Towards a Chile-Australia Free Trade Agreement

On 8 December 2006, the Australian Government agreed in-principle to commence a bilateral negotiation process with Chile, with a view to developing a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) to strengthen and deepen this trade relationship. For more information [DFAT]

Austrade information

Market profiles: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Peru
Latin America In Brief brochure

External information

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country profiles [DFAT]
List of Australian Embassies and Consulates
Council on Australia Latin America Relations
Australia-Latin America Business Council

Latest news

Recent media releases and Chief Economist ("Economist's Corner") articles:

• Roadshow Highlights Export Opportunities in Chile (Ministerial) (18 October 2008)
• Australia on show across Latin America (18 September 2008)
• Business group to enhance commerce links with Peru (29 May 2008)
• Austrade promotes Australian mining prowess at EXPOMIN (15 April 2008)
• Latin America: Austrade outlines trade opportunities (4 April 2008)
• Inaugural World Alpaca Conference draws global industry experts (28 March 2008)
• Economist's Corner: The Inca strikes back (8 September 2008)
• Economist's Corner: Red Hot Chile Peppers the Globe with FTAs (31 July 2008)
• Economist's Corner: Alpacanomics (4 April) 2008
• Economist's Corner: Going the full Brazilian: looking at export values and volumes 26 March 2008
• Economist's Corner: From Rio to Freo (17 March 2008)

Economic Snapshots, featuring a short Chief Economist article and a summary of key trade and economic data:

• Brazil Export Snapshot (PDF 226KB)
• Argentina Export Snapshot (PDF 233KB)
• APEC Export Snapshot (PDF 266KB)
• Mexicio Export Snapshot (PDF 307KB)
• Chile Export Snapshot (PDF 240KB)
• Peru Export Snapshot (PDF 227KB)

Case studies

	Iconic Australian surf wear now number-one brand in Peru    Billabong, the iconic Australian brand of boardsport, consumer fashion clothing and Olympic sports products, is now the number-one sportswear and surfwear brand in Peru. (January 2008)
	WA-based Coffey Mining acquires business in Brazil       Perth-based Coffey Mining is one company making waves as mining expertise remains an important commodity in the resources boom taking place in Western Australia. (October 2007)
	Australian minerals processor commissions major plant in Argentina      Gekko Systems, the Ballarat-based manufacturer of gravity-separation mineral-processing equipment and systems, is making a name for itself in Latin America. (October 2007)
	Tassie Cats help carry lion's share of heavy truck market Eight years ago the first Australian-made Caterpillar earthmoving truck was shipped from Tasmania to Peru. Today, dozens of Cats are being shipped to there as the metals boom continues. (June 2007)
	A fail-safe system for communications within mines Men have been going underground for thousands of years to mine the earth’s riches.  When something goes wrong, the hazards involved can be brutally brought to our attention through blazing headlines. Working any distance underground presents obvious dangers and the mining industry constantly searches for ways to lessen the risks involved. (March 2007)