| Web Site Tools |
|
|
|
|
| Company Info |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Industry Info |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Foods For Trade |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other Links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chile
| Economy Overview |
| Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began a slow recovery in 2003, growing 3.2% and accelerated to 5.8% in 2004. GDP growth benefited from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign direct investment. Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly high. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. |
 |
| Economy Statistics |
| Exports: |
$29.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) [?]
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
|
Export
Commodities: |
copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
|
Export
Partners: |
US 14%, Japan 11.4%, China 9.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Netherlands 5.1%, Brazil 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004) [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
|
| Imports: |
$22.53 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) [?]
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
|
Import
Commodities: |
petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of imported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
|
Import
Partners: |
Argentina 17%, US 14%, Brazil 11.2%, China 7.4% (2004) [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
|
|
|
|
| AmCham Chile |
| Address: |
Av Kennedy 5735, of. 201 Torre Poniente Las Condes |
| Phone: |
(56-2) 2909700 |
| Fax: |
(56-2) 2120515 |
| Website: |
http://www.amchamchile.cl/ |
|
|
|
|
