<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:130%"> Santiago, Chile</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Jordan Okumura<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">04.26.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The Chilean American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia has honored Ronald Bown, President of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, with the 2013 “Visionary Award.” </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The award was presented during a ceremony at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware. The award presentation was part of the 25th annual commemoration of the bilateral relationships between Chile and the Greater Philadelphia region, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/chilean042613body.jpg" alt="IMAGES APRIL 26 2013" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Bown was recognized for his contribution, as Chairman of the Board of ASOEX, in the promotion of Chilean fruit in the US market and the strengthening of relationships between Chile and the U.S.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “Chile stands out as being a key fresh fruit supplier to the world, the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere and the worldwide leading exporter for table grapes, plums, blueberries and, within the top five countries, of avocados, cherries, apples and pears,” commented Mr. Bown.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Bown shared ASOEX’s achievements in all facets of the export process including opening new markets, market promotion, communicating market regulations for exporter compliance, harmonization of market requirements, administration of phytosanitary agreements with other countries, training programs for industry workers, R&D+I programs, and industry workshops and seminars, among other initiatives, the release states.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Chile is one of the largest and most successful fresh-fruit exporters to the US market, based primarily on its geographical location, consistent high product quality, a solid and sustainable economy, and an understanding of the country’s development within a base of foreign commerce and institutional commitment,” Bown added.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Bown acknowledged David Holzworth and Tom Tjerandsen “who have supported us for so many years in the areas of legislation and product promotional programs,” when he addressed the importance of the Philadelphia region in ASOEX’s growth and success. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The market in the U.S. is the main destination market for Chilean fresh fruit exports, representing 35% of the 2,603,605 tons of fresh fruit exported by Chile last season.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Congratulations, Ronald Bown, on this recent honor.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><iframe width="100%" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MEW3em0mQ0s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.fruitsfromchile.com " target="_new"> ASOEX </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">