Jorge ORyan Prochile

ProChile director Jorge O'Ryan

ProChile has reopened its commercial office in Munich in a bid to strengthen its trading links with Bavaria.

The German region is a magnet for technology entrepreneurs and Chile is looking to boost exports of raw materials such as copper and lithium, as well as value-added products and services including fruit and food.

“Chile is one of Bavaria’s most important business partners in Latin America. We offer political stability and security for investors, and provide the ideal point of entry for German companies looking to access the Trans Pacific Partnership alliance,” said ProChile’s director Jorge O’Ryan.

ProChile is currently undergoing a review of its global network of 56 offices, which is due to be completed in April and could lead to further openings over the short term.

Speaking to Fruitnet at this month’s Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, O’Ryan noted that the rise in vegetarianism and veganism has been a boon for the country’s fruit producers, who are looking to develop their organic production in response to the healthy food trend.

He pointed out that Chile was ideally positioned to meet growing international demand thanks to its highly visible country brand and extensive access to global markets. “We are the country with the most free trade agreements in the world – the 26 deals we have in place cover two-thirds of the world’s population and 83 per cent of global GDP,” he said.