Bachelet, who will take office for her second nonconsecutive term on March 11, inherits a divided country from current President Sebastián Piñera. (She also preceded him as president from 2006 to 2010.) Chile’s fast-growing economy, stable currency and low unemployment (5.82 percent as of October 2013) are the envy of Latin America, but the country has seen its share of social upheaval, centering demands for better education options and protests against inequality.
"The social and political conditions are here and at last the moment has arrived," Bachelet said in her victory speech after Sunday's runoff election. "If I'm here it's because we believe that a Chile for everyone is necessary. It won't be easy, but when has it been easy to change …show more content…
In Chile, only 36 percent of the schools are state-funded, and even public schools cost thousands of dollars a year. Such a system allows for only 65 percent of Chileans to finish school before they turn 24, according to data cited by Argentine newspaper Página 12.
Protests turned violent during the primaries in June, when the Socialists named Bachelet their candidate for the presidency again. Bachelet, whose family fought against the Pinochet regime, promised to make affordable education for all a top priority for her administration.
Tax Reform
In order to fund such changes, Bachelet outlined a tax plan that is supposed to build from the one Piñera established last year, as well as overcoming the fiscal deficit (around 1 percent) his administration will leave behind.
The revision includes multiplying the corporate income tax rate from 5 and 25 percent, a move that according to Chilean analyst Luis Felipe Lagos could net the government $9 billion to 13 billion. So sharp an increase will affect salaries, savings and productivity -- and, as Lagos pointed out, many specifics need to be fleshed out.
“The big transformations awaited by Chile, like education and pensions, need a financial compromise,” said …show more content…
Chileans expect a personal relationship with suppliers. Initial communication by phone or e-mail is far less effective than a personal meeting. Further, mail campaigns generally yield meager results.
However, U.S. business representatives will find that business practices in Chile and the United States are generally similar. The business day usually begins at 9 a.m. and ends between 6 and 7 p.m. Lunch breaks usually do not begin before 1 p.m. If there is business to be conducted, two or even three-hour lunches are not uncommon. Although social occasions rarely begin at the indicated time, business meetings usually do.
Do not rush business meetings. Courtesy is very important and efforts to rush a business deal are unlikely to meet with success. It is important to shake hands with everyone in the room upon arriving and leaving. Among Chileans, it is customary for men to kiss women they meet for the first time on the right cheek. However, U.S. businesspeople should shake hands with Chileans women, until a friendly relationship has been
"The social and political conditions are here and at last the moment has arrived," Bachelet said in her victory speech after Sunday's runoff election. "If I'm here it's because we believe that a Chile for everyone is necessary. It won't be easy, but when has it been easy to change …show more content…
In Chile, only 36 percent of the schools are state-funded, and even public schools cost thousands of dollars a year. Such a system allows for only 65 percent of Chileans to finish school before they turn 24, according to data cited by Argentine newspaper Página 12.
Protests turned violent during the primaries in June, when the Socialists named Bachelet their candidate for the presidency again. Bachelet, whose family fought against the Pinochet regime, promised to make affordable education for all a top priority for her administration.
Tax Reform
In order to fund such changes, Bachelet outlined a tax plan that is supposed to build from the one Piñera established last year, as well as overcoming the fiscal deficit (around 1 percent) his administration will leave behind.
The revision includes multiplying the corporate income tax rate from 5 and 25 percent, a move that according to Chilean analyst Luis Felipe Lagos could net the government $9 billion to 13 billion. So sharp an increase will affect salaries, savings and productivity -- and, as Lagos pointed out, many specifics need to be fleshed out.
“The big transformations awaited by Chile, like education and pensions, need a financial compromise,” said …show more content…
Chileans expect a personal relationship with suppliers. Initial communication by phone or e-mail is far less effective than a personal meeting. Further, mail campaigns generally yield meager results.
However, U.S. business representatives will find that business practices in Chile and the United States are generally similar. The business day usually begins at 9 a.m. and ends between 6 and 7 p.m. Lunch breaks usually do not begin before 1 p.m. If there is business to be conducted, two or even three-hour lunches are not uncommon. Although social occasions rarely begin at the indicated time, business meetings usually do.
Do not rush business meetings. Courtesy is very important and efforts to rush a business deal are unlikely to meet with success. It is important to shake hands with everyone in the room upon arriving and leaving. Among Chileans, it is customary for men to kiss women they meet for the first time on the right cheek. However, U.S. businesspeople should shake hands with Chileans women, until a friendly relationship has been