in Peru's natural resources and industries.

The office will also procure for InterBank Group, which runs a supermarket chain in Peru, said Carlos Rodriguez-Pastor Persivale, president of InterBank.

"As the first Peruvian enterprise to enter China, our mission is not only to expand our own business, but also help to establish a bridge for economic cooperation between China and Peru," he said.

China is expected to be Peru's biggest trading partner this year with trade topping about US$5.5 billion, eight times the figure a year ago.

The South American country's ample natural resources like oil and commodities are attractions for Chinese companies.

The company has already contacted big state-owned Chinese firms and some privately-owned entities on investment potential in its country.

The company can offer financial services for Chinese companies in Peru or other Latin American countries.