Governor Corbett Inaugurates Greater Philadelphia Chilean Consulate

Consulate Designated Branch Trade Office of ProChile

PHILADELPHIA, July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Less than three months following a successful Jobs First Mission to South America, Governor Tom Corbett today joined federal, state and Chilean officials to inaugurate the Chilean Consulate of Greater Philadelphia and to celebrate its recognition as an official trade office.

For the first time in more than 25 years, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially designated the Consulate in Philadelphia a branch Trade Office of ProChile, the Trade Commission of Chile. The designation is a direct result of the governor's mission to Brazil and Chile. 

"I led a delegation of business, education and tourism leaders to Brazil and Chile to unlock new opportunities for business growth, free trade and job creation," said Corbett. "In less than three months, we have already seen positive results. Having a Chilean Trade Office in Philadelphia will help connect Pennsylvania companies with Chilean markets and attract additional traffic to the port."

The Greater Philadelphia Chilean Consulate, serving the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, will support and protect the rights and interests of the Chilean State and of its nationals in the region. The consulate will also promote the development of economic and cultural relations between Chile and the United States.

The designation as an official trade office expands the role of the consulate to further develop trade through the Delaware River ports in the traditional areas of produce and wine, as well as exploring energy and manufacturing opportunities for Chile. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would also like to have regular dialogue through the Consulate of Chile with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other appropriate entities that work in trade and commerce.

"The addition of a trade office in Philadelphia will strengthen what is already an important trade relationship between Pennsylvania and Chile," Corbett said. "Working more closely together will enhance free trade and promote new investment for both regions."

The inauguration falls on the second day of a three-day visit from key Chilean officials participating in a trade mission to Pennsylvania to learn more about and potentially invest in Pennsylvania's energy industry. The Chilean Delegation visit to Pennsylvania comes as a follow up to the governor's Jobs First mission to South America which included stops in the Brazilian states of Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as Santiago, Chile.

Earlier this week, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce in Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce in Chile. The agreement focuses on joint cooperation in education, energy, mining, agriculture, and science and technology.

Media contacts: 
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Steve Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor