Italian industrial mission to Argentina exploring investments and businesses. Launch of "Italy in Santa Fe" initiative, with Governor Lifschitz.
Within the context of the General Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria) mission to Argentina in order to explore new investment and business opportunities, Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie underscored today "the great possibility of increasing the presence of Italian companies in Argentina, for them to create wealth and quality jobs by working alongside Argentine companies."
During an event held at the Italian Embassy, Faurie closed this afternoon the presentation of the "Italy in Santa Fe" initiative, as part of the "Italy 24" Programme, devoted to investment and business opportunities for Italian companies in Santa Fe. The Italian Ambassador, Giuseppe Manzo, the Governor of the Province of Santa Fe, Miguel Lifschitz, and representatives of Italian companies based in Argentina and companies from Santa Fe attended the presentation.
"Italy played a leading role in Argentina's industrialization and we still need a lot of Italy nowadays. It is therefore very important for the young Italian businesspeople in Confindustria to accept the challenge of coming here today to begin the development of next-generation projects in Argentina, based on added value and technology," Faurie stated and also noted that the experience of Italians can be "an inspiration" to "build business partnerships based on shared traditions."
"This is a magnificent initiative and one we would like all embassies to be able to carry out," he added.
The Argentine Foreign Minister also remembered his roots in Santa Fe: "If there is one province with many ties to Italy, it is definitely Santa Fe. My province is a land of immigrants, where a great number of family-owned businesses became drivers of development in many towns and cities." He highlighted that "common cultural bonds make it easier to forge closer ties between businesspeople from both regions."
Faurie also stressed the importance of negotiations with a view to a future agreement between Mercosur and the EU, which would serve as a significant platform for economic growth. "This economic complementarity agreement will not be easy, but it is a common goal for both regions."
Working meeting on business and investment at Foreign Ministry
As a part of the mission of Confindustria, a Working Meeting on Business and Investment was held a few hours earlier at the Palacio San Martin, headed by the Secretary for International Economic Relations, Horacio Reyser, and with the participation of Italian and Argentine businesspeople.
"It is an excellent opportunity to continue strengthening the ties between Italy and Argentina in business and investment," Reyser stated and further added that Italy is "an important investor in Argentina."
Over 250 Italian companies currently operate in Argentina in various industries and provide employment for an estimated total of 50,000 people. Italian investments in Argentina have exceeded USD 950 million and are mainly concentrated in the automobile, energy and infrastructure sectors. "We believe that our policies will increase the number of investments," Reyser noted.
Trade exchanges grew in 2017 and reached USD 2.7 billion, which is "a figure that, with the right policies, has to significantly increase," Reyser said.
"Argentina is currently receiving strong support from the international community on all fronts: finance, economy, cooperation and trade. The fact that Italian businesspeople present in Argentina see the country as an opportunity is proof of this. We need to keep walking down this path," Reyser concluded.
Press Release No. 375/18
