Aduana News: How do you see the future of Argentine exports?
Answer: The importance and relevance of exports in the current agenda of Argentine economic policy is a widely recognized issue.
Few issues generate such broad consensus - at least in terms of diagnosis - among politicians, businessmen and economists, both national and foreign. In this context, the devaluation of the peso and the subsequent change in relative prices that seems to be taking shape in recent months in favor of tradable goods, generates a scenario in which external markets will undoubtedly become a variable of growing relevance for a growing number of national sectors and companies.
However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that devaluation is not the "panacea" for international competitiveness, nor that its positive effects on export sectors will become visible in the short term and/or for all types of firms. As shown by the experience of developing countries that have depreciated their currencies in recent years, the process of "transmission" of new price signals to the real economy has its complexities, takes time and involves significant challenges for companies with less capacity or experience in developing foreign markets.
Customs News: What work is the Foreign Ministry doing to promote exports?
Answer: Since the new authorities took office last January, important steps have been taken in the restructuring of the internal export promotion system, in order to provide it with greater capacity for action and interaction with the business community. In this regard, a broad schedule of activities has already been launched, which includes the holding of seminars, meetings of exporters, dissemination and training sessions on specific topics, among other relevant topics. In parallel to this, active work is being done to strengthen the Export Ar Foundation, a task for which there is collaboration not only from the internal areas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs linked to the subject, but also work has begun in conjunction with organizations and private entities that have export as one of their axes of activity.
It is worth highlighting the work that has been carried out on different fronts, in order to facilitate and/or improve the conditions for the entry of Argentine products into the main markets. In this regard, it is worth highlighting the recent progress made in eliminating underlying trade barriers and obstacles with the US (particularly for sectors such as steel, honey or lemons), Mexico (automotives), the European Union (reopening of the market and expansion of the entry quota for frozen beef) and Chile (oils, wheat and flour), among others, a situation that will allow the generation of export flows of around US$ 800 million annually.
These issues are not abstract agreements or formalities of officials-negotiators. On the contrary, each of them has specific and concrete implications in terms of products, regions, possible businesses and job creation in the country.
Aduana News: How important are MERCOSUR and the FTAA for the current administration?
Answer: As has been stated on several occasions, Argentina's State policy on international negotiations is structured around MERCOSUR. From there it extends to the FTAA process, the MERCOSUR-European Union Agreement, the expansion of existing agreements with Mexico and with the CAN countries, the multilateral WTO sphere, etc. In short, a whole strategy of multiple and often simultaneous negotiations, oriented towards a global objective, which is to facilitate the best and greatest insertion of the Argentine economy - and of the companies that operate in the country - in the global flows of production, trade and investments.
Customs News: Are there plans to sign new agreements with other economic blocs?
Answer: Although the bilateral or plurilateral trade agreements in which Argentina participates at present - in their different stages of development - cover around 90% of the national foreign trade, the search for new commercial partners and the development of new markets and business opportunities is a topic that is acquiring renewed interest for our country in the face of the new national and international scenario. And he added, in this sense, and in addition to the topics already explained in the previous question, the framework agreement and the negotiations already initiated with South Africa during the year 2001, aimed at the formation of a free trade zone with MERCOSUR, should be added. In this framework, we hope that the realization in June of a commercial mission made up of businessmen from the four countries of the block will become the starting point of a process of real strengthening of the economic-commercial ties and the development of new businesses between both regions.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
