FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 21, 2015

MEDIA CONTACT

Brad Forbes, Office of Mayor Marilyn Strickland, bforbes@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5166

Tacoma Hosts Delegation from Chile to Discuss Public-Private Partnerships and Sustainable Development

Tacoma, Wash. -- A delegation from Chile, one of the fastest growing market-based economies, and Washington’s largest trading partner in South America, was in Tacoma on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to discuss ways in which the two economies can grow their partnership.

“We are honored to work with representatives from Chile who share our desire to find and implement sustainable and smart solutions for mutual economic development,” said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “We also look forward to conducting workshops and having productive discussions on trade and public -private partnership opportunities.”

While in Tacoma, the Chilean delegation met with the Mayor and other civic leaders. The delegation then toured the Center for Urban Waters, a world-renowned collaborative facility housing the best and brightest in clean water technology solutions and applications in urban settings. Following the tour, the delegation met with leaders from the City of Tacoma, University of Washington Tacoma and Puget Sound Partnership. Their final destination was a tour of the Port of Tacoma, led by Commissioner Don Meyer. Discussion at the port included details about the Northwest Seaport Alliance, a collaboration with the Port of Seattle.

“We aim to discuss social dialogue as a way to solve conflicts between communities and the productive sector,” said First Secretary of the Embassy of Chile Jaime Ferraz. “We are also very interested in Tacoma’s experience in protecting the environment as a part of sustainable development and how all the parts, including business, science, local and state government and society, can work together for the same objective.”

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