Iquique Port Authority and Zofri Seal Strategic Integration Alliance

The Empresa Portuaria Iquique (EPI) and Zofri S.A. held a working session between their boards of directors and executive teams to consolidate a strategic alliance that strengthens integration between both institutions, in what was presented as a sign of public-private coordination for the future of the region and of northern Chile's macro-zone.

The meeting was led by EPI's Board Chairman, Max Barrera, and Zofri S.A.'s Chairman, Marcos Gómez, accompanied by EPI's Vice Chair, Ximena Cancino; Director Sergio Telchi; EPI's General Manager, Rubén Castro; and Zofri S.A.'s Vice Chair, Gisela Schäfer, along with other directors and executives of the free trade zone administrator. The central focus of the session was to consolidate the concept of Port–Zofri Integration, understood as a driver that goes beyond logistics to also encompass commercial and industrial development. During the meeting, EPI presented its proposed Regional Logistics Policy, whose strategic pillars are directly linked to infrastructure design and the future development of the Iquique Free Trade Zone.

Max Barrera highlighted that the meeting represented a joint planning instance, underscoring that the Port of Iquique is an essential and critical element for Zofri's operations. He noted that there is potential for enormous growth between both institutions, and that achieving this requires setting challenges, goals and performance measurement, with the aim of generating dynamism for the region, for South America and for the Iquique community.

For his part, Marcos Gómez emphasized that the Port of Iquique and the Free Trade Zone are the two main links in the region's logistics chain, to the point that one cannot be understood without the other, nor can either be efficient on its own. He indicated that the goal of the meeting was to align synergies between what Zofri develops and what the port drives forward, in order to put forth the best possible logistics project for the Tarapacá region. With this alliance, both companies reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate visions and build a common strategy that strengthens foreign trade, competitiveness and the quality of life of families in Tarapacá.