Optimizing the labor force, increasing investment, repositioning the country’s exports and driving R&D are some of the measures the government spokesperson explained would achieve national growth.

On June 15th, a seminar on “Economic Forecasts, Emerging Market Recovery,” organized by AMCHAM Chile (the Chilean North American Chamber of Commerce), El Mercurio Newspaper and the Hemispheric Policy, U of Miami. The event included the participation of speakers such as Juan Andrés Fontaine, Minister of the Economy, Stimulus and Tourism, Hernán Errázuriz, President of the Chilean Council of International Relations and more.

The COASIN Group, continuously contributing to the entrepreneurial and national economics debate, participated as a sponsor of said encounter that united outstanding figures from the academic, political, touristic, technological and business sectors.

Carlos Fernandez, COASIN Global Services General Manager, represented the company, commenting that “these kinds of occasions are very beneficial since they also unite several sectors of the national economy; to take the pulse of what is happening in the national framework of the country.”

Without a doubt, the Minister Juan Andrés Fontaine’s presentation was the most anticipated; he spoke on international crises, the economic state of the country, and forecasts for the bicentennial. “Crossing the development threshold is very important. That is why we have set the deadline for 2018 and we will raise the annual growth for the country to 6%,” said the Government figure.

He added that “the recovery is underway, since we have boosted better productivity and more work.” This is no lesser matter, as Fontaine pointed out, a greater work force that has better training is needed; therefore he called to improve national education.

He then explained that increasing investment, repositioning the country’s exports, making Chile a country where doing business is faster (that foreigners do not encounter so many obstacles) and promoting R&D, are some of the measures taken as part of his portfolio to position the country as a developed nation.

R&D + I Stimulus

Regarding this matter, Juan Andrés Fontaine was categorical, “we must at least have 0.9% of GDP available to boost research, development and innovation in Chile.” This is because innovators and entrepreneurs are needed to strengthen growth in Chile, according to the Minister.