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Key Country Contacts
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Disaster in Chile |
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In the name of Prochile and the Embassy of Chile in the United States, I would like to thank you for all communications and support expressions we have received on these difficult times for Chile. The mission of the people of Chile is starting to rebuild the devastated zones of the country through the force of the unbreakable national and international solidarity.
The President of Chile, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, has requested specific assistance to the international community: satellite phones and antennas, generators, transitional houses, mechanical bridges, field hospitals, structural damages evaluation systems, salt water purification systems (drinking water supplies), tents, dialysis centers, mechanical public centers (food centers) and rescue expert teams. Please contact us if you would like to provide assistance with any of these requirements.
-excerpt from a letter from ProChile, dated March 5, 2010
Full Letter from ProChile
March 5, 2010
Chile Earthquake Relief
Embassy of Chile, Washington DC
Chilean Exporters Assn. Release
March 3, 2010
Wines of Chile Release
March 3, 2010 |
The California Chamber of Commerce wishes to express its deepest sympathy to our partners in Chile during this difficult and terrible time. With the strength of their democracy, we are assured that Chile will confront this disaster with determination and rebuild to be even stronger.
Governor Schwarzenegger's Statement
President Obama's Statement
AmCham Chile
American Embassy in Chile
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Trade Overview
Since the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement was implemented on January 1, 2004, bilateral trade between Chile and the United States has doubled and both trade and investment opportunities abound. Under the Free Trade Agreement, 85 percent of industrial products are traded without duties together with 75 percent of farm production. After just ten years, all trade in non-agricultural goods will take place without tariffs or quotas; for agriculture, the phase-out will take 12 years.
Two-way trade in goods between the United States and Chile rose to over $20 billion in 2008. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, exports to Chile from the United States have risen by over 90 percent since implementation of the Agreement. Exports to Chile of petroleum, machinery, and fertilizer from the United States have experienced a marked increase since 2003. Chile is the United States' 25th largest export partner. Top exports 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.
Nearly 12,000 US firms export approximately 5,000 different products to Chile. Over 2,000 Chilean firms exported as many different products to the US.
According to the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile, over 300 US companies have investments in Chile, with over 40 of them using Chile as a platform for services in the region. Chilean affiliates of US direct investors are estimated to employ over 58,5000 people and their value-added contributed 3.2 percent to Chile's gross domestic product.
Chile is roughly equal in size to California and home to 16 million people and renowned copper mines. Chile holds $15.3 billion in reserves. In 2003, the Chilean economy began to recover after a 1999 slump, reaching a 3.3 percent growth in real GDP. GDP grew by 4.2 percent in 2006. Since 1990, there has been more than $50 billion in direct foreign investment in Chile. Chile has the most stable and fastest growing economy in the region which puts it in the best position to promote democracy and political freedom. Chile has now signed approximately 60 Free Trade Agreements with various countries round the world.
Chile is California's 22th largest export partner. In 2008, California exported more than $1.6 billion to Chile, a 93 percent increase from 2007! This included petroleum and coal products, computer and electronic products, machinery, and transportation equipment. California imports the following from Chile: fresh fruits, forestry products, wines, and seafood.
U.S. – Chile Trade Fact Sheet: Focus on California
U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement
Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement
NAFTA and the Americas Trade
2009 WTO Trade Policy Review: Chile
Press Release
Report
Recent Events
| California Trade Mission to Chile - September 2009 |
To help encourage bilateral trade and investment, the California Chamber of Commerce participated in the California Trade Mission to Chile. The delegation traveling to Santiago, the capital of Chile, for the September 27-29 mission included government and business representatives from all over North, Central and South America attending the Americas Competitiveness Forum.
Participating in the Forum were President of Chile Michelle Bachelet Jeria, the Chilean Minister of Economy, Hugo Lavados, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.
The September 2009 California trade mission followed 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.
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A Memorandum of Understand between the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile and the California Chamber of Commerce together with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, was signed in Santiago, Chile, on September 28, 2009 to encourage and promote trade and investment between the chambers. |
MOU in English
MOU en español
CA Trade Mission to Chile Blog
CalChamber Alert Article (10.02.09)
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(September 28, 2009) Preparing for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to promote trade and investment between California and Chile are (from left) Paul Simons, U.S. Ambassador to Chile; Susanne Stirling, CalChamber Vice President, international affairs; Richard Garcia, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile; Carlos Valderrama, Senior Vice President, global initiatives, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; and Jose Goni, Chilean Ambassador to the United States. |
| California Chile Plan |
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In June, 2008, President Bachelet signed an MOU with Governor Schwarzenegger of California, marking the start of a program called “Chile-California Plan: A Strategic Association for the 21st Century.” The association is based on the joint commitment of Chile and California to develop business opportunities, expand research and teaching in education, and develop projects in different areas that are strategic for both territories: human capital, education in environmental issues, energy, agriculture, information and communications technologies and trade. There are three top areas that have been determined to be key areas for initial promotion and coordination: human capital, research and development, and trade and business.
It is anticipated that the Plan will generate opportunities for the development of innovative international exchange models and public-private networks in government, business and academic fields.
For further information, please contact: Trade Commissioner – PROCHILE.
A Strategic Association for the 21st Century
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| Chile President Cites Natural Affinities in Trade Relationship with California |
Visit Spotlights Continuing Abundant Trade Opportunities in Chile |
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(June 12, 2008) 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.
Top Story - June 13, 2008
Video: Chile President Michelle Bachelet Jeria (Edited for Time)
Video: Chile President Michelle Bachelet Jeria (Unedited)
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(October 19, 2007) Mateo Budinich, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile, meets with Susanne Stirling, vice president of international affairs for the Califorrnia Chamber of Commerce,to review the impacts of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 2004.
Read the Full Article - Alert, October 19, 2007 | |
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