Technical Meeting: Meeting Of Procurement and Hiring Managers. September 6th-7th 2012

Transcription

1 Technical Meeting: Meeting Of Procurement and Hiring Managers September 6th-7th 2012

2 Geographical location is situated in the southeastern quadrant of the Pacific Ocean and settles its territory at the southwestern end of South America, extends into the Antarctic Continent to the South Pole and into the Pacific Ocean with the world-famous mysterious Easter Island or Rapa Nui, 2300 miles off the west coast. To the north it borders with Peru, through the Line of Concorde; to the east with Bolivia and Argentina; to the south with the South Pole and to the west with the Pacific Ocean, included the Economic Exclusive Zone, in an extension of 200 marine miles. Weather The snake-like shape of the South American territory and its position between the Pacific Ocean coastline and the Andes Mountains produce climatic conditions where the sea, altitude and latitude interact and generate a variety of weathers starting in the North with the most arid desert in the world and ending in the South and Antarctic latitudes with the most extreme polar-cold conditions. Santiago, located at 33 south latitude has a mediterranean weather where autumn occurs between the months of March and June with temperatures that may reach 18 C (64 F), but usually hover around 14 C (57 F). Humidity is low, reducing the disagreeable effects of cold and heat. The rainy season usually starts in April and peaks in June and July, to begin descending in August to reach a complete stop around November. The annual average rainfall does not exceed 400 mm. Warm clothes are recommended. 2

3 Population By mid 2007, the national population was estimated at inhabitants, with 21,5 inhabitants per square kilometer and an average age of 30,4 years. Religion Language According to the population census of 2002, 70% of the inhabitants declare to be catholic; 15,1% evangelic; 6,6% other religions, and 8,3% no religion. The official language is Spanish. Time The official time is GMT minus 4 hours Between the second Saturday of October and the second Saturday of the following March, the official time is GMT minus 3 hours. Currency The monetary unit is the an peso, which floats freely against the dollar. Money can be exchanged in banks and foreign exchange offices (Casas de Cambio). It is highly recommended not to make transactions in other places and by no reason at the streets. As a reference, the exchange rate in march 2011 has been approximately $480 (four hundred and eighty an pesos) by US$1 (one American dollar). The easiest way to obtain money in cash is through automatic cashiers (ATM s) identified by the name REDBANC, which take Cirrus, Visa, Diners and Mastercard and allow transactions of up to US$250. Public transportation Taxi cabs: Cabs run around the clock and charge a basic rate of $250 and a variable rate $100 per each 200 meters. Their obligation is to issue a ticket registering the amount charged. It is recommended to use radio taxis for comfort and safety (basic rate of $1.100 and $80 per each 200 meters). Metro: subway train; its lines cross the city in all directions and work from Monday to Friday from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Saturdays from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM, and Sundays and holidays from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Its rates varies throughout the day: low ($640) and high traffic ($530) from 7:00 AM to 8:59 AM and 6:00 PM to 7:59 PM. For further information, visit 3

4 Traslates from the Airport The International Airport counts with a variety and complete transport service to the city. The fastest and most direct service is the Taxi. There are private companies of minivans with capacity for 12 people that make routes around the entire city, leaving each passenger in their destiny. In order to access this service, it is necessary to buy tickets in the Airport, in front of the arrivals zone. Electricity The an current is 220 volts. Hotels have service for 220 and 110 volts. Commercial Hours Banks: Monday to Fridays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Foreign Exchange Offices: Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Shopping malls: Mondays to Sundays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, in Santiago and other large cities. Visa and requirements to enter the country Citizens from countries that have diplomatic relations with can enter the country with a valid passport. Citizens from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay can enter the country with a valid ID. Despite of having diplomatic relations with, some countries are required a tourist visa which must be requested at the an Consulate in the respective country. It is recommended to check this traveling information with due anticipation at the website then go to asuntos consulares; dirección general; precauciones útiles antes de viajar; recomendaciones de viajes; visas. There you will find a list of countries and its visa requirements; just click on the country and you will get the information. Customs For inbound passengers there is a limit of 500 cigarettes, 100 cigars, 2½ liters of alcoholic beverages, perfumes and other articles for personal use. It is strictly forbidden to enter fruits, vegetables, honey, meat products, flowers, seeds and dairy products. A declaration must be issued upon entrance. Communications All communications to the Central Bank of must be addressed to María Inés Urbina, phone number (56) (2) ; miurbina@bcentral.cl, and Cynthia Vivallo, phone number (56) (2) ; cvivallo@ bcentral.cl. The seminar will take place at the Auditorium of the Central Bank of, located at Morandé 115, 2 nd floor, Santiago. Santiago de Information on Santiago can be found at (in English), and (Spanish) 4

5 HOTELES EN CONVENIO CON EL BANCO CENTRAL DE CHILE Plaza San Francisco Hotel Av. Libertador Bernardo O Higgins 816, Santiago de Standard Single US$ 123 Standard Doble US$ 145 Marisol Alvarez Tel.: (56-2) / Cel.: Gran Palace Hotel Huérfanos 1178 piso 10, Santiago de Standard Single US$ 102 Standard Doble US$ 128 Rodrigo Toro Tel.: (56-2) asistente@hotelgranpalace.cl

6 Sheraton Hotel Av. Santa María 1742, Santiago de Classic Single Classic Doble US$189 US$249 Meena Vaswani Tel.: (56-2) Grand Radisson Av. Vitacura 2610, Las Condes, Santiago de Standard Single Standard Doble US$169 US$179 Reservations: Tel.: (56 2) centralreservas@radisson.cl 6