THE renewed push for Northern Ireland businesses to engage with the wider Latin America region, sparked by the vote for Brexit, has led to Invest NI establishing a presence in Chile.
It's the first of 10 new locations around the world - most if not all outside the EU - where the jobs body seeks to gain a foothold in the coming two years.
The Chilean office will be based in the British Embassy in the capital Santiago, where a new regional manager will be appointed to offer guidance and knowledge to companies wanting to enter that market.
In 2015/16 Northern Ireland's exports to Chile grew by five per cent to £12.6 million and also lifted by 60 per cent to £10.4 million in neighbouring Colombia.
Indeed Northern Ireland exports to the wider Latin America region for the rolling period October 2015 to last September totalled £85 million, according to government figures.
While this is just a tiny fraction of the business the north does in the EU, where its biggest market remains the Republic of Ireland, it at least opens a different door for those firms with ambitions to seek out far-away opportunities.
And they'll be pushing at an open door, as many Latin American countries have already expressed an interest in striking free trade deals with the UK in the wake of Brexit.
Invest NI chief executive Alistair Hamilton confirmed the Santiago expansion after completing a five-day visit to South America where he was supporting businesses on a trade mission to Colombia, Peru and Chile.
Mr Hamilton said: “As part of the International Trade Plan, we are expanding our overseas network in up to 10 new locations around the world, and the commitment to appoint a regional manager in Chile is the first of these expansions.
"The new role will be based in the British Embassy and will work proactively with, and provide advice to, Northern Ireland companies to help them grow exports in South America."
He added: “As well as building a strong network of stakeholders and influencers to benefit trade development, the new role will also work to identify potential investors.
"It will also support our schools, further education colleges and universities to attract more students to study in Northern Ireland, while also helping companies operating in the education technology sector to grow their exports.”
During his visit Mr Hamilton met with government bodies including ProColombia and ProChile, Invest in Bogota and InvestChile.
He also met with business bodies and companies to develop potential trade links, as well as supporting companies on the trade mission by attending commercial meetings with potential export partners.
“UK exports to Latin America are currently worth approximately £4.5 billion, with Northern Ireland accounting for £85m of this largely through advanced manufacturing, material handling and medical exports,” Mr Hamilton said.
"We are confident there are opportunities here for Northern Ireland companies."
