The Secretary for International Economic Relations, Jorge Neme, referred to President Alberto Fernández’ speech and highlighted that “the strategy of the Foreign Ministry to open new markets and work with the private sector in the Public Private Council is vital to generate foreign currency with production, to create high-quality employment and to consolidate a national exporting culture.”
Neme welcomed the fact that the Argentine President had started his speech to the Joint Sessions of Congress with positive indicators in exports after an unprecedented decline in international trade as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic: “Argentina recorded a trade surplus of USD 1,068 million during January and exports increased by 7.3%. This is the first month in which exports have been positive again and this shows that the reconstruction of Argentina has begun,” the Secretary stated.
The president highlighted in his speech that “increasing exports is vital to obtain more foreign currency and achieve balanced decentralization in Argentina” and highlighted “the creation of a Public-Private Council to Promote Exports, comprising officials working with 247 sectoral chambers representing 18 thousand companies, in order to stimulate sales and investment.” In this regard, he said that “political, social, and business leaders must work together to rebuild Argentina. That goal requires, as an essential condition, a path of agreements for us to achieve integral and sustainable development for the country.” Neme stated that the Foreign Ministry will continue to promote dialogue with the productive sector to learn about their issues in greater detail and create appropriate methods to aid them in the export challenge.
The Secretary also highlighted the President’s reference to the importance of constructive engagement with the Argentine Agro-industrial Council, when he underscored the “initiatives undertaken to strengthen investment to add value, increase production and exports. We will promote agro-industrial investment through tax incentives and predictability in order to stimulate investment in the sector, generating more employment and added value.”