CBC Survey: 54% of early-stage investment projects in Chile are led by foreign companies

According to an InvestChile analysis of CBC data, FDI-related projects totaled US$154.4 billion in the second quarter, representing 64% of the total value of private projects.

In Chile, approximately US$285 billion is associated with early-stage investment projects announced by companies, some of which have progressed to implementation and already have an approved Environmental Qualification Resolution.

Of that total, 54% corresponds to 583 FDI-related initiatives totaling US$154 billion, according to the latest Corporación de Bienes de Capital (CBC) survey, which is based on data through the second quarter of 2026. The surveyed FDI-related projects make up 64% of all private projects.

The projects included in the survey may merely indicate an intention to invest. However, according to an analysis conducted by InvestChile, in some cases they have made significant progress: of the FDI-related projects, 61% are in the conceptual and/or basic engineering stage, while 5% are already in the detailed engineering stage. “Therefore, significant resources have already been allocated to the development of these projects,” according to the report by the agency responsible for promoting foreign investment in the country.

The main countries of origin for projects with approved Environmental Qualification Resolutions are the United States (US$8.2 billion), Germany (US$5.1 billion) and Spain (US$3.9 billion)—primarily in energy and mining. By sector, InvestChile highlighted the number of existing energy projects: 75% of privately funded initiatives in that sector are led by foreign companies.

General analysis

InvestChile reported a 4.2% increase in the total project value during the first quarter, amounting to US$ 273.5 billion. “Although this section of the survey covers early-stage projects, it is significant that the total value is the highest in the past decade,” InvestChile stated.

Additionally, 22% of the total value of projects without a set timeline has already secured an approved Environmental Qualification Resolution, and projects representing 39% of the total investment are currently in the Environmental Assessment System.