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Chilean beef and cheese exports; Magallanes Expo next January; Mega hotel in Puerto Natales.

Chilean beef and cheese exports

Chile exported 15 million US dollars of beef during the first ten months of 2004, according to the Agriculture Policies Office, ODEPA. This is 13% above the same period a year ago. However cheese exports rocketed and reached 22,6 million US dollars, which is 131% over the January-October period of 2003. The total number of beef tons was 5,822 with Mexico, (34%9, Cuba (33%), Japan (19%), Costa Rica (7%), Germany (5%) and United Kingdom (2%) as the main buyers. Chilean Agriculture Deputy Minister, Arturo Barrera forecasted exports in 2005 should reach 50 million US dollars. The total number of cheese tons reached 8,637, a 94% increase over the same period of 2003 volume (4,452 tons). Main markets Mexico (94%) and United States (5%). Gouda is the main cheese variety exported by Chile.

Magallanes Expo next January

The regional Magallanes Expo scheduled for January 17/23 in Punta Arenas will have this year 65 stands with the purpose of promoting local small and medium industries as well as services. The Chilean Finance Ministry regional representative Bernardo Troncoso said that the coming fourth edition "has surpassed our expectations; not only do we have the traditional sponsors of the Expo but 65 stands, and we have also had to privilege some of the local industries and services, leaving other out". The Expo which traditionally takes place in the grounds of the Magallanes University "becomes a show case for our local food, textile and fish industries". The week long Expo will also include music and theatre entertainments and is forecasted to become on of the main summer attractions for Punta Arenas residents. Last year's edition was visited by almost 40,000 people. Day tickets will be selling at the equivalent of one US dollar.

Mega hotel in Puerto Natales

A 70 room hotel demanding a ten million US dollars investment is being built in Puerto Natales, north of Punta Arenas, and the gateway for visitors venturing into the world known Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. Designed by one of the outstanding architects of Chile, German del Sol Guzman, the hotel pretends to emulate the main settlement of a XIX century estancia with surrounding grounds covering four hectares. "A farm house but with all the comfort and advances of the XXI century, and which will offer visitors the pioneer atmosphere of Magallanes two hundred years ago", indicated Juan Pablo Gonzalez Correa, General Manager of the Fundador hotel chain. "I can assure it won't be a conventional hotel, like those you can find all over the world", emphasized Mr. Gonzalez Correa. Besides 70 full rooms, plus space to keep expanding, the hotel will have a pool, a convention hall, bar and an international restaurant. The hotel should be ready and operational next season.