Apr 13, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Chilean wood products manufacturer Masisa will invest nearly $96 million in 2009, mainly on a plant in Brazil and in forestry, daily El Mercurio quoted new CEO Roberto Salas as saying. "Investment for 2009 (totals) $95.8 million, of which around half is for industrial investment - mainly finishing a board plant in Brazil - and the other half in forestry," Salas told the paper in an interview. Salas said Masisa, which has fired 1,500 workers in the face of global financial crisis, is seeking to reduce its debt and expand in Brazil. He said the company was also open to acquiring "interesting assets" if opportunities arise. Masisa's shareholders in December approved a $100 million capital increase to pay off short-term debt. Earlier this year the company placed $100 million worth of bonds on the local market, joining a cluster of local companies raising capital via corporate debt issues to avoid seeking financing on crisis-hit global markets. Masisa has operations in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico.