(June 13, 2008) California and Chile are natural partners, linked by a history dating back to the Gold Rush, plus climate and culture, the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet Jeria, told a breakfast gathering at the California Chamber of Commerce.

President Bachelet’s talk at the June 12 event was part of a Northern California tour and attracted more than 160 guests, including representatives from the U.S. and California governments, local universities and businesses.

Susan Corrales-Diaz (left), chair of the CalChamber Council for International Trade, thanks Chile President Michelle Bachelet Jeria as she leaves the CalChamber breakfast forum, accompanied by Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Foxley (right) and CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg. Photo by Aaron Lambert

President Bachelet highlighted the growth in trade between Chile and the United States, as well as Chile and California since the signing of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) four years ago. Because FTAs stimulate trade, the President commented, Chile has supported other agreements, such as Peru, Colombia and Panama.

“I have spoken to some members of the House . . . to stress the importance of passing this legislation in Congress, not only because of the economic benefits these agreements will provide, but also because of the political obligation to support democratic governments,” President Bachelet said.

Describing “social cohesion” as a particular challenge in Latin America, President Bachelet cited the need to pursue economic growth and social justice at the same time.

“It is impossible to have economic growth and a stable democracy with large segments of the population being excluded from progress,” President Bachelet said.

Chile has been investing record sums in education, including redesigning the research and development system, as well as investing in infrastructure with a particular focus on competitiveness, President Bachelet said.

Chilean Delegation

The President’s delegation included the Chilean ministers of foreign affairs, the economy and energy, and several members of the Chilean Parliament.

Also accompanying President Bachelet to the breakfast were Paul Simons, the U.S. ambassador to Chile; and the Chilean ambassador to the United States, Mariano Fernández.

After speaking at the CalChamber, President Bachelet and her delegation went to the State Capitol, where they were greeted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the President spoke to the California Assembly.

Next came a stop at the University of California, Davis, where the Governor and President Bachelet signed a memorandum of understanding to promote collaboration in “human capital development,” education, environmental protection, energy, agriculture, information and communication technology, trade and business.

The President then spoke at the University of California, Berkeley.

President Bachelet

President Bachelet became the first woman president of Chile on January 15, 2006. The President is trained as a doctor, has completed graduate studies in military sciences and speaks German, French, Portuguese, Spanish and English.

Before her election to Chile’s highest office, President Bachelet served as Chilean Minister of Health starting in 2000. In 2002 she was named Minister of Defense, the first woman in Chile and Latin America to hold such a position.

Trade With Chile

Chile is a substantial export partner with California. Last year, California exported more than $880 million worth of goods to Chile, including petroleum and coal products, computer and electronic products, machinery, and transportation equipment.

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

The U.S.-Chile FTA was implemented on January 1, 2004. Bilateral trade between Chile and the United States has since doubled.

Two-way trade in goods between the United States and Chile rose to $17.3 billion in 2007. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, exports to Chile from the United States have risen more than 90 percent since implementation of the agreement. Now, Chile is the United States’ 28th largest export partner.

Exports to Chile of petroleum, machinery and fertilizer from the United States have increased markedly since 2003. Top imports from Chile to the United States include copper cathodes, fresh grapes and salmon. Top exports from the United States to Chile include transmission receptors, computers and diesel trucks.

Chile, home to 16 million people and renowned copper mines, is roughly equal in size to California. The country holds $15.3 billion in reserves and gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.2 percent in 2006.

Since 1990, there has been more than $50 billion in direct foreign investment in Chile, which has the most stable and fastest-growing economy in the region.

Chile has signed 56 free trade agreements with countries around the world.

Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling

Video Library

Chile President Michelle Bachelet Jeria(Edited for Time) - June 12, 2008

Chile President Michelle Bachelet Jeria (Unedited) - June 12, 2008