UK fast growth businesses visit Chile and Argentina on a trade mission

The delegates, the majority from Cambridge and Anglia, undertook a series of exclusive meetings with buyers and distributors, and attended events with a view to exporting to Chile and Argentina.

As well as being able to support businesses locally through our network of Corporate Business Centres and specialists in the UK, we have a strong international presence. This is thanks to our extensive global network in 10 major markets, more than 12,000 branches worldwide and a network of international alliance partners.

Companies that attended the trip included Christie International, Elgood & Sons Ltd, Pasta Foods Ltd and Teagle Machinery Ltd. The initiative is part of our regular series of international trade missions across a range of UK sectors that are aimed at helping businesses export and capitalise on trade opportunities.

While in Chile and Argentina, the firms attended 80 tailored one-to-one meetings with large retailers including Jumbo and Walmart, buyers, well-respected distributors and international partners. They also attended large scale networking events supported by The British Chile Chamber of Commerce and Department for International Trade Argentina, which showcased the best of British food, drink and manufacturing.

Trading in Chile and Argentina

Chile has one of the largest portfolios of Free Trade Agreements in the world and is the UK's second largest export destination in Latin America. This is largely due to the lack of tariffs on UK products. Investment opportunities also exist in wholesale, retail, education, agriculture, construction and energy.

Argentina is currently removing trade barriers to increase exports and imports under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. There’s high demand for imported luxury consumer goods and food and drink.

David Hill, Managing Director, Cocoda commented:

I’ve been on several trade missions over the years, this was by far the very best organised with excellent pre-mission briefing, highly qualified meetings and the first class levels of support throughout. As a result, we’ve already seen some initial interest, which we hope will lead to successful partnerships and trade opportunities in Latin America.

Mauricio Munguia, Latam Desk Director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said:

Given the current uncertainties around Brexit and how it may impact established UK exporters who would traditionally look to Europe with their products, companies need to be brave and explore new, often overlooked global markets, such as those in Latin America. The region is forecasting significant growth and there’s a real opportunity for UK businesses where British produce is seen as synonymous with high quality.

We’re confident this trade mission will help the SMEs which attended understand the opportunities available in these exciting markets. UK companies looking to access the region can take advantage of Santander's powerful network and presence in Latin America where we have a bank in all of the major markets.

Helping SMEs to export is a core priority for Santander. Our trade missions are unique in the wider SME banking market – we regularly and proactively get UK firms out to markets to meet buyers and network with key stakeholders. Previous trade missions have covered the US, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and Poland, among others.

Find out more about how we could help your business prosper internationally on our International hub.