Chile

Foreign holdings of peso-denominated Chilean government bonds rose by $700 million in August to a record $21.04 billion, up 42% since the start of the year. That is far faster growth than elsewhere in Latin America and shows investors trust Chile's fiscal policy and market reforms, which supports peso stability and local financing conditions.

Bloomberg · 2026-09-21

The government is advancing two proposals to promote early-stage mining exploration and junior miners through investment incentives, lower costs and less red tape. If passed, they would make it cheaper and quicker for foreign exploration companies to enter the copper and lithium sectors.

Industrial Info Resources · 2026-09-15

On 7 October Paula Estévez, Chile's undersecretary for international economic relations, said talks with the US will widen duty-free access for some products but will not bring back 0% tariffs on all exports. About 53% of Chile's exports to the US by value enter duty-free today, while salmon, wine, timber and fruit pay a 12.5% US surcharge. Companies serving the US from Chile should assume at least part of that tariff will stay.

Vinetur (citing Pulso/La Tercera) · 2026-10-07

On 9 September the government introduced a capital-markets bill to support activity and investment in housing, financial services and savings. Foreign financial-services and real-estate firms should follow it through Congress, because it could change the rules they operate under in Chile.

Industrial Info Resources · 2026-09-09

On 8 September the Banco Central de Chile's board voted unanimously to keep the policy rate at 4.5%, the sixth meeting in a row without a change. Annual inflation rose to 4.1% in August, above forecasts, so borrowing costs for entrants are unlikely to fall soon.

Banco Central de Chile (RPM statement); Infobae · 2026-09-08

In its September Monetary Policy Report, the central bank cut its 2026 growth forecast to below 1%. Second-quarter GDP fell 0.2% year on year because of weak domestic spending, lower mining output and storm damage. It expects inflation of 4.3% at end-2026, a return to the 3% target in Q2 2027, and growth of 2–3% in 2027 as the government's reform package lifts investment.

Banco Central de Chile, IPoM September 2026 · 2026-09-09

On 30 September Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz sent the 2027 budget bill to Congress. It raises public spending by 1.5% and puts priority on jobs, public works, housing, security and health while staying on the government's path to reduce the deficit. For suppliers this means some public-works and housing contracts, but overall fiscal stimulus stays limited.

Ministerio de Hacienda; Emol · 2026-09-30

The central bank reported that job conditions have worsened, business and consumer confidence has fallen, and higher fuel prices have cut into the incomes of firms and households, with recent storms adding to the damage. Entrants selling to Chilean consumers should plan for weak demand through the end of 2026.

Banco Central de Chile, IPoM September 2026 · 2026-09-09

Some legislators criticised programme cuts in the 2027 budget. On 5 October Finance Minister Quiroz said individual spending lines can still change in Congress, but total spending and the fiscal targets will not. The debate is an early test of how well the Kast government can work with Congress after its main reform law passed in August.

BioBioChile · 2026-10-05