Office of Governor Tom Corbett
Governor Tom Corbett today announced the signing of a Sister Chambers Agreement to establish a strong partnership between Pennsylvania and Chile to promote mutual business growth and job creation.
The Sister Chambers Agreement was signed by the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce in Greater Philadelphia (AMCHAM), the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Santiago Chamber of Commerce.
“The connections between Pennsylvania and Chile are deep and this jobs first mission and today’s signed agreement will continue to strengthen those ties,” Corbett said. “The partnership formed between these highly regarded chambers of commerce will enhance trade and promote mutual investment in both Pennsylvania and Chile.”
The Sister Chambers Agreement focuses on joint cooperation and provides provisions to promote business for common development. The agreement calls for the exchange of legal, financial and economic information that will enhance the business relationship of Pennsylvania and Chilean companies. It also provides opportunities for businesses to participate in fairs and exhibitions in Santiago and Pennsylvania.
“The agreement signed today solidifies what is already an important trade relationship between Pennsylvania and Chile,” PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr said. “By working more closely together to develop new opportunities and identify and overcome any potential barriers, we can build on the mutually beneficial economic opportunities that have resulted from our partnership.”
“The agreement being signed today is the culmination of decades of sincere friendship and extraordinary business success between the Republic of Chile and the Greater Philadelphia region,” AMCHAM of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Ricardo Maldonado said. “New initiatives will be put into action bringing even greater prosperity to the business communities of our two countries.”
The agreement was signed during an event at the Santiago Chamber of Commerce. Corbett and members of the delegation addressed a group comprised of Santiago Chamber directors, members of Chilean Trade Associations, Chilean companies and American companies with a presence in Chile.
The announcement continued the Governor’s Jobs 1st Mission to Brazil and Chile. The mission is focused on growing the Pennsylvania economy and creating jobs through export promotion, investment attraction, building relationships to increase port traffic, international student recruitment and promoting Pennsylvania as a world class destination for tourism.
The three-city, two-country mission, privately funded by Team Pennsylvania Foundation, is scheduled for April 6-16 and will include stops in the Brazilian cities of São Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, along with Santiago, Chile.
Last week, Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett announced that a Brazilian music ensemble, led by composer and performer Paulo Padilha, will participate in a week-long educational and performance residency in Pennsylvania in the fall of 2014.
On Tuesday, Corbett announced that Wipro Infrastructure Engineering will establish a new U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Franklin County and create 74 new jobs.
On Wednesday, Corbett announced the signing of a joint declaration with Governor Sérgio de Oliveira Cabral Santos of the State of Rio de Janeiro to strengthen trade ties and develop new economic opportunities for job creation in both states.
On Thursday, Corbett announced that NovaTech LLC will establish a joint marketing alliance with Grupo SCR to bring its automation technology to the Brazilian market, broadening the company’s international operations in South America.
This week, Corbett and Mrs. Corbett announced a five-week residency program for two Chilean artists in Pennsylvania and two commonwealth artists in Chile. As a part of the exchange, two Chilean printmakers will exhibit with Artist Image Resource in Pittsburgh, and two Pennsylvania printmakers will exhibit with Taller 99 in Santiago, Chile.
For more information about the governor’s Jobs First Mission to Brazil and Chile, visit www.paglobal.org.
Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130416-909999.html