PH Embassy, DTI, Exchange Knowledge on Enabling a Vibrant Startup and MSMEs Sector with Chilean Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institutions
Representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Santiago headed by Ambassador Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, the Department of Trade and Industry headed by Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan, Imagine Global headed by Director of Ecosystem and Partners Francisca Rojas, and Analysis and Operations Manager of Care You Startup Carolina Bayona
SANTIAGO 04 August 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Chile, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), concluded a series of productive meetings with key public and private sector institutions dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on 23 July 2025.
The delegation met with representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales de Chile (SUBREI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO), Start-Up Chile, the Imagine Global program, and the Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC) to exchange best practices and explore collaboration activities.
CORFO and Start-Up Chile presented their institutions' enabling role to promote economic development and innovation in Chile by providing support to startups and enterprises in Chile. Start-Up Chile, a leading startup accelerator in the region, provided insights into its model of attracting and nurturing high-potential startups.
Imagine Global, a private organization that provides business opportunities for startups in early growth scaling stages, presented its strategy, design, project mobilization, and the development of new products and services through venture builder models. DTI expressed interest in exploring how a similar model could be adapted to support the rising startup ecosystem in the Philippines.
Chile’s Ministry of Economy and the Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC) presented its programs to support and finance MSMEs in Chile, with discussions focusing on best practices for fostering a vibrant MSMEs sector. Both sides discussed strategies and initiatives in areas such as business development, technical assistance, and access to funding for MSMEs.
The meetings are a part of the Philippines's ongoing efforts to deepen its economic partnership with Chile, particularly in the areas of technology, innovation, and MSMEs development, following the recent launch of negotiations for the Philippines-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which aims to go beyond traditional trade in goods and will include new generation issues such as the digital economy and support for MSMEs. END
The Philippine delegation with CORFO Vice President José Miguel Benavente, CORFO Regional Director Gloria Moya, and Start-up Chile CEO Javiera Araneda de la Sotta
The Philippine delegation with representatives from CORFO and Start-Up Chile
The Philippine Embassy in Chile and DTI with representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales de Chile (SUBREI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chile’s Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC)
For more information, visit https://www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.