Chairpersons Mike Wilson and Brian Zeeb
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Our day began numbingly early with breakfast and checkout at
5:30 a.m. in preparation for a day of travel to Chile. After a pleasant 3-hour flight, we
arrived in Santiago to discover that it was an historic day in this country -- after 25
years of rule General Pinochet was stepping down as general of the Army and was to become
a "Senator for life" in the Chilean government. Armed police with water cannons
lined the downtown streets.
Alvaro, our guide during our stay in Chile, provided helpful information regarding
the industries that drive the country. Known primarily for its copper production, Chile
has become an exporting success story for Latin America. We learned more about its
development during a thorough briefing at the U.S. embassy. |
Upon arrival at the U.S. Embassy, we were briefed by Agricultural
Attache, Richard Blabey; Charles Shapiro, Deputy Chief of Mission, Russel Frisbie, Head of
the Economic Section; and Carlos Poza, Commercial Counselor. After our briefing, Mr.
Blabey escorted us downtown to meet Minister of Agriculture Carlos Mladinic Alonso, who
was very proud to explain Chile's 6-step policy for improving its agriculture.
|
Tom Harms, Ray Bunch & Doug Deninger enter
the Embassy.
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Agriculture Minister Carlos Mladinic Alonso
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Chile has become successful because it has privatized its
economy and pension system. It has a conservative business climate and, unlike other Latin
American countries, its government is fairly free of corruption. Political stability has
also helped. Today 20 percent of Chile's Gross Domestic Product comes from exports
balanced evenly between the U.S., Europe, Asia and other Latin American countries. The
class also learned more about how to do business in Chile during a meeting with lawyer,
Michael Grasty, and Willy Quintana, Managing Director of Grainco, Ltd.
It was another hour's drive before we reached our final destination for the day -
lodging at Vina Tarapaca Guest House at Isla de Maipo. After a fine meal of shrimp bisque,
applesauce and turkey, class members took time to catch up on postcards, and finally, it
was off to bed. |
