U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke brought together representatives from American companies and the Chilean government today at the Commerce Department to help match some of Chile’s reconstruction needs with the capabilities of U.S. companies following February’s earthquake. Joining Locke at today’s luncheon was Chilean President Sebastián Piñera who shared information about that nation’s immediate needs for assistance.
“We consider Chile an important friend and trading partner, and I have every confidence that Chile will emerge even stronger and more competitive than before,” Locke said.
The 8.8-magnitude earthquake caused upwards of $30 billion in damages. The Chilean government estimates that urban planning projects and building programs related to housing reconstruction alone will exceed U.S. $3.5 billion. Chilean officials indicated they will also be seeking collaboration on reconstruction for infrastructure, schools, hospitals and clinics.
President Piñera and a delegation of senior government officials and legislators traveled to the United States hoping to encourage U.S. business interest in Chile’s reconstruction effort following the country’s worst natural disaster in 50 years.
“Not only do we have an important role to play in helping Chile recover, we have great opportunities for American businesses to put people to work,” Locke sa U.S. companies that attended today’s luncheon: 3M AES Corporation Bechtel CJMI Erickson Air Crane Fluor Corp HKS Architects, Inc.
Inno Vida Kaiser Permanente Kallman Worldwide Inc Leo A Daly Meso America Development Group, LLC MIC Industries OMMA Health Care PPG Industries Rodblu, LLC URS Corp.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
