"This meeting is a new step towards integration among firms, including integration of value chains and the search for supplementary and complementary actions, as well as towards interest in investment and infrastructure projects. Thus, we expect to generate a comprehensive idea, because the partnership between Argentina and China is one of the main aspects of our strategy," stated Foreign Minister Malcorra in Beijing as she opened the Business and Investment Forum between both countries.
"We have engaged in this type of forums since we started to make trips around the world through Presidential visits. We always seek government and private participation because we believe that the State must provide opportunities but, in the end, things are done, the economy moves and job opportunities are created when the private sector is active and involved," she highlighted.
In statements to foreign media, Malcorra explained: "There is a vast number of firms present and a vast number of agreements to be signed or endorsed tomorrow between Chinese companies and the Argentine Government, so there already is a concrete reaction by Chinese companies. However, this is just the first step; from now on, there are more opportunities and this is what we expect to obtain from this Business Forum."
The head of Argentine diplomacy underscored: "We received a list of projects that had been approved by the former administration and we clearly explained the Chinese Government that we wanted to revise them. We had to make sure that those projects were in line with our Government's priorities, and that they complied with all aspects of the regulatory and legal frameworks existing in Argentina."
"The issue of the dams in the South was conditioned by important environmental factors and will be discussed tomorrow by Presidents Macri and Xi Jingping; progress has been made on the implementation and we are at the last stage of approval. As regards nuclear energy, there has been progress and tomorrow a preliminary document will be signed to later conclude the agreement within the following months, but there already is a commitment that will work as expected by both countries," she explained.
Malcorra stated clearly: "These things do not occur overnight. We did not feel that we had to reassure the Chinese Government about the commitment and participation of the Argentine Government."
"From the very beginning, we have expressed our desire to achieve an intelligent insertion of Argentina into the world, that is, to work with all those that share our values and principles, and to be open to all opportunities. Working with one country does not imply staying away from others and we believe that Argentina offers many possibilities and ample opportunities. We are working so that all this will have an impact on the real economy, on people and on the creation of jobs, with the participation of the private sector. This is why we are here," she concluded.
Press release No. 186/17
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