The Ministry of Economy announced on March 30 new steps to modernize Chile’s sectoral permit system, aiming to accelerate project approvals through regulatory simplification, technology adoption, and improved institutional coordination.
This initiative was presented during a meeting with the Chilean Chamber of Construction. The ministry outlined its progress in reducing processing times and enhancing legal certainty for investment by reforming how permits are granted for projects.
Pablo Eguiguren, head of the Office of Sectoral Authorizations and Investment (OASI), said that current processes are complex, involve multiple institutions, and lead to delays that affect project development and economic recovery. The government is implementing a structural fast track for sectoral permits that includes regulatory simplification, targeted management, technological modernization using artificial intelligence, and the introduction of Alternative Enabling Techniques (THA). These techniques are supported by the Framework Law on Sectoral Authorizations (LMAS) and will help standardize administrative procedures across different services.
“Today the sectoral permit system operates with high levels of fragmentation, differing criteria between services and duplication of requirements,” Eguiguren said. “Alternative Enabling Techniques allow us to correct these structural flaws by standardizing processes, limiting discretionality and establishing common rules that make the system more predictable, traceable and efficient.”
The OASI’s role is also being strengthened in coordinating permits across critical services as well as developing a digital platform called SUPER. This platform aims to improve traceability, information integration and efficiency in processing applications.
Daniel Mas, Minister for Economy and Mining, said this marks a shift from diagnosis to implementation: “Today it is not enough just to recognize that permits are a problem; we are moving forward with concrete measures to simplify processes and reduce processing times.” Mas added: “What we are promoting is a structural process that will speed up sectoral permits but with clear rules while strengthening legal certainty—which is key for investment. This is fundamental for generating more jobs that contribute to better quality of life.” Implementation will proceed gradually with an initial focus on critical services within strategic sectors.
