Governor of Delaware to receive the 2008 "Friend of Chile" Award

The Governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner, has been selected to receive the 11th Annual "Friend of Chile" Award presented by the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) of Greater Philadelphia, an affiliate of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber will honor the Governor on Thursday, November 20, 2008 during a luncheon at the Union League of Philadelphia.

"I am very flattered to be among the winners of the Friend of Chile Award," said Governor Minner. "This is a testament to our efforts to strengthen our state’s economy through promoting business opportunities with Chile, and I thank the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia for recognizing our state with this honor."

Delaware’s government does many things to protect and grow opportunities for state businesses worldwide. Last year, Governor Ruth Ann Minner led a Delaware delegation on a trade mission to Chile, where the group met with Chilean government officials, key business partners and the board of directors from the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile.

"This trip made another strategic trade mission to enhance business opportunities and potentially generate new job growth in our region," Governor Minner said. "This trip was especially significant to the continued success of our ports as the key U.S. hub for the entry of Chilean fruit, as well as other commodities".

This year marks the Chamber’s 20th Anniversary. The Chamber has had many successes and moves from strength to strength. The Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce plays a particularly important role in promoting bilateral Chile-US business, which is at the heart of the remarkable partnership between our countries. During the past year, Chilean trade with the Delaware River Valley exceed $1 billion. Of this, fruits and vegetables were valued at $855 million. Last year, Chile shipped over 58 million cases of fruit to the Ports of the Delaware River. The region derives significant and increasing economic benefit from the strong and growing trade relationship between Chile and Delaware.

"The Friend of Chile Award, celebrating its eleventh year, is presented annually to an outstanding member of the regional business community with a strong commitment to foster increased commercial and trade relations between the Republic of Chile and Greater Philadelphia; and we have found these qualities in Governor Minner" said Sheryl Rothberg, Executive Director of the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce.

Beginning her political career in 1974, Gov. Minner served four terms in the state House of Representatives (1974-1982), and served three terms in the state Senate (1982-1993). She served as Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor from 1993 until 2001. Gov. Minner became the 72nd governor and the first female governor of the state of Delaware on January 3, 2001.

Governor Minner is the 11th recipient of this prestigious award. The 2007 recipient was Robert Palaima, President of Delaware River Stevedores and current President of the Board of Directors of the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce.

To learn more about the "Friend of Chile" Award luncheon, please contact us at 215-790-3627 or Ricardo@greaterphilachamber.com. Also, be sure to visit our website www.caccgp.com.