Argentina
September 3rd, 2021
1. Ministry of Productive Development presents production policies for coming years
Productive Development Minister Matías Kulfas presented “Strategy and Actions for Productive Development 2020-2023”, which details the different public policies carried out since the beginning of the current administration and the axes to develop this structure in the future. After analyzing the situation in December 2019, the report highlights the assistance programs to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Work and Production Assistance Program (ATP) and the Emergency Family Income (IFE). The document lists ten work axes for the future, among them, the strengthening of domestic industry; production financing; export development and competitiveness; the promotion of the Knowledge Economy and Industry 4.0; the development of consumption and the domestic market (highlighting the programs Ahora12 and Precios Cuidados), among others. This presentation took place within the framework of the celebration of the Industry Day (September 2), for which the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) organized an event that was not attended by President Alberto Fernández, following the tensions that arose after the UIA’s proposal to not pay the salary of unvaccinated workers.
Argentina.gob.ar: Kulfas presentó los pilares de la política industrial 2020-2023
Cronista: Día de la Industria: Alberto faltó al acto de la UIA y viajó a Chaco a visitar a Capitanich
2. The national government extends ban on meat exports
By means of Joint Resolution 7/2021 signed by the Ministry of Productive Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the national government extended the suspension of meat exports through October 31. In this sense, the regulation justifies the decision arguing that it managed to stabilize domestic prices and benefitted the entire supply chain. It should be recalled that the measure was taken in June of this year, through Decree 408/2021, with the purpose of containing increases in the price of meat for consumers. The agricultural board, Mesa de Enlace, for its part, expressed its total rejection of this measure which has a strong impact on the livestock production sector and also maintains that it discourages the entry of foreign currency.
Ámbito Financiero: Gobierno extienden freno a las exportaciones de carne
3. Chilean Foreign Ministry rejects Chilean government decree extending continental shelf
The national government, through a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, rejected an executive order issued by Chilean President Sebastián Piñera which extended the continental shelf of the trans-Andean country overlapping with the national territorial delimitation. According to the organization led by Felipe Solá, the decision contradicts the Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed between the two countries in 1984. In the midst of this conflict, the Chancellor spoke before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he explained the position of the Argentine government. Finally, both official and opposition senators agreed to support the position of the executive.
La Nación: El Gobierno rechazó un decreto de Piñera que amplió la plataforma continental de Chile sobre territorio argentino
La Nación: Felipe Solá rechazó en el Senado la pretensiones chilenas sobre la plataforma continental
4. Province of Buenos Aires announced creditor approval of debt restructuring process
Within the framework of a conference headed by Governor Axel Kicillof, the Minister of Finance of the Province of Buenos Aires, Pablo López, announced on Monday near complete approval on the part of creditors to restructure its debt in foreign currency. The provincial government’s offer proposes a reduction of the original commitments by approximately 75%, (USD $4.45 billion) for the period 2020-2024. According to López, the district will achieve “financial relief” of more than USD $4.6 billion between this year and 2027. Governor Axel Kicillof pointed to the government of his predecessor, María Eugenia Vidal, for the debt burden, and former President Mauricio Macri, in relation to the commitment made by the previous administration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
5. Those who have COVID-19 or are close contacts will not be able to vote in the City of Buenos Aires
Almost a week before the Primary, Open, Simultaneous and Mandatory (PASO) elections, a decision of the National Criminal and Correctional Federal Court N°1 with electoral competence, in charge of María Romilda Servini de Cubría, ruled that “people who are suffering from the COVID-19 disease and/or have symptoms compatible with it must continue with the isolation established in due time by the corresponding public health authorities and must not go to vote”, as well as close contacts, for sanitary reasons. Those who are affected by this measure will not be allowed to enter the establishment and the non-issuance of the vote will be justified, having to carry out the procedures with the corresponding medical certificates.