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Ayse Oge

Ayse Oge

Ayse Oge is a published author and global trade marketing expert. She is the author or the book Emerging Markets. Ayse’s Corner is a periodic feature for the World TradeWinds eZine’.

“Instead of changing the world through revolution, we can change the world through innovation.” — Juan Andres Fontaine, Former Chilean Minister of Economy

chileChile is listed as the highest ranked Latin American nation in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014. In fact, with a population of 17 million, Chile is almost twice the size of California and is a huge leader in Latin America. The country boasts strong institutions, well-functioning markets, high levels of domestic competition, and an openness of foreign trade. It has recently began taking center stage in becoming the hub of entrepreneurship and innovation.

usaSince the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement was implemented in 2004, bilateral trade between Chile and the U.S. has doubled, with two-way trade in goods increasing to $24.9 billion in 2011. The top exports from Chile are salmon, fresh grapes and copper cathodes. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, exports to Chile from the U.S. have risen by over 340 percent, with transmission receptors, computers and diesel trucks contributing to this growth. Over 300 U.S. companies have investments in Chile, and the majority of them are also using Chile as a platform for services in the region.

Chile has made huge advances in building up its small business and micro entrepreneurs’ strength through CORFO’s (Chilean Economic Development Agency) strategy of local entrepreneurship and Loan Guarantee Programs. Chile is heading towards a new level of competitiveness through their flagship “Start-Up Chile” program which takes a global view of the “starting up” system. This particular strategy is aimed at attracting and retaining talent from all over the world (including within Chile) to set up start-up businesses in Chile. The objective is to support global entrepreneurs and connect Chile’s most innovative entrepreneurs to other brilliant minds from all over the world, creating an innovative platform and cross-pollination of ideas similar to hotspots like Israel or the Silicon Valley.

innovationIn 2010, the start-up program brought 22 startups from 14 countries to Chile, providing them with $40,000 of equity-free seed capital to develop their projects along with access to the most social and capital networks in the country. These selected entrepreneurs were approved by an admission process conducted by Silicon Valley experts and a Chilean Innovation Board that encourages global mindsets, and believing that the route to success is through expansion not isolation.

Also the Chilean Economic Development Agency’s International R&D Centers seeks to spearhead Chile’s research and development capabilities, a crucial part of innovation process, by partnering with world renowned R&D institutions like Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Inria and Csiro.

Start-Up Chile has gained tremendous global recognition, having been published in Forbes, The Economist, and BusinessWeek, and has led to spinoffs around the world such as Start-Up America, Start-Up Britain, Start-Up Greece and Start-Up Italy.
In today’s economy, innovation is key to producing valuable products, new processes and unique business models to respond to the distinctive needs and expectations of global consumers. Chile is on the right path to differentiating itself in fostering innovation and strengthening the power of its entrepreneurs.

Ayse Oge is President of Ultimate Trade, International Trade Consulting, Speaking and Training. Ayse Oge is Regional Director of Business Education Statewide Advisory Committee in Los Angeles, CA. She is also Board Member of California Business Education Association and Program Chair of CBEA Annual Conference, November 15-17 in San Diego, CA.

Ayse Oge is President of Ultimate Trade, International Trade Consulting, Speaking and Training. Ayse Oge is Regional Director of Business Education Statewide Advisory Committee in Los Angeles, CA. She is also Board Member of California Business Education Association and Program Chair of CBEA Annual Conference, November 15-17 in San Diego, CA.