The Antofagasta Region presents the second highest economic growth in the countrymarking an increase in 7.8%, results shared by the Central Bank at a meeting organized by the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA)and the issuing entity, and where its president, Rosanna Costaalong with referring to the regional panorama, presented the main axes of the new Monetary Policy Report (IPoM).
According to preliminary information from the National Accounts, During the first quarter of 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Antofagasta was the second highest after Tarapacá, which registered an expansion of 9.1%. These positive numbers in the regional economy were directly influenced by the mining and energy industryespecially for the high demands in the extraction of minerals such as copper or lithieither.
On the occasion, the president of the Central Bank stated that This positive balance in the regional economy is not only influenced by the mining industry, but also by the energy sector, which has taken a relevant role.. “The energy industry has conquered new investment spaceswhich has caused this growth for the territory, generating a positive impact on the quality of life of the community.”
For its part, Fernando Cortez, general manager of AIA, stated that “we see with optimism the dynamism of the national economy in recent months, the data that has been released is favorable for our region, since Thanks to predominant sectors such as mining and energy, our territory plays a key role in both the growth of the local and national economy.l.”
The view of the latest Report
According to the Report, the economy has managed to resolve the high imbalances of previous years, with inflation around its target and inflation expectations anchored in the target. 3% over two years.
The monetary authority reiterated that The Council will take precautions to ensure compliance with the inflation target, evaluating, on the one hand, that the spread of the shock is as expected and that inflationary persistence does not increase. In turn, that politics adequately accompany the economy, when it has entered a process in which Its growth is gradually approaching levels consistent with its trend and the labor market is improving.
He explained that the current scenario grants greater flexibility to monetary policy than in previous quartersos, given the resolution of macroeconomic imbalances and the decline in inflation, and also due to the realignment of inflation expectations with the target.
In this regard, Rosanna Costa, assured that “If we make a comparison with the Report presented in March, we see clear positive growth in the countrythis directly affected by the sustained increase we saw in the value of coppere in recent months, which in turn has an impact on these positive figures, on the growth of investment and on the consumption capacity in the country.”
Another positive aspect revealed in the report ensures that Inflation has stabilized close to the 3% target, which has a favorable impact on the national economyl, representing a relief for thousands of Chilean homes.
Positive national balance and especially for the Antofagasta Region, whose mining and energy industries represent important advances in economic development which, at the same time, poses solid challenges and a call to sustain these numbers that ensure the leadership of the region, stated the AIA.
