Chile opens a business representative office in Bavaria

MUNICH Chile is strengthening its presence in Bavaria, in Germany and also on the European market with a business representative office in Munich. The representative office is operated by ProChile, the Chilean government’s export promotion company. Bavaria's State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Roland Weigert, invited the Chilean ambassador to Germany, Cecilia Mackenna, the director of ProChile, Jorge O’Ryan, and the Bavarian representative for South America, Pamela Valdivia, to the Ministry of Economic Affairs for an official opening ceremony for the new offices. Bavarian institutions, chambers, associations and companies were invited by the head of the newly opened office, Dr. Ing. Marcelo Villagran, to learn about what ProChile has to offer and the opportunities on the Chilean market.

Weigert: “Chile is one of Bavaria's most important business partners in Latin America. We have been represented by our representative office for South America in Chile since 2013. We are delighted that ProChile will now be working on intensifying the relationship from Bavaria. You have to cooperate to prosper. It is particularly important in times of increasing compartmentalisation and trade conflicts to expand cooperation with reliable and natural partners such as Chile, said Weigert. A very clear yes to fair and sustainable free trade is therefore important. The trade volume between Bavaria and Chile totalled EUR 396 million in 2017, and more than 500 Bavarian companies have business relationships with the economically and politically stable country with 18 million inhabitants.

Chile is particularly interested in collaborations with science and education, emphasised the Chilean ambassador to Germany, Cecilia Mackenna. “Today is the beginning of a new chapter in Bavarian-Chilean relations.” In addition, the Chilean government and ProChile want to use Bavaria’s strength as a business location, particularly when it comes to Industry 4.0. Partnering with companies and institutions in Bavaria. “Bavaria is undoubtedly the region's number one in terms of entrepreneurship and provides a great opportunity for Chile and its plans for greater internationalisation. We want to strengthen the shared value chain,” said Jorge O’Ryan, director of ProChile.

ProChile can be reached in Munich on +49 176 221 555 30. Information and contact details for the Bavarian Representative Office for South America can be found at www.bavariaworldwide.de/chile.