In the framework of its Africa Plan, the Directorate of Middle East and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with ProChile organized the seminar titled "It's time for Africa," in order to bring Chile closer to that continent.
The Deputy Director General for Bilateral Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Francisco Marambio, welcomed the holding of this seminar as an important element within the Africa Plan conducted by the Foreign Ministry. "We have not only developed a series of actions aimed at strengthening the relationship with the African continent creating opportunities for a political, commercial and cooperation dialogue, but also to raise awareness among Chileans of the reality of this area, rich with opportunities and challenges," he said.
The central theme of this seminar was the opportunities that Africa provides for food exports. Chilean shipments of this item to that continent grew an average of 32 percent per year between the years 2008 and 2012, leading the growth of that sector comparing to other geographic areas. Between 2011 and 2012 there was an increase of 37 percent, going from US$113 million to US$155 million.
This seminar is part of a number of policies aimed at strengthening the relations of our country with the African continent. An example of this has been demonstrated by the unilateral reduction of tariffs for all the African less developed countries; the aid provided to Somalia and Ethiopia through the Chile Fund against Hunger and Poverty; our country's active participation in the Africa - South America Summits and the Africa Plan, a project that through various actions such as increasing diplomatic and trade presence of Chile in the area, seeks to collaborate in this integration process.
The seminar concluded inviting businesspersons to use the different tools that ProChile has at its disposal , among them a network of over 50 trade offices worldwide, competitive funds for the promotion of exports , specific instruments for food and wine, and innovation.
On the occasion were also present the South African Ambassador to our country, Hilton Fischer, and the President of the Chilean South African Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Santiago Montt.
Africa, an everyday more attractive market
According to what the presenters said, Africa represents a market with a great potential since the imports in this sector represent 12 percent of the total imported by the continent. Over the last 10 years, African food imports grew at an average annual rate of 19 percent, going from importing of US$15, 738 million in 2003 to US$64, 357 million in 2012.
Mariela Díaz, International Deputy Director of ProChile, said that in 2012 Chilean exports to Africa reached US$329 million, a 30 percent more with respect to 2011, when they reached US$254.8 million. "Of the US$329 million, 47 percent (US$155 million) corresponded to food exports, being the ten main products mackerel, apples, bottled red wine, poultry, pork, butter, dehydrated fruit, pulses, bottled white wine and cuttlefish, " she said.
Chile is positioned as the 42nd supplier of food to Africa. Regarding markets, Chile is the main supplier of dried plums to Egypt (with imports of US$1.7 million); the first supplier of frozen mackerel to Nigeria (US$94.5 million); the second supplier of bottled wine to Kenya (US$1.4 million). In South Africa, Chile is the forth supplier of fresh salmon (US$145, 000) and the second in canned seafood (US$ 1.5 million).