What is it?

CES is a “de facto” association whose main purpose is the articulation of all actions aimed at facilitating the exporting and internacionalization processes of the service sector. Indeed this instance is definitely not a novelty in the international arena; similar set ups in other countries are generally known as Service Industry Coalitions.

CES is part of REDSERV, an entity advocating the services’ liberalization and groups together all the other service coalitions in other hemispheric countries.

In common with other industries CES was created with a view to becoming, at a national level, an organization whose main remit is to group together and represent the global interests of the service industry.

The existence of an organized private counterpart grants a significant support to the improvement and promotion of the sector and contributes to the settlement of internal problems that hinder service exports. Furthermore, it also grants a much enhanced capacity, negotiating power and representation vis-a-vis the various national and international interlocutors.

Lines of Action

The need to set up alliances was identified soon enough. Thus, in November 2000, CES subscribed a Cooperation Pact with the Chilean Official Export Promotion concern known as Prochile and aimed at the development of three main action lines:

1) Support the negotiation processes that entail the liberalization of the Services’ Trade,

2) Exports Promotion and Internacionalization of the Services’ Sector;

3) Training and Surveys.

Throughout Chile there is a multiplicity of trade associations, but when it comes to internacional negotiations the services’ sector is considered as one and only a handful of sectors do negotiate on their own.

It is now widespread knowledge that many of the problems confronted by the various service sectors are fairly common to all. In other words, the industry faces a horizontal set of problems that must be addressed in a joint approach. In the local marketplace there is a lack of knowledge when it comes to consider the ways and means of setting in motion an internacional marketing drive of the services’ sector.

Organization

CES is currently under the leadership of a Chairman. The present incumbent is Sr. Adolfo Sepúlveda Zavala, who is also a Counsellor to the Board of the Santiago Chamber of Comerse and a partner of the well-known firm of auditors Deloitte.

The Secretariat of CES is housed at the premises of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, next to the office of the Studies Manager.

Who are we?

The membership of CES is mostly conformed by trade associations, professional associations and other similar organisations. A number of individual companies are also members.

CES MEMBERSHIP

· Asociación Chilena Tecnologías de la Información
· Asociación Chilena de Agencias de Publicidad
· Asociación Chilena de Gastronomía
· Asociación Chilena de Empresas de Diseño
· Asociación Chilena de Líneas Aéreas
· Asociación de AFP
· Asociación de Aseguradores
· Asociación de Bancos
· Asociación de Courier
· Asociación de Empresas Consultoras de Ingeniería de Chile A.G.
· Asociación de Empresas para el Medio Ambiente
· Asociación de Industria Eléctrica- Electrónica de Chile
· Asociación de Isapres
· Asociación de Logística
· Asociación de Transportistas de Carga
· Asociación Gremial de Empresas de Limpieza
· Asociación Gremial de Impresores de Chile
· Asociación Nacional de Avisaje
· Asociación Nacional de Aeronavegación Comercial
· Cámara Chilena de la Construcción
· Centro Nacional de Distribución
· Colegio de Abogados
· Colegio de Arquitectos
· Colegio de Cirujano Dentistas
· Colegio de Contadores
· Colegio de Ingenieros
· Colegio de Periodistas
· Colegio Médico
· Consejo de rectores
· Consejo Nacional de Turismo
· Corporación de Bienes de Capital
· Corporación de Capacitación de la Construcción
· Corporación de Investigación Tecnológica
· Corporación de Universidades Privadas
· Distribuidor de Industrias Nacional
· Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica
· FENABUS
· Fundación Chile
· Grupo de empresas Exportadoras de Software
· Instituto de Construcción
· Instituto de Ingenieros
· Multimedia Chile
· Plataforma Audiovisual
· Pro Ambiente
· Servicios Internacionales de Ingeniería de Consulta (INDEC)

Details of the activities undertaken

The most noteworthy activities undertaken by CES are as follows:

· Supported the negotiations leading to the signing up of the Free Trade Promotion Agreements with Canada, Mexico, the European Union and the United States as well as assisting with specific initiatives aimed at the liberalization of the services’ trade within the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ALCA.

· Joint representation of the private sector in connection with negotiations referred to services with other organizations and countries such as the WTO, ALCA, United Status, European Union and others.

Assisted with the identification of hindrances preventing access to the market of the counterpart country. Definition of sensible sectors. Focused workshops.

· Potencial identification of the local industry ( suppliers, level of activity).

· Abrogation of internal hindrances and red tape. CES leads the Service Group within an organization advocating a public/private sectors aiming for the development of exports (Spanish name: Consejo Público Privado para el Desarrollo Exportador), to whom a series of proposals have been sent.

· Training in Santiago and elsewhere throughout Chile on aspects pertaining services’ exports (ie. International Taxation).

· Dissemination of documentation referred to the Services’ Trade in the Free Trade Promotion Agreements and in analytical documents referred to regional opportunities.

· Implementation of sector surveys and analytical work.