JUL 2013 July 2013

ARGENTINA
MONTHLY
Washington, D.C.
July 2013
This monthly newsletter highlights diverse aspects of Argentina’s economic, political and social matters with a focus
on the broad agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the United States. With the inclusion of firsthand
testimonies gathered from US and Argentine experts representing the public, business, academic and scientific
sectors, this newsletter explores relevant topics of interest to policymakers, investors and researchers, among others.
In this issue, the “Bilateral Relations” section provides an overview of mutual cooperation in science and technology,
one of the areas in which the US and Argentina work together. The development of a vibrant national innovation
system has been at the core of Argentina’s growth strategy since 2003. Bilateral collaboration with the US in this area
is also part of Argentina’s broad strategy of international cooperation in science and technology, an area for which our
country is globally renowned.
Tarek Farahat, President for Latin America of Procter & Gamble, shares his firsthand experience at the helm of this
leading multinational in the section “Face-To-Face, a US perspective on Argentina.” Attracted by the business
opportunities and a dynamic domestic and regional market, P&G is one of the 500 US companies operating in
Argentina that have benefitted from the longest period of sustained growth in the country’s history (2003-2013).
Finally, the section “Did you know…?” presents some of the attributes of the value added technical and professional
services sector in Argentina. This is one of the many thriving sectors that have contributed to economic and export
diversification over the past years.
The topics addressed in this issue highlight some of Argentina’s achievements over the past ten years and are an
example of why we call this historic period “A Decade Won”.
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Worship
Argentine Republic
BILATERAL
RELATIONS
FACE-TO-FACE
DID YOU
KNOW...?
Bilateral Cooperation
in Science and
Technology
A US Perspective on
Argentina: Procter &
Gamble
Argentina: Leader in
Value Added
Professional Services
Embassy of Argentina
Washington, D.C.
BILATERAL
RELATIONS
Bilateral Cooperation in
Science and Technology
Lino Barañao, Minister of Science,
Technology and Productive
Innovation with Dr. Cora Marrett,
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Satellite SAC-D/Aquarius
ARGENTINA
MONTHLY
Embassy of Argentina
Washington, D.C.
The development of science and technology is
an integral part of Argentina’s development
strategy and a top policy priority. Numerous
milestones reflect the public sector’s commitment,
including the creation of the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Productive Innovation in 2007.
In addition, from 2003 to 2011, investments made
in R&D and scientific and technological activities
grew 29% per year on average, while the number
of researchers and fellows almost doubled to
surpass 79,000 during the same period.
The launch in 2011 of the Argentine satellite
SAC-D/Aquarius —whose mission is to measure
sea surface salinity and variability— in
conjunction with NASA was the outcome of
ongoing aerospace collaborative efforts between
Argentina’s National Space Activities Commission
and NASA.
This level of cooperation is also reflected in over
200 research projects connecting scientists from
both countries in fields such as biotechnology,
nanotechnology, climate change, health and
STEM education, among many others.
In April, after attending the "2013 BIO
International Convention" in Chicago with a
delegation of 30 Argentine companies,
Argentina’s Minister of Science, Technology and
Productive Innovation, Lino Barañao met with
top science and technology officials in
Washington, including John Holdren (Director of
the White House Office of Science and Technology
Policy), Charles Bolden (NASA Administrator),
Kerry Ann-Jones (Assistant-Secretary of the
Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science of
the Department of State) and Cora Marrett
(Acting Director of the National Science
Foundation).
Barañao outlined Argentina’s “National Plan for
Science, Technology and Innovation”, which sets
policy guidelines for 2014-2020, and the “Blue
Pampa” project recently launched by the
President of Argentina, an initiative which focuses
on the study of the preservation of biodiversity
and the impact of climate on marine life.
The upcoming second Joint Committee Meeting
on Science and Technology Cooperation (JCM)
between Argentina and the United States,
scheduled for the second quarter of 2014 in
Washington, was also addressed during these
meetings.
The first JCM, which took place in Buenos Aires
in September 2010, was an excellent opportunity
for delegates representing government offices,
technical agencies, academic institutions and
laboratories from both countries to explore and
discuss ongoing and new collaborative activities.
Issues of shared interest for both countries such
as STEM education, nanotechnology and ocean
science are some of the likely topics for the second
JCM.
A US Perspective on Argentina:
Procter & Gamble
FACE-TO-FACE
P&G Plant, Pilar, Argentina
Tarek Farahat, Procter & Gamble
President, Latin America
“We experienced consistent double digit growth
during the past decade...”
Procter & Gamble has been successful in
Argentina during the past ten years, reaching
US$ 1BN investment in the country since 1991,
and our operational experience has largely been
positive. We experienced consistent double digit
growth during the past decade, leading to new
investments in our manufacturing capabilities
in the country and the introduction of many
new products.
Our business in Argentina grew by more
than 10% in 2012. We are determined to
continue this trend of strong growth by bringing
new and innovative products and categories to
Argentine consumers. Argentina is a very
important market for P&G and we are excited to
be a part of the continued growth of local
consumption.
Our long-term commitment to Argentina is
demonstrated by the expansion of our
operations, even in the most difficult economic
times. In 2002 we opened a manufacturing
facility for the production of our pet food
brands Eukanuba and Iams. In 2003, we
expanded our presence in the hair care market
with Pantene and Head & Shoulders, and
continued that expansion in 2011 with the local
launch of Herbal Essences. Our acquisition of
Gillette in 2005 accelerated our development in
the market and in 2008 we opened a new
distribution center to accompany our growth.
We announced to President Cristina
Fernández de Kirchner a US$ 120MM
investment plan which includes new
manufacturing capacity in Argentina as well as
an expansion of our distribution center. These
important investments will allow us to increase
our local production, grow exports to the
region, and continue to support the
development of Argentina’s economy and the
communities in which we live and work. We are
committed to Argentina for many years to
come.
We will continue to partner with the
government of Argentina to ensure an efficient
supply chain that will allow us to better serve
consumers with a wider range of products
imports and local production. Win-win
partnerships like this are a key to our success as
a company and will allow us to realize the
growth potential we see in the Argentine
market.
ARGENTINA
MONTHLY
Embassy of Argentina
Washington, D.C.
Argentina: Leader in Value
Added Professional Services
DID YOU
KNOW...?
1
A highly qualified and creative labor force, competitive costs, and a convenient time zone for real-time
communications with US-based headquarters have led to an increasing presence of international companies in the
Value Added Technical and Professional Services segment in Argentina, such as IBM, Cognizant, Neoris, Teletech,
Accenture, HP and Electronic Data Systems, among others.
2
More than 1,600 firms make up the dynamic software and IT services sector in Argentina. Argentine software
companies’ global projection is expanding as one quarter of its production is exported, mainly to the US.
3
The most recent edition of the Gunn Report (2012), the most authoritative analysis of advertising campaigns
worldwide, places Argentina among the top five countries in the world for developing and producing ideas.
4
Argentina was named Country of Honor at MIPCOM 2013, the largest global market for the sale of entertainment
content across all platforms held every year in Cannes, France, with over 13,000 registered delegates from more
than 100 countries.
5
Other outstanding segments are auditing, legal advice, financial services, human resources management,
architecture, engineering and health services.
6
Argentina ranks first in Latin America and 20th in the world on the 2012 EF English Proficiency Index, created as a
standardized measurement of the English Proficiency of 1.7 million adults, comparable between countries and over
time.
Contact Us
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Worship
Argentine Republic
Embassy of Argentina
Washington, D.C.
ARGENTINA
MONTHLY
1600 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202 238 6401
[email protected]
www.embassyofargentina.us