BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN CHILE & THE PHILIPPINES

Chile first established a Consulate in Manila during the time of President Manuel Bulnes, who appointed Fernando Aguirre as Consul on April 11, 1848.  Aguirre headed the mission until 1858.

Within the year 1858 up to mid 1861, there had not been any replacement in the post.   However, during the last years of the presidency of Manuel Montt, don Valentín Jéus was appointed as Vice-Consul in Manila, remaining there until 1866.

After Jéus, the post had been vacant for quite some time.  It was only on December 10, 1888 during the term of Chilean President José Manuel Balmaceda, that the Spanish colonial authorities in Manila approved the assignment of don Emilio Pastor Mora in the Chilean Consulate in Manila, upon which he began his tour of duty in the said post in 1890.

Following the time of Pastor was a long interval that was only filled-in by A. Malrehy in January of 1903.  He headed the Chilean Consulate in Manila until the First World War in 1914. 

Diplomatic relations between both countries were re-established in 1947, only a few months after the Independence of the Philippines.

The first Chilean Embassy opened in Manila in 1967, headed by Ambassador Luis Melo Lecaros, an experienced Chilean Diplomat, to signify the importance Chile attached to the relationship with this country. Relations turned to be political and familiar since his only daughter married a distinguished  Filipino member of the Foreign Service.

Since that time, many ambassadors have served this very pleasant post, always fostering links for a better understanding, a more dynamic trade and exchange of information concerning social, cultural, political and economic topics.

Former Presidents, Joseph Estrada and Eduardo Frei have visited each other's country with important delegations of business people and technological experts. We have agreements in different subjects: a Cultural Agreement (1987), a Memorandum of Understanding in Import and Export of Fruits (1989), an Agreement of Extension of Visas for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders (1990), Fitosanitary Agreement (1994) and finally on Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments (1995)

Chile and the Philippines have advanced a long way. Today, we are not only friends, we are partners in trade and neighbors in the Pacific Rim and well as members of APEC and FOCALAE. We still have a long road to travel and every day we have to contribute to pave the way to reach our destiny. Let us do it together.

CHILE AND THE PHILIPPINES: A RELATION TO DISCOVER

Chile and the Philippines have a long history of economic relations, going back to the Spanish colony, in the eighteenth century, when Chilean minted coins were used in the Manila Trade Fairs and products from the Philippines were well sold in Santiago, as the well known, "Manton de Manila."

Since those years our trade has grown and diversified in other products. Today our bilateral trade has the following figures:


 

The main exports from the Philippines to Chile are: Skirts; men's wear, manufactured from materials imported on consignment basis; finished electrical and electronic machinery; T-shirts; and Carrageen.

On the other side the main exports from Chile to the Philippines are: Copper concentrates; Flours, meals and pellets of fish; Polypropylene; Personal deodorants; Wine; Fresh Fruits (main apples and grapes).

Chile has implemented in the last 20 years an open and friendly legal framework for foreign investments; this has lead into foreign capital flow towards important sectors of the Chilean economy. main investments have gone to the Mining, Forestry, Fishing, Energy and Infrastructure sectors. Between 1999 and 2000, more than 13 billion US dollars of Foreign Direct Investment have been received by Chile. Still Foreign Investors interested can find opportunities in the main sectors of the Chilean economy, and others, like real estate, farming, wine industry, services, telecommunications, etc.

Because of the non-existence of import and export restrictions on goods and services, as well as no capital flow, Chile has become an interesting market for businessmen to freely invest as well as import and export all types of merchandise. Chile is said to be one of the most competitive market places in Latin America due to the low country risk rating and comparative advantages, making Chile a natural gateway to South American markets. It has developed a network of free trade agreements with the region (currently negotiating a FTA with the Unites States and the European Union). The results of these agreements may aid in stimulating and increasing the flow of trade from APEC members to South America. We therefore invite you to discover the potentials of the Chilean economy and do business with us.


For more information visit:
www.prochile.cl