The period for presenting expressions of interest ends on June 30. The government met with companies in Germany.

A seminar took place in Frankfurt yesterday to present the call by the two institutions for local and international companies to participate in the process for selecting the company or companies that will be able to develop value-added lithium products in Chile on special terms.

The event, attended by some 15 leading producers of lithium products from Germany, China, South Korea and Russia, was led by Carlos Álvarez, director of InvestChile, and Eduardo Bitran, vice-president of the Chilean government’s Economic Development Agency (CORFO). Other speakers included Chile’s ambassador to Germany, Patricio Pradel, and representatives of the Albemarle company.

The authorities also held a round of meetings with specific companies in the sector.

“There is clearly a great deal of interest on the part of international companies, both in this initiative and in the opportunities our country offers investors. In this case, it is an opportunity that is an essential part of a broader policy objective, the country’s economic diversification. We need to develop new sectors and activities that allow us to generate growth and in which we have potential,” said the director of InvestChile, Carlos Álvarez.

“Proposals will most likely be in the line of making cathodes for batteries in order to use the full quota available for their production in Chile,” added Eduardo Bitran. “The period for presenting expressions of interest ends on June 30. Our aim is to prequalify at least three candidates for the next phase. The process should conclude before the end of the year,” he explained.

• Pulso 19 mayo 2017