From Chile to the World: Arauco Brings the Voice of the Forestry Industry to Chile Day

• The company took part in the event held in Madrid, where its CEO, Cristián Infante, spoke on a panel about Chile’s importance in the global development of the forestry sector, its experience in Brazil and the United States with authorities, and the significance of working with communities in project development.

This Friday, September 12, Arauco participated in Chile Day, the main international investment promotion event organized by the Ministry of Finance and InBest Chile. The event, held in Madrid, featured Arauco’s CEO, Cristián Infante, in the opening panel titled “Why Invest in Chile?”, where he highlighted the country’s strategic role in the global forestry industry, the company’s experience in Brazil and the United States with government authorities and the importance of community engagement in project development.

The panel, held at Casa de América, also included David Ruiz de Andrés, CEO of Grenergy; Rosario Navarro, president of Sofofa; and Vicente Huertas, general director of Grupo Indra in Peru, Chile, and the Southern Cone. The discussion was moderated by Soledad Vial, editor of Economía y Negocios Domingo at El Mercurio.

In his remarks, Infante emphasized Chile’s relevance to Arauco’s global development and encouraged a positive outlook, referring to the opportunities the country offers for project growth. When addressing the current presidential candidates, he stated that companies are not looking for “shortcuts,” but rather for clear legislation that allows them to chart a defined path. His comments drew applause from the audience: “The private sector gives the State the opportunity to be a partner in 27% of the profits generated by each company, without having to invest or take any risks. Take advantage of us, because the best way to generate resources is not by raising taxes, but through increased activity,” stressed Arauco’s top executive.

With a presence in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Arauco is driving an internationalization strategy that includes major projects such as the Sucuriú plant in Brazil and MAPA in Chile. Its participation in Chile Day 2025 reinforces this vision: positioning Chile globally as a reliable, innovative, and sustainable partner.

The panel took place immediately after the official welcome, led by authorities including Eduardo Frei, former President of Chile; Cristóbal Torres, president of Chile Day; Javier Velasco, Chile’s ambassador to Spain; Andrés Trautmann, country head and CEO Chile at Santander; and Amparo López, Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade.

The inclusion of Madrid in the Chile Day agenda marks a historic milestone, strengthening the close investment relationship between Chile and Spain in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and finance. During the opening session, Finance Minister Nicolás Grau also presented the Government’s vision on investment opportunities in Chile.