The Diamond State Port Corp. has contributed $45,000 to the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce to boost the chamber’s financial viability.
On Aug. 21, Robert Palaima, who is president of the Chilean chamber, which is located in Philadelphia, indicated that the budget of his group has suffered because its meetings, which are the financial lifeblood of the organization, have been canceled this year to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Among other meetings, the Chilean-American Chamber traditionally holds its elaborate season-end banquet in Wilmington, DE. The Diamond State Port Corp., which owns the port of Wilmington, contributed the large gift to help the chamber overcome losses by not holding the banquet.
The port of Wilmington is the largest seaport in the country for receiving bananas. It is also a very significant recipient of Chilean fresh fruit. Wilmington, as well as major seaports in Philadelphia and Gloucester City, NJ, collectively make one of the largest fruit ports in the world.
Palaima, also the president of Delaware River Stevedores Inc. in Philadelphia, said the Chilean-American chamber is the largest international chamber of commerce in the region. It works under the auspices of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
This year the organization’s board has continued to meet, but the meetings and workshops have been virtual. Paid attendance to regular meetings has previously supported the operations. Each fall the group hosts the wide Chilean fruit trade for a preseason workshop. Palaima said considerations are under way toward the possibility of meeting in person.
Palaima said he is very appreciative of the gift from Diamond State. “We hope other stakeholders and parties will also help sustain our chamber. But Diamond State Port Corp. stepped up bigtime for us!”
Photo: The port of Wilmington is owned by the Diamond State Port Corp., which has donated $45,000 to help sustain the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce.
