Bradford firms are being given the chance to expand their horizons by doing deals with companies in Chile.

Following the success of her recent visit to Brazil, Francoise Joyce, export development adviser at Business Link Bradford & District, is to visit Chile on a trip sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Arriving in Chile on February 1, Francoise will be identifying contacts on behalf of Bradford firms to help win deals with Chilean companies.

She said: "Chile might not be the first place one might think about exporting to, but it is the easiest Latin American market for British exporters. A seven per cent growth rate, political stability and low inflation mean Chile offers excellent opportunities."

Chile has recently undergone a programme of privatisation which provides a wide range of potential business. Target areas include telecommunications, chemicals, consumer goods and environmental technology.

The trip comes at the end of a busy fortnight for the International Trade Team at Business Link Bradford & District who staged a seminar for new exporters last week which attracted over 40 companies.

Shipley MP Chris Leslie was the keynote speaker at the event and gave the Government's view on the issue of exporting.

Experts from Bradford Chamber of Commerce, Barclays Bank, European Information Centre and the Regional Institute of Export were there to give details of services available.

The event included a video conferencing display with the Finnish desk of the DTI in London and gave details of help overseas available via Business Link Bradford & District.

Francoise added: "Any company that would like information about the opportunities available in Chile or any other country should get in touch."

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