LUIS CID ALONSO

BACK   PRESIDENT OF THE OFFICIAL SPANISH CHAMBER IN CHILE   It was in 1997 that the Eurochile Foundation requested an urgent interview with a businessman called Carlos Rodríguez. It had to take place that same afternoon because he was leaving the next day. If they had not told me he was from Zamora, it would have been able to receive him, as my agenda was fully booked, but roots run deep there is always time and for the Noblemen of Castilla y León. I received him in my office, he told me he was coming come from a long journey through Latin-America and that he was honestly very disappointed by the few business possibilities he had seen. I really enjoyed listening to him, it was the classic prototype of an entrepreneur, of a tough and honest businessman who saw that in these latitudes, time has no value, people beat around the bush and the famous expression “Maó Meno” which means “neither yes nor no, but the opposite” and we had another meeting to clarify it better. According to what he told me, he was surprised by the magnificent education that existed here in Latin-America, specifically in Chile, the concern of making foreigners feel like home and most of all, he was very impressed by the seriousness in the businesses. After a very long conversation, when I tried to convince and motivate him to got installed in Chile and I he accepted at the condition of persuading the Eurochile Foundation to participate in his project. One of the most beautiful things I lived in Chile business-wise, we did it in association with the company EUROCALIDAD, and I say we because I felt, feel and will feel, not only part of the project, but almost part of the “Rodríguez” family and since Diego took the place of his father as company Director, I think of him as my little brother. I have already said enough so that Carlos can receive a big embrace from a distance in honour of this 25th business anniversary. Although I could continue narrating many more anecdotes, both good and bad, as you and I both know we were close to a fight more than once, but it’s all water under the bridge. Today under the global direction of your son Diego and of José María Castillero in Chile, everything is following its proper course, the Inzamac Group keeps on expanding and these meetings where we fought alone but together, has become a Holding of eight companies and four others in study. As the President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chile, I am very proud of the enterprising spirit of the people from Castilla y León. Today, through the companies of the Inzamac Group in Chile, more than 100 highly qualified Chileans are working. The companies EUROCALIDA, EUROQUALITAS, EUROQUALITAS CAPACITACION, DINTER, ENER - RENOVA , EUROTERRA and EL CONSORCIO PM-INZAMAC, are technifying and guaranteeing quality in all the possible fields and activities from public works to mining or agro-food products. With emotion, the last thing I have to say to you and your family is that you have managed to make this country yours, that my house is your house and that you can be sure that I will always be by your side.