Chile's Minister of Economy said that the Executive will work to ensure that all these economic actors find buyers so that their income is not affected and the jobs they create are not threatened.

Chilean Economy Minister Nicolás Grau spoke exclusively with Radio Bio Bio Concepción this Friday. The official from Gabriel Boric's government commented on several issues of the national and regional contingency.

Firstly, he explained that he will hold various meetings with local authorities in Bio Bio to promote the industry, considering what the closure of Huachipato entailed.

It is worth remembering that there is a Plan for Industrial Strengthening of Bío Bío, which contains a set of short- and medium-term measures to address two relevant economic challenges: first, the loss of productive dynamism in the area, which has occurred during the last decades; and second, the closure of the Steel Company.

Grau specified that the end of Huachipato also affected companies - both large and SMEs - that were suppliers, that is, those that sold products or services to the steel subsidiary of the CAP Group.

"There are, according to our estimates, 162 companies (…)", he said.

He added that they will try to find buyers so that their income is not affected and the jobs they create are not threatened.

“We must help them, support them. There will be strategic support through Corfo. They will also be helped by making investments (through the Activa plan, also from Corfo). And they will receive a subsidy so that they can retain their workers,” said the Secretary of State.

Along the same lines, he emphasized that the Industrial Strengthening Plan for Bio Bio is already underway and that the meetings that will be held in the area will aim to define governance and other points that will allow for further progress in its implementation.

Finally, Grau admitted that the region needs to strengthen its productivity and that the Chilean government is committed to making this happen.