The Chilean government has sent its largest-ever delegation of politicians and business leaders to the U.S. for the inaugural Chile Week USA. The inclusion of Philadelphia as a destination to visit might have surprised some observers. However, the city has long-established links to Chile, officials say.
"Philly's long been a hub for Chilean business and cultural activity due to our central location among the three ports along the Delaware River that import so much Chilean fruit," explained Christina Lista, director of the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, an organization that's been in existence for 26 years. "We're in our fourth decade of partnership with the Chilean perishables export industry."
The Chilean delegation’s visit to the city will include trade and investment seminars and discussions about agriculture, food and tourism. The agenda will also feature the 19th annual “Friends of Chile” awards luncheon co-hosted by the Chilean, American, and Greater Philadelphia Chambers of Commerce.
Chile is the world’s largest exporter of blueberries, grapes, plums, prunes, trout and Pacific salmon. Chile exported more than $4 billion in fruit to Philadelphia in 2014, according to the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce.
Chile Week (Oct.24-28) is meant to reach out to imaginative individuals with deep pockets, participants said.
"Chile Week is a way to attract new investments, as local investors are able to attend seminars and business lunches, where they can find out about the opportunities in Chile, as the U.S. is our second largest trade partner in the world," said Juan Gabriel Valdes, Chile’s ambassador to the United States.
Source: metro.us
