EFTA and Chile Heads of delegation meet

Top left, EFTA spokesperson Mr Erik Andreas Underland, Specialist Director at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. In the center, Mr. Sebastián Gómez, Chile spokesperson, Director General of Bilateral Economic Affairs at the Undersecretariat for International Economic Affairs.

In the framework of the ongoing modernisation process of the EFTA-Chile free trade agreement, EFTA heads led by EFTA spokesperson Mr Erik Andreas Underland, Specialist Director at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries met Mr Sebastián Gómez, General Director of Bilateral Economic Affairs at the Chilean Undersecretariat of International Economic Affairs on 16 May 2022 through videoconference. The aim of the meeting was to take stock of the negotiation process and outline the way forward after the general elections in Chile and the establishment of the new government. Further exchanges will take place at the next round after the summer break.

Since the EFTA-Chile free trade agreement entered into force in 2004, bilateral trade between EFTA and Chile has more than doubled. In 2021 total trade amounted to USD 771 million. EFTA’s exports to Chile amounted to USD 479 million. Pharmaceuticals, machinery, and medical instruments were the main export groups in 2021. Total imports from Chile to the EFTA States amounted to USD 292 million and were mainly made up of inorganic chemicals, fruits and nuts, and fish oil.

Read more about merchandise trade between EFTA and Chile here.