CHILEAN TRADE DELEGATION RESEARCH WAY FORWARD FOR FALKLANDS’ COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
By J Brock (FINN)
A group of Chilean businessmen and women have visited the Islands from 16 to 23 November. The group was hosted by FIDC, supported by the Chamber of Commerce. They have come to explore trade opportunities and follow up on contacts they already have made.
Zachary Franklin, Head of FIDC was keen to see Chilean shipping come to the Falklands via Uruguay, where it is more cost effective than shipping everything through the UK. While at a reception held at the Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman, Mr Mike Summers, mentioned that Chilean Wine – a favourite choice of many Islanders, was shipped from the UK. The freight costs have increased and no doubt some Delegation Members will be inquiring about freight costs from Montevideo.
It has been a few years since trade between Chile and the Falklands had waned, mainly due to Communications – air, shipping and internet – as well as some banking issues.
“We can overcome most of the banking problems by procuring a Falklands partner,” said Mr Peier Macleanm, President of the Chilean Corriedale Association.
Besides sheep, Mr Macleanm is a farmer who is actively looking for someone interested in trading in vegetables, especially potatoes and other root crops – an area in which he has diversified. Besides being a farmer, Mr Maclean is a member of the Rio Varda Community Council.
Some members of the delegation want to renew links between Punta Arenas and the Falklands.
“We used to have Chilean Products here,” said MLA Gavin Short to Falklands Radio. Most of that trade was done on the M/V SCOUT, that used to run between the Falklands and Punta Arenas. MLA short put the decline in trade down to the volumes needed to make it viable.
Accompanying the Delegation was Mr Eduardo Sepulveda, Director of “El Libro” newspaper and Chairman of the Chilean National Press Association. He covered the Trade Delegation for the Chilean media.
There was a general agreement that telecommunications needed to improve and be brought to the standard that is common in Chile. With trade and Falklands’ partners expanding, the transfer of data will increase, and telecommunications needs to keep pace with it.
While in Stanley the delegation visited St Mary’s Catholic Church, the Market Garden, and Gilbert House as well as Government House, Darwin Cemetery and Blue Beach Cemetery.
