A business delegation from the Falkland Islands concluded a successful visit to Chile from Sunday 30th of August to Saturday 6th of September, as part of an ongoing effort to foster greater economic collaboration and explore sustainable development opportunities in the region.
This mission followed the November 2024 visit of the El Líbero delegation to the Falkland Islands, which was facilitated by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC).
Building on the momentum of that engagement, the reciprocal trip was designed to deepen bilateral connections, promote innovation, and identify opportunities for international trade and green business growth.
Delegation Attendees
The Falklands delegation was composed of representatives from both the private and public sectors:
| Name | Title | Company/Organisation |
| Sam Cockwell | Project Manager | eLink |
| Jose Ortega | Owner | Stanley Cabs |
| Guy Morrison | CEO | GM Construction Ltd |
| Bono McKay | Owner | Big B’s Plant Hire |
| Ross Weir | Commercial Projects Officer | Falkland Islands Government |
The group was supported throughout the trip by FIDC Deputy Managing Director Louise Ellis and Marketing & Communications Officer Jane Clarke.
A Focus on Green Innovation
At the core of the visit was participation in Hyvolution Chile 2025, a leading exhibition and trade fair dedicated to green hydrogen and renewable energy technologies. Attendance aligned closely with the current FIDC Corporate Plan (2024 – 2029), which sets a clear strategic objective of leading in supporting and facilitating a green economy in the Falkland Islands.
“The aim is to not only build commercial links but also to support the private sector in transitioning toward sustainability,” said Louise Ellis, Deputy Managing Director of FIDC, who led the delegation. “This visit enabled direct engagement with stakeholders in the renewable sector and provided valuable insights into technologies shaping the global energy transition.”
Key Engagements and Outcomes
In addition to attending Hyvolution Chile 2025, the Falkland Islands delegation took part in a wide range of meetings and events with key stakeholders from both the Chile and U.K. public and private sectors.
The delegation met with British Ambassador to Chile, Louise De Sousa, and her team at the British Embassy in Santiago, as well as U.K. Honorary Consul in Punta Arenas, John Rees King. These diplomatic engagements focused on addressing barriers to business growth in the Islands and identifying ways to enhance trade connectivity with Chile and beyond.
At the British Chamber of Commerce in Chile (BritCham), the Falkland Islands team delivered a presentation showcasing the Islands’ economy, and the work of FIDC, to a group of nearly 70 business representatives who are members of BritCham.
Another key visit included a tour of Start-Up Chile, the accelerator and innovation hub operated by CORFO, the latter being the economic development agency for the whole of Chile. The delegation was able to engage with several Chilean start-ups and gained insight into emerging technologies and services, particularly in areas such as green technology, logistics, and digital solutions. The visit was an opportunity for the delegation to see how public financing can be a “force for good” in investing in small businesses, and the long-term gains that are seen for the economy.
The visit served to reaffirm cultural and diplomatic relationships. Delegates reconnecting with El Líbero, got an update on ongoing projects, including an illustrated book by artist Sofia Sanfuentes, which is set to be finalised during her return visit to the Falkland Islands in November 2025.
A meeting with HIF Global further highlighted the Islands’ interest in developing green energy solutions. Conversations centred on regulatory frameworks for green hydrogen, e-fuels, and methanol, drawing on experiences from Chile’s Magallanes region. The delegation noted that while there are valuable lessons to be learned from the challenges faced in southern Chile, the Falkland Islands are already well-positioned to build on their own regulatory progress in the energy sector.
In Punta Arenas, the delegation met with Claudio Radonich, mayor of Punta Arenas, who expressed strong interest in supporting the re-establishment of a maritime route between the city and the Falkland Islands. Discussions focused on how local authorities could be involved in advancing a project and contributing to a new chapter in regional transport connectivity.
