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Sheep farming promotion in central Chile; Target of two million tourists in 2005; English as a second language; Cellular phones in Antarctica.

Sheep farming promotion in central Chile

Chile's Deputy Agriculture Minister Arturo Barrera announced that the central zone of the country will begin exporting lamb and mutton for the first time ever later this year. Among the markets targeted are Mexico, Israel, United States, European Union and Arab countries. The announcement was made during the inauguration of Ovine Reproductive Centre in La Estrella, VI Region which should help 500 sheep farmers improve animal husbandry techniques and genetics. Mr. Barrera said the target was 12 million US dollars in lamb exports by 2010. However those farmers interested in the export project must register under a strict sanitary and traceability monitoring system and the same applies to abattoirs.

Target of two million tourists in 2005

Over 685,000 foreign tourists visited Chile during the first quarter of 2005, according to the latest numbers released by the Tourist Services Office, Sernatur. This represents a 14% increase over 2004 and a gross income ranging 516 million US dollars. The 2005 target of Sernatur is two million overseas tourists. Among the most dynamic attractions are, Patagonia, Easter Island, Atacama Desert. "Torres del Paine park in Patagonia is now attracting 100,000 tourists annually, 80% foreigners", said Oscar Santelices, head of Sernatur. The profile of foreign visitors in Chile is above 35, high income bracket and who are looking for places for specific activities such as rafting, fishing, hiking and skiing. Most tourists in Chile come from neighbouring countries but those from more distant countries are growing faster, United States, Germany, France, Brazil and Asians. Americans, Europeans and Asian spend a daily average of 90 US dollars. This year Sernatur is investing 3,5 million US dollars overseas to promote Chilean tourism, indicated Mr. Santelices.

English as a second language

April 30 Magallanes University will be sitting the first English for International Communication tests. The initiative which basically tests elementary and advanced English language for working purposes has been organized for the promotion of English as a second language in Magallanes Region given its dependence on the tourism industry and foreign trade, said a University spokesperson . Following this first experience, tests will be organized on a monthly basis. "Our objective is making Magallanes the first bilingual region of the country", added Magallanes University spokesperson.

Cellular phones in Antarctica

Following the approval of all the environment impact assessments, the Chilean telephone company based in Punta Arenas Entel PCS has began offering a cellular phone service in Chilean Antarctic bases and adjoining areas. With the logistic support of the Chilean Armed Forces Entel engineers mounted an antenna at the end of January in one of the countries bases in King George Island, and trials were conducted during February. Apparently the operation comes under the telephone company's "social responsibility" policy meaning that wherever there are Chileans working for the country, "we will try to have them connected with Chile". A similar previous experience was Easter Island. According to Punta Arenas press the service can also be used by non Chileans since it has a roaming system which enables users to connect with their country's company and so receive overseas phone calls. Apparently Entel PCS roaming system covers over a hundred countries in five continents. In the area it communicates with Rio Gallegos and Ushuaia in Argentina.