November 17, Barcelona.- The Chilean stand at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona received over 1,200 visits. Chile was the only Latin American nation to have its own pavilion at this important international event. Its representatives have attended the expo since 2014, but this is the first time it has brought such a large delegation and promoted the country’s image so strongly.

Ten firms attended the event with ProChile. MetricArts, which is owned by Patricio Jofré, was the only Chilean company selected to present its project at the international congress. The company offers solutions for identifying public transportation evasion and others for early environmental alerts. It is currently working with Chile’s Production Development Corporation (Corfo), the Valparaíso subway system and Chile’s Ministry of the Environment.

Chile’s delegation was composed of 23 companies and public and private institutions that work on and develop technological solutions for the cities of the future.

The Chilean stand was inaugurated on Wednesday, November 15. The event, which was attended by some 50 guests, featured the participation of ProChile Director Alejandro Buvinic; Chile’s Trade Attaché in Madrid, Roberto Paiva; ICT Services Brand Ambassador Mónica Retamal; and SE Santiago Manager Pedro Vidal.

“Our stand had over 1,200 visitors over the course of the three-day fair. The Chilean companies participated in the business roundtable, generating a great deal of interest on the part of buyers, cities and municipalities. All of them expanded their networks and there are clear opportunities for business and strategic alliances in the short- and medium- terms,” explained ProChile Director Alejandro Buvinic, who attended the event.

Smart Cities from Chile to the World

Over the past three years, ProChile has undertaken focused efforts with the ICT sector, especially in the area of Smart Cities, with an eye on internationalization. In the past few years, Chile has participated in the sector’s most important international fairs, including Smart City Expo Latam in Puebla, Mexico, where our country had a delegation of 10 companies, and the Smart City World Congress in Barcelona, which Chile has attended since 2014. Chile, the only Latin American country with a national stand, has increased its business and physical presence annually.

ProChile has a sectorial plan to support the internationalization of these firms.

Chile, A World of Services

The “Ask about Chile: A World of Services” campaign was presented during inauguration of the stand. Its purpose is to present Chile as a competitive global service provider, highlighting its potential in the areas of engineering, information technologies and the creative economy. Brand Ambassador Mónica Retamal noted, “I have been working in information technology for over 20 years, and I have actively promoted my companies’ internationalization. I know that Chilean professionals are valued because we are responsible, creative and are supported by a significant level of political and economic stability.”

Click here to view photos of Chile’s participation in Smart City Barcelona.