Chilean Ambassador Visits Atlanta to Revive Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce

Chilean Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés recently visited Atlanta to revive the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce of the South. During his visit, Valdés met with representatives from major Chilean companies that have collectively invested over $3 billion and employ 1,500 people in the United States.

The companies represented at the meeting included forestry firm CMPC, plywood supplier Arauco, lithium producer SQM, and protein exporter AgroSuper. The ambassador commended the group for its desire to promote Chile, and the executives expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of reviving the chamber.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Chilean embassy, Invest Chile, and ProChile, as well as local Atlanta companies and institutions. The event was the latest in a series of South American engagements for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, highlighting the growing economic ties between the region and Chile.

Why this matters: The revival of the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce of the South signifies the strengthening economic relationship between Chile and the United States, particularly in the South. Chilean companies' substantial investments and job creation in the U.S. emphasize the importance of nurturing bilateral trade and business connections.

In a related development, Chilean lithium producer SQM announced it will invest US$2 million in Atlanta-based startup Movener, which has created a solution to convert diesel trucks into hybrid electric vehicles. The investment is part of SQM's decarbonization focus and a milestone for its venture capital unit, SQM Lithium Ventures.

Movener's hybrid conversion system aims to improve the carbon footprint of transport, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 20-30%. SQM's investment will facilitate the commercial expansion of Movener's solution, which has the potential to adapt to other types of vehicles and mobile equipment, including passenger transportation.

Ambassador Valdés' visit to Atlanta and the investment by SQM in Movener demonstrate the growing economic ties between Chile and the United States, particularly in the areas of sustainable technology and decarbonization efforts. As Chilean companies continue to invest in the U.S., the revival of the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce of the South will play a vital role in nurturing these business relationships and promoting bilateral trade.

Key Takeaways

• Chilean ambassador visited Atlanta to revive Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce.
• Chilean companies have invested $3B and employ 1,500 people in the U.S.
• SQM, a Chilean lithium producer, will invest $2M in Atlanta startup Movener.
• Movener's hybrid conversion system aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
• Revival of the chamber signifies strengthening economic ties between Chile and U.S.