Argentina's Ambassador to the United States is Fernando Oris de Roa, a talented businessman, producer and exporter of citrus fruits, widely accredited in North America for having transformed the lemon industry.
But despite his career in the private sector, the 66-year-old ambassador is aware of the difficulties facing Argentina, and he is confident that he and the Foreign Ministry have the tools to collaborate with the challenge given by President Macri to transform the country into an exporting nation.
Minutes after discussing strategies to access international markets and the role of diplomatic offices as facilitators of exports to each country, at the First Argentina Exporta Forum, the ambassador attended a press conference – including Aduana News – at the Municipal Convention Center of Buenos Aires.
"What is your assessment of the Argentina Exporta Forum?" was our query
The Ambassador said: “It exceeded my expectations. It was very significant to be in the presence of the President of the Nation, the Foreign Minister and the Chief of Staff, all of whom agreed on the need for an export policy, having been an exporter since I was 17 years old. It is the first time that a government has spoken in this way. I have been in the business for fifty years, I have worked in all the governments, I have always exported… I wish I were thirty or forty years old to start a new export company. I have never seen a Foreign Ministry so open, offering services. Likewise, the forum provides more opportunities to connect with the rest of the world, it is an opportunity to train, awaken creativity and a place to share what is known, learn from others and accept the invitation to go out into the world. This is an openness that has to be part of our culture.
Argentina is a country that unfortunately does not sell. For people of my age, being a salesman is not particularly flattering. This needs to change. As an Ambassador, I am a salesman. Selling implies getting close to others, understanding their culture, being able to look at myself and value myself.
The country must learn to take advantage of opportunities. Now that there is a mortality rate among pigs in China, we think that this market will be offered to us in its entirety. We must overcome this simplification. Those who produce pork must travel to China to see how we can cooperate at a time when their industry is vulnerable. I think we have to discover how fascinating the world of exports is. This is the first time that a government has said this at a political and institutional level on the same day and place.".
Aduana News thus had the opportunity to learn the thoughts of someone who, with his experience, is a reference for the Argentine export market. We appreciate his deference and reaffirm the importance of the Argentina Exporta 2019 Forum in the sum of qualified voices, such as that of the Ambassador.
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.
