As part of the strategy for the international insertion of Argentina, last week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a series of initiatives coordinated by the Secretary for International Economic Relations, MarIa Cristina Boldorini, with a view to strengthening the economic ties of the country with the world.
On 6 September 2016, the “4th Binational Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Relations between Chile and Argentina,” was held in Santiago, Chile. At the committee, the evolution of bilateral trade, issues of market access and regulatory frameworks were discussed, as well as the possibility of developing corridors connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with a view to increasing the competitiveness of the two countries. The delegations also expressed their interest in entering into an agreement on public procurement. During the first semester of 2016, trade between the two countries reached USD 1,581 billion, with a favourable balance for Argentina of around USD 540 million. During this period, Argentine exports to Chile exceeded USD 1 billion, while imports from Chile amounted ato approximately USD 520 million.
In addition, the “2nd Meeting of the Joint Economic Committee between Argentina and Switzerland” was held on 8 September at the Palacio San Martin. Investment opportunities and key sectors for trade expansion were identified during the meeting, including transportation, infrastructure, renewable energy and the environment. The exploratory dialogue under way between MERCOSUR and EFTA (the European Free Trade Association, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) was also discussed. This European free trade agreement includes more than 13 million inhabitants with high purchasing power and an average GDP per capita that exceeds USD 56 thousand.
Finally, the Argentine Foreign Ministry hosted the Forum of Transnational Companies of the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry, comprised of more than 30 Brazilian businesspersons from top-level companies, who travelled to Argentina in order to strengthen bilateral economic integration and move towards the creation of a shared business agenda that will be presented to the authorities of the two countries. The executives were interested in the status of the external trade negotiations of MERCOSUR, particularly with the European Union.
Press Release No. 299/16
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