The initiative, supported by the Sustainable Productive Development Program (DPS), led by the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism and Corfo, aims to entities with the potential to implement specialized care plans to modernize productive processes and sustainability of SMEs in the fishing, aquaculture and sustainable construction sectors.

With the sea as the backdrop and within the framework of the Chiloé Bicentennial Plan in the Los Lagos region, Corfo officially launched the new call for the Sustainable Development Network (RFS), aimed at entities with the potential to implement a plan of attention oriented towards improving the productivity of SMEs through technological extension services.

The initiative includes two parallel calls: one focused on SMEs in the fishing and aquaculture sectors in the Los Lagos and Aysén regions, and another aimed at sustainable construction in the Maule, Ñuble, Biobío and La Araucanía regions.

The objective of these calls for proposals is to select a specialized service provider that allows SMEs to access tools to improve their productivity and sustainability in key sectors of two macrozones of the country. With this initiative, we aim to implement a technological extension network that provides specialized attention to companies, supporting them in the adoption and use of technologies to modernize their processes. "productivos", noted Claudio Maggi, Director of Territorial Development at Corfo.

On the occasion, Luis Cárdenas Mayorga, Seremi of Economy, Development and Tourism in the Los Lagos region, highlighted that this call "fulfills a commitment undertaken by President Boric and the Ministry of Economy, which seeks to consolidate the Chiloé Bicentennial Plan. This network is a key tool because it will not only allow progress in technological challenges, but also in competitiveness, generating higher income and supporting sectors that require a fundamental boost such as artisanal fishing and small-scale aquaculture. scale.”

With the support of the Sustainable Productive Development Program (SDP) led by the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism and Corfo, this initiative seeks to enable SMEs to modernize their processes, optimize resources and adapt to new market requirements and environmental regulations. To this end, productive diagnoses and specialized support will be carried out.

In particular, on the RFS for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Undersecretary of Economy and Smaller Enterprises, Javiera Petersen“In recent months, our teams have worked on the implementation of this economic plan, the same one that Minister Nicolás Grau announced here, during his visit to the province in February of this year. Just a few weeks ago, for example, in the commune of Queilen, INDESPA announced the programs it will develop within the framework of the plan, and today we are very happy to present to you this call with which, through technological development services, we will contribute to improvements for fisheries and aquaculture in the province in a sustainable way.”

By their part, Gastón Vidal Santana, Head of Aquaculture Division, Institute of Fisheries Development (IFOP)“The most important impact of this call is the growth of the sector, and that it is sustainable,” he said. International experience shows that small businesses can achieve greater profitability when addressing their productive gaps. This project will make it possible to make that leap and to put small-scale aquaculture on a more competitive level compared to what is happening in more developed countries.”

Corfo will co-finance up to 80% of the total cost of each project, with a ceiling of $900 million. The remaining 20 per cent must be provided by the implementing beneficiary and its partners, either in monetary resources or in value.

Thanks to this support, the projects of the Sustainable Development Network will be able to deliver innovative solutions to companies that incorporate 4.0 technologies - such as automation, digitization, Big Data or Internet of Things (IoT) - as well as practices for sustainability and circular economy.

The services implemented should include technological diagnostics and extension services that have a direct impact on productivity, while promoting responsible practices with the environment and the social environment.

Proposals may be submitted through the Corfo website until 22 September. www.corfo.cl  or you can ask your questions to consultasloslagos@corfo.cl