The Chamber of Deputies today approved with broad and cross-party support, both in general and in detail, the National Reconstruction and Economic Development and Social Progress bill, concluding its first constitutional reading and marking a decisive step forward for one of President José Antonio Kast's most significant economic initiatives.

Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz valued the outcome and thanked the substantial support that made approval possible: "Today we have received historic support. First and foremost, our gratitude to the parliamentarians who comprise the government coalition. Also, very especially, to those who—guided by commitment to principles and ideas that benefit the country—gave us their backing. I refer to the National Libertarian Party and many members of Partido de la Gente who supported this initiative, and some other parliamentarians who also supported specific measures," he stated.

This legislative initiative responds to a concrete concern: low growth and employment deterioration. The breadth of support demonstrates shared understanding of the urgency to move forward. Chile has been growing around 2% for 12 years. Over 850,000 people seek employment without finding it, and unemployment has exceeded 8% continuously for over 30 months.

"The only way to move forward, and therefore the only way to continue providing social benefits and meeting the needs of all Chileans, is with growth. By growing. And there is only one way to grow: restore creative energy to the private sector, which is what drives economies. Every economy that has emerged in the world has done so with a significant dose of private sector momentum," Minister Quiroz emphasized.

The National Reconstruction and Economic Development and Social Progress bill is structured around five pillars: reconstruction of areas affected by wildfires in Ñuble, Biobío, and Viña del Mar; reactivation of the construction sector; restoration of tax competitiveness; regulatory streamlining to unlock stalled investments; and fiscal responsibility.

Taken together, the minister affirmed, the bill "restores to the country the appropriate environment to increase investment, boost growth, and above all increase employment and provide work opportunities to all Chileans."

The initiative was examined in three Chamber committees. The Finance Committee met between April 22 and May 14, approving the central measures. The Labor Committee weighed in on May 18 on labor provisions. The Environment Committee, which met on May 14 and 18, approved by majority all provisions on regulatory simplification, environmental permits, and aquaculture. That technical work culminated today in a Chamber vote, where the initiative received 90 votes in favor.

With the Chamber's passage complete, the bill now proceeds to its second constitutional reading in the Senate. For this next stage, the Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its willingness to continue dialogue with all political sectors, with the aim of reaching the broadest possible agreements on an initiative oriented toward recovering growth, protecting employment, and addressing Chileans' most urgent needs.