The space brings together 16 member companies of the Antofagasta Industrial Association, promoting local innovation, value chain integration and new business opportunities for suppliers linked to the mining, energy and industrial sectors.
Small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role in the development of Chile’s mining, energy and industrial sectors. To support their growth, showcase their capabilities and create new commercial opportunities, EXPONOR 2026 once again features the AIA-SME Pavilion, a dedicated platform designed to connect regional suppliers with mining, energy and industrial companies from Chile and around the world.
This year, the pavilion brings together 16 member companies of the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA), which throughout the four-day exhibition are showcasing their solutions, expertise and value proposition to thousands of industry professionals and decision-makers from international markets. The initiative aims to strengthen local supplier development and expand their participation in the value chains that support strategic sectors of the Chilean economy.
Alejandra Giménez, Director of the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA), highlighted that “for the Antofagasta Industrial Association, the most important objective is contributing to regional development. That is why creating spaces such as the AIA-SME Pavilion is so important. It allows small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their offerings to national and international markets at an affordable cost, highlighting their innovations, developments and capabilities. Our goal is to promote the region’s entrepreneurial talent and connect it with the mining industry in Chile and around the world, especially considering that more than 30 countries are participating in this edition of EXPONOR.”
Among the participating companies is KC Limitada, a company specializing in comprehensive support services for solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) operations in cathode production plants. Its Operations Manager, Juan Sánchez Solet, highlighted the value of the initiative, stating that “this space is excellent because of the visibility and positioning it provides. Beyond marketing, it gives us the opportunity to establish partnerships, identify new business opportunities and learn about innovations that can strengthen our growth as a company.”
Another participating company is Grupo Azcana, which through its subsidiaries provides earthmoving, road maintenance, industrial logistics and port operations services across multiple industries. Its Commercial Manager, Juan Carlos Bakovic, stated that “the AIA-SME Pavilion is a fantastic initiative because it strengthens local companies in Antofagasta. Here we have the opportunity to showcase our services, build new connections and demonstrate that the region is home to suppliers capable of delivering valuable solutions for mining, logistics and industry.”
Throughout the four-day exhibition, companies participating in the AIA-SME Pavilion will have the opportunity to hold business meetings, establish relationships with major corporations and gain insight into emerging technological and operational trends, strengthening their integration into the mining and energy value chains.
Through initiatives such as the AIA-SME Pavilion, EXPONOR 2026 reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the regional business ecosystem and creating opportunities for more local suppliers to become part of the economic and productive development of the Antofagasta Region, now firmly established as an internationally recognized mining, energy, industrial, port and technology hub.
