Business risks
Australian companies are advised to spend time investigating the market, obtain professional advice where appropriate and thoroughly investigate the issues in entering the market and establishing business relationships.
Australian firms wishing to operate in this country should commit to the highest level of corporate behaviour and familiarise themselves with Australia's law and penalties pertaining to bribery of foreign officials.
Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime. Australian individuals and companies can be prosecuted in Australia for bribing foreign officials when overseas. Further information on the regulations governing bribery of foreign public officials is available.
For further information on frauds, scams, personal and asset security, intellectual property protection and other business risks please visit www.austrade.gov.au/Legal-issues/default.aspx
Intellectual property protection
Chile has signed a large number of free trade agreements of which intellectual property protection is a structural component. Although Chile is moving in the right direction to promote innovation as the key to sustained long-term growth, it still faces important challenges regarding the proper protection of intellectual property rights.
Manufacturers and traders are strongly advised to patent their inventions and register their trademarks in Chile, and to do so through a patent or trademark agent.
Applications for patents must be made before the invention becomes known in Chile.
Top Business Risks
Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement
The ACI-FTA immediately eliminates 92 per cent of tariff lines on 97 per cent of Australian goods currently traded.
More information on the ACI-FTA
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.
APEC Business Travel Card Scheme
Managed by the Department of Immigration, the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme was developed to make travelling within the 21 APEC member countries much simpler and more efficient.
Bilateral agreements
Australia has social security agreements with several countries that address the issue of 'double super coverage' for employees sent to work overseas. To take advantage of these agreements, Australian employers sending employees overseas to work must apply to the Tax Office for a Certificate of coverage.
For more details, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website.