智利 香港在拉丁美洲的可靠夥伴

智利 香港在拉丁美洲的可靠夥伴

智利駐港澳領事 馬里奧·阿爾塔薩(Mario Ignacio Artaza)( 前排中) 與總領事館團隊成員合照。

智利共和國位於南美洲西南部，國土面積達七十五萬六千六百二十六平方公里，現有人口約一千六百七十萬，首都是聖地亞哥。每年的九月十八日是該國的國慶日。

二零一二年九月，智利和香港這兩個在太平洋的經濟體簽署了雙邊自由貿易協議，而該協議只需談判了三輪便達成。這是香港與首個拉丁美洲國家 – 世界最自由的經濟體簽署這項協議，旨在進軍充滿活力的新興市場。在過去兩年，香港特別行政區行政長官在香港立法會作施政報告上，把智利確定為可靠的夥伴。

智利和香港都違抗「距離」的定義，通過附加值的具體措施以加強關係，併合社會各界關係，建立有形的元素。充滿動感的智利 – 香港關係是需要在許多方面互動的，無論你與一位智利商務協會 (香港及澳門)的會員約會、或參觀位於香港中環八號碼頭新落成的香港海事博物館內展出的智利首艘環航世界的海軍訓練艦「巴克達諾將軍號」的黃銅鈴及艦隻模型、或享受由客席廚師Sebastian Escudero在香港賽馬會食品廣場精心炮製的智利菜餚，智利都是在香港展示其持續的創新和促進在港的表現。

智利食品在港受歡迎
自智利與香港簽署了雙邊自由貿易協議，並在短期內生效後，智利在香港確有很多吸引力之機會，並使香港成為智利食品進入中國內地及其他亞洲城市的重要地。

近年，智利是全球食品工業新興的最重要行業相關者之一，並期望在二零二零年躋身為十大出口地(現智利是第十七位)。在二零一二年，智利食品及飲品出口至世界各地的總金額達一百三十七億美元。以上這些成就是要通過由智利的公營和私營企業共同開展和承諾的工作。智利把自己定位於安全，符合國際市場、特別是香港嚴格標準的可靠食品供應商。

智利成功的方法之一是通過安排人手去組織「智利風味」活動，從而提升其國際地位。為此，智利食品及飲品企業家加入貿易代表團向其他業界人士，包括進口商、經銷商、超級市場、餐廳連鎖店的代表等會面、拜會和建立商業關係。「2013智利風味亞洲巡迴展」將包括香港，並訂於二零一三年十一月十一日至十二日在君悅酒店舉行，屆時將會有多場活動，旨在加強智利食品產品的進口商、分銷商及其他相關公司的關係。智利食品廣受香港消費者的接受和信任，從藍莓至櫻桃、鮮食葡萄至蘋果、火雞和雞肉、世界一流的葡萄酒等，智利均可大量提供。

智利漁產
智利的漁業和水產養殖業在過去三十年來呈增長指數。憑藉綿長的太平洋海岸線的天然優勢，該行業正聚焦於質量和產品的持續性，並成為開拓新市場的關鍵。在二零一二年期間，該業出口至日本、美國、巴西及其主要市場的海產品金額達四十億美元。

在水產養殖業方面，現時智利是世界第二大鮭魚生產商和最大鱒魚生產商，而且還有許多的魚類和貝類產品出口至世界最具競爭力的市場，當然是包括香港在內。

智利豬肉
馳名品牌「智利豬肉」正由ProChile聯同「智利豬肉生產商會」(ASPROCER)積極發展，這公私營夥伴組合正尋求把智利的豬肉在亞洲市場樹立新的形象。

「智利豬肉」是一種新的落實和加強的策略，旨在改進其向其他市場參與者的競爭地位。現時智利的豬肉在中國市場取得了穩步發展。

智利堅果
在過去十五年間，智利的乾果作物有巨大的變化；核桃、杏仁和榛子的產量有所增加，智利已成為這些產品在南半球的最大生產商。

智利堅果在過去三年的出口價值成倍增加，從二零零九年的一億三千萬美元增至二零一二年的二億七千三百萬美元。增幅最大的是核桃出口，從八千萬美元增至二零一二年的二億美元。充滿自然風味和豐富礦物質是智利堅果的與眾不同特點。

名廚Sebastian Escudero 烹調智利著名菜式。

香港智利葡酒潮
智利是全球葡酒業的中堅成員，由於重視其產品的質量，因此獲國際認同和在市場具領導地位。憑藉先進的工藝技術和豐厚的知識以及肥沃的土地，使智利葡酒業的發展備受消費者讚賞和認為是物超所值。

智利業界為近十年設定一個目標：成為最大的優質葡酒生產商和可持續的新世界，在二零二零年的出口總額達三十億美元。智利的出口商和生產商為推廣其葡酒，因而經常訪港，參加一些展會從而聆聽和接受進口商、分銷商和消費者的寶貴意見。

「智利葡酒」最近由其會員組成委員會，旨在更改智利葡萄酒原產地(D.O.)名稱，從而完整地顯示該國：哥斯達黎加、Entre Cordilleras和安第斯山脈等的地理多元化。

一個偉大旅遊體驗目的地
智利是一多樣化之國，充滿天然的對比。該國位於南美洲的西岸，而智利的地理環境與其他世界目的地有所不同。該國的領土位於美洲、南極洲和大洋洲等三個大陸。這是一個狹長的國家，其寬度由九十公里至四百七十公里，長度是四千三百三十公里。全球只有這個國家是在沙漠、林地、湖泊、火山、峽灣和白雪皚皚的群山同時進行日出和日落。因為智利是一個海洋國家，所以太平洋是其經濟發展的主要關鍵。

此外，智利著名的旅遊目的地甚多，包括迷人的阿塔卡馬沙漠、神秘的復活島、令人難忘的智利巴塔哥尼亞等，而位於智利巴塔哥尼亞的Torres del Paine國家公園於一九七八年被聯合國教科文組織評為「世界生物圈保護區」。

值得注意的是，香港特區護照持有者前往智利是享免簽證待遇的，香港遊客可取道悉尼、奧克蘭、洛杉磯、紐約、巴黎或法蘭克福前往智利。LAN航空公司是首家把波音787飛機引入美洲的航空公司，並為乘客提供眾多的優質服務。

一個值得信賴的合作夥伴
經合組織、世界銀行和經濟學人訊息部等引證智利是南美最穩定、最安全、一個良好的商業夥伴和促進自由貿易以及積極尋求與其他國家和貿易集團(包括澳洲、加拿大、美國、墨西哥、歐盟、中國、日本、新加坡和韓國等)連繫的開放國家。智利是世界上已簽署自由貿易協議最多的國家之一，是香港在亞太經合組織以至世界貿易組織等多邊舞台的堅定夥伴。智利參與發展新的貿易協議計有跨太平洋夥伴關係(TPP)，與哥倫比亞、墨西哥和秘魯組成太平洋聯盟等。

據智利中央銀行資料顯示，二零一二年該國的國內生產總值獲百分之五點六的增幅，而二零一三年預測可獲百分之四點五至五點五的增長。智利是全球第七最自由經濟體和拉丁美洲最具競爭力之國。

在二十五年來，外國直接投資(FDI)為智利的增長和發展起決定性作用，在二零一二年，在智利的外國直接投資金額達三百零三億二千三百萬美元，比前年增加百分之三十二點二。

在二零一二年的外國直接投資當中，有百分之三十五把利潤再作投資、百分之三十三債務和百分之三十二是權益。在二零一二年，外國直接投資佔國民生產總額的百分之十一點三，創下該國的歷史紀錄。因此，外國直接投資在二零一零至二零一二年佔國民生產總值平均為百分之九點二，比二零零六至二零零九年的百分之七有所提升。

智利在國際舞台
貿易協議為智利在世界各地帶來逾四億三千萬的具潛力消費者。迄今為止，智利已與六十個國家簽署了二十二個此類協議。如今，智利可進入貿易優惠的人口約佔世界人口的百分之六十二，百分之九十三的出口到智利的國家會有一些關稅優惠。

通過堅定地致力於透明度、問責性及良好管理，使智利獲得無數的第一。智利被認同是一個具全球責任意識及願意去追求為所有人帶來繁榮的夥伴關係國家。智利是一民主國家，二零一三年十一月十七日將會舉行下屆總統和議會選舉。

智利是旨在通過「啟動智利」去吸引初創企業，並成為初創企業的指路明燈。有關詳情，請瀏覽以下網頁：www.startupchile.org

駱勵生

--------------------------------------------------

CHILE: HONG KONG’S FIRST IN LATIN AMERICA
In September 2012, Chile and Hong Kong jointly took a giant leap forward in terms of broadening the scope of an already thriving relationship between two economies of the Pacific, by signing a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. The Chile-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement was achieved after only three rounds of negotiation. It is the first for Hong Kong with a country in Latin America, a tangible sign that the world’s freest economy is aiming to tap into vibrant emerging markets. Chile has been has been identified as a credible partner for Hong Kong in the last two Chief Executive Policy Addresses to the Hong Kong Legislative Council.

Chile and Hong Kong are defying the definition of the term “distance”, through concrete measures which add value to a powerful relationship, built upon tangible elements which incorporate all sectors of society in the equation.

The dynamic Chile – Hong Kong relationship entails many areas of interaction and is one which effectively never stands still. Whether you are engaged in a meeting with one of the members of the Chilean Business Association of Hong Kong and Macau, or visiting the newly inaugurated Hong Kong Maritime Museum in Central’s Pier 8, where the brass bell as well as a scale model of the Chilean Navy’s first Training Ship to circumnavigate the world, the “General Baquedano” is currently housed, or enjoying the Chilean Menu prepared at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Food Plaza by guest chef Sebastian Escudero, Chile is continuously innovating when it comes to promoting and making its presence known in Hong Kong.

Chilean Foods entice Hong Kong
Chile has identified many attractive opportunities in Hong Kong, in particular following the signing of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement that is to enter into force in the short term. Hong Kong remains a vital link for the entry of Chilean foods into China and other Asian markets.

In recent years, Chile has emerged as one of the most important stakeholders in the food industry worldwide, hoping to be among the top 10 exporters in this sector by 2020 (currently Chile stands at 17th). In 2012, Chilean food and beverage exports to the world totaled US$13.7 billion.

All these achievements can only be attained through to the commitment and the work undertaken jointly by the Chilean public and private sectors. Chile has managed to position itself as a reliable supplier of safe, traceable foods which meet strict standards required by international markets, in particular Hong Kong.

One of the successful tools which Chile employs to increase its international standing is by organizing "Flavors of Chile". In this instance, Chilean food and beverage entrepreneurs joining business trade missions, meet, greet and establish business relations with importers, distributors, supermarkets and restaurants chain representatives, amongst other stakeholders.
The route Flavors of Chile Asia 2013 will include Hong Kong this year, as on 11 and 12th November, the Grand Hyatt Hotel will be the venue for numerous activities aimed at empowering Chilean food products amongst importers, distributors and other related enterprises.

Chilean foods are widely accepted and trusted by Hong Kong consumers. From cherries to blueberries, table grapes to apples, turkey and chicken meat, world-class wines, Chile has much to offer.

Chilean Seafood
Chilean fishery and aquaculture have grown exponentially over the last 30 years.

Coupled with the natural advantages of Chile’s lengthy Pacific Ocean coastline, industry efforts have focused on the quality and sustainability of products, which has been the key to reach new markets. During 2012, the industry exported close to US$4 billion in seafood, with Japan, the United States and Brazil's as its main destination markets.

In aquaculture, Chile is the world’s second largest producer of salmon and the first of trout, with many more fish and shellfish products gaining momentum in terms of exports to the most competitive markets in the world, certainly including Hong Kong.

Chile Pork
The sectoral brand "Chile Pork" is being actively developed by ProChile in conjunction with the Trade Association of Pork Producers from Chile – ASPROCER. This private/public sector partnership seeks to position a new image of Chilean pork in the Asian market.

Using a new implementation and strengthening strategy "Chile Pork", the industry aims to improve its competitive position with respect to other market participants. Chilean pork has made steady advances in the Chinese market.

Chilean nuts
During the past 15 years, dried fruits crops have gone through a tremendous transformation in Chile. An increase in production has been seen in walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Chile has emerged as the largest producer of these in the Southern hemisphere.

Chilean nut exports have doubled in value over the last three years, increasing from US$ 130 million in 2009 to US$ 273 million in 2012. The largest percentage increase is given by the walnut exports, which increased from US$ 80 million to US$ 200 million in 2012. Full of natural flavors and a rich source of minerals, Chilean nuts make a positive difference.

Chilean Wines are a hit in Hong Kong!
Chile is a consolidated member of the global wine industry. Internationally acclaimed and a leading market presence speaks of a competitive industry which is aware of the quality of its products. It is truly value for money and consumers appreciate the development of the Chilean wine industry, with state of the art technology coupled with the knowledge of the rich, fertile Chilean landscape.

This Chilean industry has set a goal for this decade: to become the largest producer of premium wines and sustainable new world, with total exports to reach US$3 billion by 2020. Chilean exporters and producers frequently visit Hong Kong in order to promote their wines, participating in initiatives and fairs which receive favorable reviews from importers, distributors and consumers.

Wines of Chile has recently formed a committee with its members, aimed at changing the denomination of origin (D.O.) of Chilean wines in order to show the full geographic diversity of the country: Costa, Entre Cordilleras and Andes.

Costa
The Chilean coastline is significant, but its role in the wine world is also dependent upon the cooling effects of the Humboldt Current that moves northward from southern Chile and makes the sea particularly cold. When the current hits the coastline in northern Chile, the effect produces fog despite the total absence of clouds, and therefore prevents the abundant rays of sun that shine over much of the country from reaching the vineyards, therefore helping the grapes to ripen properly.

Entre Cordilleras
As its name states, the geographic indication “Entre Cordilleras” is the strip of land that runs between the Andes and the Coastal Mountains, the two mountain ranges which provide natural borders to the east and west respectively. This natural barrier is especially important. It is precisely there where some of Chile’s more renowned wines originate—mostly from flavor rich red varieties.

The Entre Cordilleras indication presents striking differences from north to south. In the Coquimbo Region at the north, where the two mountain ranges nearly touch, is located Punitaqui. There, the vineyards that were traditionally destined for the Chilean Pisco industry are giving way to small organic productions of the likes of Syrah and Carmenere.

Slightly further south is Aconcagua, another of Chile’s extensive wine producing regions. This is where the two mountain ranges begin to separate and give way to what we now recognize as Entre Cordilleras. This is one of Chile’s oldest winegrowing zones. Elegant and fruity Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grow well here and produce wines with remarkable ability for bottle aging.

Andes
In addition to affecting the climate, the tremendous size and altitude of the Andes, which lessen as we travel southward, also creates a major factor in preventing the existence of disease and pests. The fact that Chile is phylloxera free has enabled it to develop Carmenere, a unique grape that has become the country’s signature variety.

The Andes Mountains are important to Chilean wine production for a number of reasons. On the one hand, vineyards are planted at the foot of these hills where there is good ventilation, which in turn controls temperatures, protects against frosts, and creates a big variation between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This is essential in defining the character of each variety.

Furthermore, the types of soils at the base of the mountains have a significant influence on the wine. These soils, that are generally unsuitable for mainstream agriculture, present a particular opportunity for winegrowing, as grapevines adapt well to this type of terrain that regulates their growth and allows the vines to concentrate on high quality fruit production.

Chile: a destination for great tourism experiences
Chile is a diverse country, full of natural contrasts. It is situated in the western coast of South America. Chile’s geography makes all the difference from other destinations in the world; the highlight is its three-continental location with territory in the America’s, Antarctica, and Oceania. It is a long and narrow country which goes from 90 to 470 kms. wide and its length is 4.330 kms. It is the only country in the world where the sun rises and sets at the same time, in the desert; in woodlands, lakes and volcanoes, fjords and snow capped mountains. The Pacific Ocean is a key aspect of its economic development as Chile is a maritime nation.

The fascinating Atacama Desert
In the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert is a veritable park of natural wonders offering visitors from around the world a glimpse into the contrasts of nature. Within a small stretch, it is possible to observe volcanoes, massive salt flats and lakes, geysers, dunes, hot springs and pools, and a varied selection of wildlife. The Atacama Desert has been the venue chosen by NASA as well as by Hollywood filmmakers, for the radiance of its skyline and the brilliance of its mineral rich terrain. It is also the site for numerous scientific endeavours, in particular in the field of astronomy. Recently, the world’s most advanced astronomical research centre, ALMA, was inaugurated and it is already producing some wonderful insights into space.

The enigmatic Easter Island
Easter Island is a splendorous wonder for humanity. It is the most remote inhabited island on the planet whose original native name is Rapa Nui. It offers the testimony of a living culture of Polynesian origin, responsible for creating immense stone figures called moais, and a unique cultural background. It is a tourism wonderland rich in history, tradition and natural beauty, with the Pacific Ocean bathing its coasts.

Memorable Chilean Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park is located in the lower end of the Chilean Patagonia. It was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. It entails a touching ecosystem which includes lakes, glaciers, rivers, vast prairies, cascades, forests and its particular granite towers, which have positioned Chile as one of the best natural destinations in the planet, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine. Worth a site and, of course, many wonderful memories as one should consider a visit to Chile’s Antarctic Territory.

Visa-Free travel to Chile
No Visa is needed for HKSAR Passport holders in order to visit Chile. Hong Kong travellers may fly to Chile via a number of destinations including Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles, New York, Paris or Frankfurt. LAN airlines has achieved many distinctions for its service quality and it was the first carrier to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the America’s.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Chile: a trusted partner for entrepreneurship
The OECD, the World Bank and the Economist Intelligence Unit all cite Chile as South America’s most stable, safest, a good business partner and an open country that promotes free trade and actively seeks ties with other nations and trade blocs (including Australian, Canada, the United States, Mexico, the European Union, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, amongst others). Chile is the country which has signed the most Free Trade Agreements in the world, and is a steadfast partner of Hong Kong in the multilateral arena represented in APEC, as well as in the World Trade Organization. Chile is participating in the development of new trade agreements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership and along with Colombia, Mexico and Peru, comprise the Pacific Alliance.

According to the Central Bank of Chile, the GDP of the country grew by 5.6% in 2012. For 2013 there is projected a growth between 4.5 and 5.5%. Chile is the world’s seventh freest economy and the most competitive in Latin America.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has played a decisive role In Chilean growth and development for 25 years. In 2012, FDI in Chile reached US$30,323 million, up by 32.2% on the previous year.
Out of total FDI in 2012, 35% corresponded to reinvested profits, 33% to debt and 32% to equity. In 2012, FDI as a percentage of GDP, at 11.3%, was also the highest in the country's history. As a result, FDI over GDP averaged 9.2% in 2010-2012, up from 7.0% in 2006-2009.

hile in the International Scene
Trade agreements give Chile access to over 4.3 billion potential consumers around the world. To date, Chile has signed 22 such agreements with 60 countries. Today, Chile access to trade preferences to 62% of the world's population. 93% of exports go to countries with which Chile has some tariff preference.

Chile has attained numerous firsts through a steadfast commitment towards transparency, accountability and good governance. Chile is a country recognized by its sense of global responsibility as well as its willingness to pursue partnerships aimed at bringing about prosperity to all people. It is a democracy which will hold its next Presidential and Parliamentarian elections on 17 November 2013 Chile is aiming to become a beacon for the attraction of startups through the implementation of Start-Up Chile. Visit www.startupchile.org.

QUICK FACTS OF CHILE

Consulate General of Chile in Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR
Unit 1712, Shun Tak Centre, West Tower
168-200 Connaught Road, Central
Tel. (852) 28271826 or (852) 2827 1748