Antarctica Advisors International opens office in Santiago, Chile

Antarctica Advisors International Corporation (AAIC), a United States-based banking firm focused on the food industry, is opening a new office in Santiago, Chile.

The office in Chile will allow the company to provide better service to its regional corporate clients. Fernando Araya, a 20-year investment banking veteran, will head the office. He previously served as general manager of Rabobank and also held a senior-level position with JP Morgan Chase. Araya has advised an extensive list of clients including Multiexport, Salmofood and IANSA, and he serves on the boards of several Chilean food companies.

"The opening of our new office in Santiago, Chile, significantly strengthens and expands our firm's capabilities in South America," Ignacio Kleiman, AAIC managing partner, said. "We are extremely pleased that Mr. Araya has agreed to lead this office as country head."

AAIC is an independent financial advisory firm that provides a vast array of investment banking services to clients in the general food sector. In addition, it has a mergers and acquisitions practice focusing on the seafood industry. The company keeps another office in Miami to provide support for clients in the Americas and Europe, as well as Africa and Asia. AAIC is a member of Clairfield, a global corporate finance partnership.