At Santiago airport after zooming down a bit of Route 5. This is the road that goes the whole length of Chile. It makes Route 66, of Rolling Stones fame, seem tame
We were returning from visiting a BG LNG regasification plant on the Pacific coast (see above ). Whilst there I saw a ship discharging LNG from a plant I saw near Alexandria in Egypt four months ago. So I had seen both ends of the process. BG are one of Britain's finest companies and is involved in innovative energy infrastructure work worldwide. It was good to see them completing a plant ahead of schedule vital to supplying Chile's energy security
In Valparaiso I had lunch with three vice admirals from the Chilean navy. They were like all Chileans I have met - urbane, elegant, well-informed. Chilean and British naval practices are similar, dating back two hundred years to the time of Thomas Cochrane.
This morning, I visited Antofagasta, a Chilean mining and transport company. It is the oldest company listed on the London Stock Exchange dating from 1888 - now they are mining in Pakistan and Zambia as well. They are becoming a global company and we can help them in third countries.
I did a couple of media interviews. One of the journalists had been to Birmingham university. I always like to do media overseas .
The ancient links with Chile are everywhere. Our Honorary Consul in Valparaiso is a delightful man. He's called Iain Hardy, and to meet him you would swear he was more British than most Britons. But he is not. Born, raised, educated in Chile. This is echoed in geographical names such as Port Williams, shops such as "Alessandro Walker" - and lots of towns called Cochrane.
We need to build on these old and newer links wherever we can. The emotions of social historical links are good ones which lead to commercial links.
I am about to board a flight to Lima. Peru is a fascinating country and I am pleased to be going to yet another country where the UK is 'the second largest investor'. The only fly in the ointment is arriving at midnight or later at the ambassadorial Residence
3 comments
Comment by Chris Wall posted on
Andrew,
You will have heard that the British were even responsible for setting up the Fire Brigade in Valparaiso! Yes - tremendouly warm feelings for "Made in Britain" all over South America. We can capitalise on that - but should not 'depend' on it. As the old-guard fades away, they give way to younger professionals who take a harder-nosed approach to supplier selection. Then, of course, we achieve success by promoting our leading-edge technologies and services!
Chris
Business Specialist (Brazil)
Comment by Gardner Hamilton posted on
It was a pleasure to meet all 4 of the gentlemen in the above photograph and equally a pleasure to take the photo. Yes I have a couple of images of the valparaiso fire service men with the union jack on here seeves while shaking hands with HRH Prince Charles..all good stuff !
Good Luck in your travels.
Comment by Andrew Cahn posted on
Great to meet a true example of globslisation Gardner. A Scot, married to a Chilean in New York, now focussed on that British strength, Creative Industries. Valparaiso a fascinating port city, once the haunt of British sailors