Doelstelling voor groei: eurocommissaris Tajani bevordert economische banden tussen Chili en de EU (en)

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani i will travel tomorrow to Chile accompanied by a large business delegation composed of 49 representatives of 40 European companies and industry associations, from 9 EU Member States.

In total, these organisations and their member companies have a combined turnover of some € 350 billion (more than the GDP of Austria). The business associations alone represent 17 000 companies which generate more than two million jobs, either directly or indirectly. This mission, in conjunction with yesterday's visit to Peru, is part of the series of "Missions for Growth" to help European enterprises, in particular small and medium sized enterprises, to better profit from fast growing emerging international markets. The two day visit will reinforce partnerships to help industry and SMEs to fully exploit the potential for commercial relations between Chile and the EU.

While in Chile, Vice President Tajani will hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfredo Moreno Charme, and the Minister for Economy, Trade and Tourism, Pablo Longueira Montes. These meetings are intended to deepen the implementation of the political agreements Vice President Tajani signed in June 2011 with the Chilean authorities on SME development, industrial cooperation, tourism, space, raw materials and standardisation (all agreements). He will also focus on encouraging the promotion of clusters and business networks to boost SME internationalisation.