2013 Argentina Blog: Opening Session on Economic and Political Outlook

Eduardo Eurkenian, vice president of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce, gave welcoming remarks and praised the ten-year-old conference for its lucid interpretations of international realities.

He began by outlining the economic context of the conference. Ten years ago, when AS/COA’s Buenos Aires conference began, Argentina was recovering from an economic crisis and the country, alongside the entire region, experienced a period of sustained growth. In 2008, he continued, the developed economies fell into the great recession that complicated the path to growth in emerging markets.

Now, Eurkenian said, developed countries are beginning to grow again as developing economies maintain stability. The challenge that remains for Argentina as well as for the South Common Market—the principal trade alliance the country belongs to—is to maintain this growth. Furthermore, greater integration with the country’s Pacific neighbors needs to be fomented.

Now, globalization is breaking down barriers, both commercial and cultural, he noted. The world is unifying, and this is providing greater opportunities for all. International trade should be incentivized as interacting with other countries promotes growth and prosperity.

In particular, education can help much with this, especially educational innovation, he added. This, said the vice president, will help bring about a more just and ethical world for all.
Chief of Government of the City of Buenos Aires Maurico Macri began his remarks by assuring that regardless of current pressures in Argentina—such as inflation and a controversial political environment—he feels optimistic about the future.

This bright future, however, needs to be encouraged. The country, said Macri, needs business leaders more willing to express their opinions on how best to continue growth in Argentina. This, alongside a government willing to broaden its perspectives on growth, will help spur development, he said.

The city of Buenos Aires, said Macri, sees small- and medium-sized enterprises, the audiovisual sector, arts and culture, and design as strong industries that will help fuel future engines of growth. In Argentina, agriculture is a traditiona generator of growth. The country, however, needs to move ahead with developing new and intelligent engines of prosperity.

And this, Marcri noted, is achieved through education, both now and for future generations. The private sector, as well as the state, needs to have a major role by helping improve schools, universities, and educational standards in general. In Argentina, he concluded, there needs to be an effort to move away from internecine conflicts to help unite the country and create opportunities for all.

Watch the opening session video (starts at 48:45)