“ChileB2B”: Foreign Affairs Ministry presents eCommerce site designed to increase the visibility of SMEs that export
The platform began a test phase in October of last year, and to date over 700 Chilean exporters of goods and services and around 300 importers are using it. Thus far, negotiation processes totaling CLP$17.277 million have been generated.
Foreign Affairs Minister Teodoro Ribera and ProChile Director Jorge O’Ryan presented the first international ecommerce platform run by the Chilean State, ChileB2B, which was created to increase the visibility of small- and medium-sized enterprises that export from Chile, making international trade more inclusive.
The test phase of ChileB2B began in October of last year, and to date over 700 Chilean exporters of goods and services and around 300 importers are using it. Thus far, negotiation processes totaling CLP$17.277 million have been generated.
“We are here today to announce a major milestone in the modernization of our international trade policy, with which we will begin to change the way in which we have been carrying out exports in Chile. ChileB2B will make international trade more accessible and inclusive,” explained Minister Ribera.
This initiative is part of President Piñera’s government digitalization plan and contributes to the modernization of the Foreign Affairs Ministry through ProChile, which will become a public service on July 1. ProChile’s new strategic objectives include supporting SMEs that export in order to diversify the range of goods and services they offer and their export markets and also to support the internationalization of Chilean innovation and enterprise.
“ProChile has implemented a system that will allow exporters from throughout Chile to connect with importers around the world through a platform that will streamline the system, lower costs and democratize export opportunities, thus implementing what the President has asked us to do,” the Foreign Affairs Minister explained.
eCommerce for Exports
Last year, ProChile created the eCommerce unit, establishing a new area of action within the institution and support for Chilean exporters.
This is how ChileB2B, an eCommerce platform that connects Chilean sellers with international buyers, came into being, leveraging the benefits of electronic commerce. Both parties are verified by ProChile, providing safety and trust to users, who are the only ones who can access the available information.
This platform allows users to go beyond geographic and language barriers, providing the opportunity to chat in many languages with simultaneous translation. Companies can exhibit their products in an organized fashion, include references and have virtual stores open 24/7, which is important given the issue of different time zones.
“Being on this platform allows importers from around the world to find the most relevant parts of our exportable goods and services in a single location and to initiate negotiations with exporters on the same platform. It represents considerable savings for Chilean SMEs that export too, because they can engage in international business without leaving the country. They can also access benefits such as discounted logistics and courier services for shipping their products,” the Director of ProChile explained.
Companies that exported over US$40,000 in goods or US$10,000 in services between 2016 and 2018 can participate in ChileB2B.
“This platform is a modern way of making connections, saving time and money and enhancing Chile’s export capacities. We are very grateful for the work that has been done,” Minister Ribera concluded.