Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile

Today Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heraldo Muñoz, inaugurated the "20 years of the Chile-Canada FTA" seminar at the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrating the two decades of this agreement.

"These have been 20 years of an extremely successful agreement", affirmed Secretary of State in his speech. He highlighted the treaty and also the strong bonds that tie both countries together. "Our countries have a close friendship based on shared values and built through more than seventy-five years of diplomatic relationships and dozens of joint initiatives and projects". In this sense, he emphasized both states have "advanced towards more economic integration using mechanisms such as a unilateral opening of the economy, and multilateral, bilateral and regional negotiations to benefit all citizens".

On the Agreement, Minister recalled "the FTA negotiation with Canada was the first negotiation with a developed country. This was a starting point to later treaties negotiated by Chile".He added that the Treaty had another novelty. Now it includes parallel agreements related to the environment and labour "reflecting the shared concern of Canada and Chile on a sustainable development".

The opportunity reminisces the recent visit of President Michelle Bachelet to Canada this June. Both countries subscribed to modifications on the FTA seeking to modernize and reinforce the economic-trade relationship. "The first agreement incorporates two new chapters in the Treaty: one on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and another one on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), as well as modifications on the Public Purchases Chapter. The second agreement includes modifications on the Investments Chapter, and adds a new chapter on Gender and Trade".

"With this, we create new opportunities for our exporters, investors, and workers. And we also promote women's' economic empowerment", stated Minister Muñoz.

At the end, Minister Heraldo Muñoz affirmed "Chile and Canada will keep on working together, conscious of how distance can be shortened by political will and our quality as partners during so many years. We have been partners working on progress, development, and welfare of our people".

Canada is the tenth trade partner of Chile. Since the entering into force of the FTA, the trade has grown an average 5,7% per year reaching 1,600 million dollars in 2016. Between January and April of this year, the trade with Canada has grown 37% compared to the same period of time last year reaching 769 million dollars these four months and increasing 40% of exports and 30% of imports.