Chile is one of the most advanced countries in South America socially, culturally, educationally and economically and one of the most deeply rooted in recent years in TT.

This, thanks to the promotion of several lines of work of the Chilean embassy in the Port of Spain, which seeks to promote co-operation between the two countries.

One of the main themes has been the promotion of Spanish as a second language.

Interviewed before his term as Chilean ambassador ended recently, Juan Anibal Barria said the embassy, through the Chilean co-operation agency, carried out several Spanish courses for public sector officials.

“It is a programme will continue, given the success it has had,” he said.

Around 70 people have participated in these courses. In addition, in this line, the Chilean embassy has gone to public and private schools to disseminate the Spanish language as a culture, geography and the culture of their country.

“We have been very impressed to see how high school students can express themselves in Spanish,” he said.

Barria said he has been impressed by how Trinidadians know classic Chilean writers like Isabel Allende, Pablo Neruda among others.

[caption id="attachment_1001569" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Juan Anibal Barria, the former Chilean ambassador to TT. Photo by Grevic Alvarado -[/caption]

"I've met new local literary talent, learning a lot about the history of TT from the books of Judy Raymond, former editor-in-chief of Newsday, who I like in her writing style," he said.

He expressed his satisfaction for the growing coverage of Latin American news and Latin embassies in TT.

“More needs to be done. The effort should not only be made by Chile, but also by other Latin American countries because Spanish is a widely spoken language and even more so because TT is a geographically privileged country close to South America and the gateway to the Caribbean, being a bridge for the entire continent,” Barria said.

Another area of importance in matters of co-operation has been commercial. Barria said in recent years his country has worked to expand bilateral trade in a win-win relationship for both countries.

“The Chileans can know the good quality of local products, at the same time the Trinidadians know more about our country. There are already some emblematic Chilean products in some local supermarkets such as various fruits, salmon, among others. Also Chilean wine, one of the largest producers in the world, has a huge offer for Trinidadians,” he said.

Barria confirmed there is an ongoing negotiation process with three rounds of meetings already held for the expansion and growth of bilateral trade.

“Our idea is the relationship with TT goes beyond gas, on which Chile depends in a high percentage close to 80 per cent. But precisely these agreements seek to make the win-win effective by promoting trade," he said.

Barria said for the first time in a decade a representative of the government entity designed to promote Chilean products and services for the Caribbean came to TT last