SANTIAGO, Chile, Philippines — Chile's largest business organization, the Camara Nacional de Comercio (CNC), has vowed to assist businesses from the Philippines, especially from Cebu, in order to increase trade and business value between the two countries.

CNC President Carlos Jorquiera made the assurance of assistance during the visit to Chile of the 26-member Cebu trade mission delegation, led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in South America. The delegation was composed mostly of officers and members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Jorquiera said the CNC, or the National Chamber of Commerce of Chile, was organized for the purpose of promoting international trader relations and Cebu's trade mission was very timely considering that Chile is now opening its doors for international businesses.

In Chile, Garcia signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of friendly cooperation relations, or the sisterhood agreement, between Cebu and the Regional Government of Valparaiso aimed at promoting, enhancing, and deepening not just the affairs between the two governments but likewise developing trade, economic and cultural relations.

Jorquiera said the signing of the agreement has potential to become a very effective tool in developing the progress of both countries. The sisterhood agreement comes at a very timely manner as Chile is now opening its doors wider to the Asian market

“The agreement allows us to advance mutual process, knowledge, and commerce which in the future will result to bigger commercial reciprocal benefit,” Jorquiera told the Cebu trade mission delegation.

He said the signing of the agreement, which now officially links Cebu and Chile, is very important as it will serve as a first step in facilitating the exchange of goods and services between the two countries.

“We hope we can be a bridge to commerce and trade between Cebu and Chile as we are also eager in ensuring a more prosperous future for your country and ours,” stressed Jorquiera.

For her part, the Cebu governor said that the signing of the sisterhood agreement between Cebu and Valparaiso is a ground breaking milestone and historic event for Cebu province which has so much in common with Valparaiso in terms of tourism, geography, and dynamic leaders.