Justino Alarcon Cinpaucar arrived in Luxembourg in the 1980s, almost by coincidence. “This is the story of a lifetime,” he told our colleagues at RTL 5Minutes. “In the 1980s, you didn’t have many airlines around. The Russian airline Aeroflot signed an agreement for a flight route connecting Lima and Moscow, with a stop in Luxembourg. This is how I found Luxembourg - I wasn’t interested in the final destination!”
He then went on to pursue a shining career in the finance sector and became responsible for the Luxembourgish subsection of PlaNet Finance, the international solidarity organisation founded by Jacques Attali with Deloitte Luxembourg.
Thanks to this experience, Justino then decided to create an ‘inclusive’ shopping centre baptised the Centro Comercial Luxemburgo in the Chorillos area of Lima. The shopping centre offers opportunities for micro-entrepreneuers. He explained that his experience in micro-finance has given him the drive to help micro-entrepreneuers by renting out small retail units so they can develop their businesses. The rent is very accessible and they have all necessary utilities, including water, electricity, internet access. “Usually, they need three years to develop their businesses and earn a small amount of capital to be able to move,” he added.
The building was constructed along sustainable development lines. “We are trying to pay attention to our ecological footprint,” the entrepreneur explained. It is one of the first buildings in south Lima to have been built with recyclable material.
For Justino, it was obvious to name the building after the country that afforded him his opportunity to build his career. The Peruvian is also connected to Luxembourg in another way as he has become a naturalised Luxembourgish citizen. Whilst Luxembourg does a lot in many ways, he believes the Grand Duchy could do more in the realm of development cooperation: “Luxembourg gives thousands of foreigners opportunities. I studied there, I learnt there, and I worked there. This is all impressive, but I think the government could do more to build links with residents who decide to return to their countries of birth. The government could channel this force and energy to promote the Grand Duchy’s image throughout the world and strengthen ties.”
(Thanks to Claude Frisoni for the article pitch and contacting Justino).
