• According to InvestChile’s analysis, investment flows in the first two months of the year totaled US$3.58 billion, US$775 million higher than in the same period of 2023.  

This morning, the Chilean Central Bank released the February foreign direct investment (FDI) figures, indicating that the country received net investment flows of US$3.58 billion in the first two months of 2024.  The figure represents a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2023 when cumulative foreign direct investment was US$2.81 billion.

FDI flows totaled US$1.64 billion in February 2024 alone. According to InvestChile’s analysis, this cumulative figure is 21% higher than the 2003-2024 average for the same period.

Reinvested earnings, at US$2.7 billion, constitute the largest component of cumulative FDI flows, followed by related-party debt, at US$844 million and equity capital, at US$36 million.

Working to boost investment

The FDI figures are very good news for Economy Minister Nicolás Grau, as they reflect a continuation of last year’s good momentum.  “In 2023, we had the highest foreign direct investment figures since 2015, at more than US$ 21 billion.  The figures released today reflect continuation on the same path, with 28% growth in the first two months of 2024 alone,” Grau remarked.

InvestChile Director Karla Flores emphasized that the increase in FDI flows resulted from a joint effort by several public agencies to attract more and better foreign investment to Chile.  “It is extremely important that the benefits of foreign investment reach everyone.  That is why we have redoubled our efforts with the different ministries to promote investment opportunities in Chile to international companies.  This year, we have partnered with the Mining Ministry on investment-attraction initiatives in Canada and with the Public Works Ministry for infrastructure investments from Asia.  These efforts will intensify this year and bring in other ministries, including Energy and Transport,” said Flores.

She further detailed, “In May, we are set to host our 7^th InvestChile International Forum, where we welcome more than 100 foreign investors from the technology and digital infrastructure, concessions, energy storage and lithium industry sectors to Chile.  These are sectors where we need to make accelerated leaps in quality, with greater investment and permanent jobs.  Participating companies come with concrete projects at different stages, and we aim to expedite their decision-making processes.”