(September 28, 2009) To help encourage bilateral trade and investment, the California Chamber of Commerce is participating in the California Trade Mission to Chile this week.

The delegation traveling to Santiago, the capital of Chile, for the September 27-29 mission includes government and business representatives from all over North, Central and South America attending the Americas Competitiveness Forum.

Also participating in the Forum are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, President of Chile Michelle Bachelet Jeria and the Chilean Minister of Economy, Hugo Lavados.

The California trade mission follows up the June 2008 signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between California and Chile meant to promote collaboration in “human capital development,” education, environmental protection, energy, agriculture, information and communication technology, trade and business.

At the competitiveness forum, the CalChamber, along with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, are scheduled to sign an MOU with the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile to encourage and promote trade and investment between both chambers.

Trade Mission Blog

While in Chile, CalChamber Vice President of International Affairs Susanne Stirling will be providing information on the trade mission via the California-Chile Trade Mission Blog.

Trade With Chile

Chile is a substantial export partner for California. In 2008, California exported more than $1.6 billion worth of goods to Chile, including petroleum and coal products, computer and electronic products, machinery, and transportation equipment. That number is up from $880 million in 2007.

California imports from Chile include fresh fruits, forestry products, wines and seafood.

Since the implementation of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement on January 1, 2004, bilateral trade between Chile and the United States has doubled.

Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling