Malcorra in Davos: “Interest in Argentina remains very high”

“We have a multiple agenda. We are a team of several Ministers and some Secretaries trying through intense coordination to maximize contacts and cover all meetings related to Argentina’s priorities. “Interest in our country and the level of attention paid to it remain very high,” Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra told to radio station Radio Mitre from Davos, where she is participating in the Economic Forum together with Ministers Nicolás Dujovne (Finance), Francisco Cabrera (Production), and Esteban Bullrich (Education).

“The presence of the President would have drawn even more attention, but we know that he has to define priorities on his agenda. Probably next year, since the G20 will be held in Argentina, the President will return to Davos. Now we are here on his behalf,” explained Malcorra.

The Argentine Foreign Minister explained that: “Argentina has come to Davos to show what has been done and to talk about what remains to be done. We have the need and the intention to continue opening up to the world, attracting investments as well as trade opportunities. Argentina’s growth must include regional economies, added value and integration into value chains. Many of the ideas of the new administration have already been implemented, and others, such as our ambitious infrastructure plan, require the participation of all interested parties around the world.”

“In the discussions held to date, I have not picked up any signals of uncertainty with regard to whether to invest or not in Argentina. There is, however, global uncertainty in Davos with respect to the changes in Europe and the United States. There are lots of questions and few answers. At the same time, there is a feeling that communication through social networks and the media, as well as campaign rhetoric, are different from actual politics,” she added.

When asked about possible changes in the Argentine immigration system, Malcorra noted: “Argentina’s immigration legislation is one of the most flexible in the world. Argentina is what it is today thanks to immigration. All of us have a parent or grandparent who had to flee war or hunger, and this has left a mark on our society. The Argentine Constitution provides that all men and women of good will are welcome. This should be the essence of our legal framework. Nevertheless, when there are people who attempt to take advantage of our openness and who have criminal records, ties to drug trafficking or other crimes, I believe this has to be factored in and decisions must be taken.”

“I think we must review our legislation in order to identify the problem and determine to what extent it has to do with the legislation itself or with its implementation. My counterpart from Colombia, for example, told me at the beginning of our administration that there were databases available, and we have started to work to integrate them. This is a very important source of information. Latin American integration is necessary at this level too. Integration must take place in all dimensions,” she explained.

Malcorra further explained: “When we talk about Latin America accepting the free circulation of its citizens, we must do so responsibly and have the technological elements, databases and tools required. This is essential. Data exchange in the region should be a requirement. If we have all the tools, we must use them, and adapt them where necessary.”

Finally, she added: “The President has set up a work group to this end, because these things cannot be done overnight. They require serious analysis and responsible work.”