L.A. Area Chamber and AmCham Join Together to Enhance Business Opportunities between Los Angeles and Chile

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce expanded trade opportunities for local businesses today when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) based in Santiago, Chile, to promote trade and investment between the two regions.

As part of the agreement, the L.A. Area Chamber and AmCham will encourage, promote and organize trade missions, matchmaking, and networking opportunities for businesses based in Los Angeles and Chile.  The two organizations have also agreed to share foreign trade, investment and economic information.

“This MOU serves to promote trade between the L.A. region and Chile,” said Gary Toebben, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  “In order to lead the way toward recovery, Los Angeles must embrace all international trade opportunities such as this one, which is important to our economy.”

Government officials from California and Chile were on hand to witness the signing of the MOU, which took place during the three-day Americas Competitiveness Forum, held in Santiago, Chile.  The L.A. Area Chamber was part of the official California delegation, which included California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, Dale Bonner; Secretary for Natural Resources, Mike Chrisman; Deputy Secretary for Border Affairs, Ricardo Martinez; Assistant Deputy Secretary for Economic Development, Eloisa Klementich; L.A. Area Chamber Senior Vice President of Global Initiatives, Carlos J. Valderrama and CalChamber Vice President of International Affairs, Susanne Stirling.

The forum, which hosted representatives from more than 34 countries, gave the Chamber an opportunity to meet with high-ranking government officials from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Guatemala.  The program included roundtable discussions, special panels and other meetings that touched on issues such as financing, quality of infrastructure, clean and low-cost energy and the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

The L.A. Area Chamber is proud to note that this partnership in Chile adds another dimension to the strategic alliances it has with the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce, Consejo Empresarial Mexicano (COMCE), and the Korean International Trade Association (KITA).

The L.A. Area Chamber recognizes that the future of our economy is tied to international trade.  The Chamber's Global Initiatives Committee fosters the development and access to foreign markets for local companies and provides global matchmaking services to foreign entities seeking U.S. joint venture partners, distributors and retailers.  More information on the Chamber’s Global Initiatives is available at www.lachamber.org.

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.