News of economy

Covid tests spark Argentine supply chain fears over border queues

18-01-2022 22:11 Up to 2,000 trucks are backed up at Argentina's main border crossing with Chile due to tougher Covid-19 testing requirements.

United States supports 'a vibrant Argentine economy,' Blinken tells Cafiero

18-01-2022 21:30 Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington for talks, with the latter describing Argentina as "a friend and partner" of the United States.

Venezuela: the decline of an oil giant in crisis

17-01-2022 08:15 The Maracaibo basin in Venezuela was once a flurry of oil activity, with a halo of light over the complex visible at night from a fair distance. Today, it is a humid swamp that stinks of oil from leaking pipes floating on the water.

Venezuela creeps out of hyperinflation, but no-one feels it

17-01-2022 07:51 Economists say Venezuela has come out of a four-year cycle of hyperinflation – but citizens are still waiting to see the evidence.

Power politics

15-01-2022 02:00 If the government cannot scale back the subsidy mountain for billing which is a virtual invitation to squander energy, an IMF agreement will be an even longer shot than it seems now – a deadlock where both the problem and its solution is increasingly seen as “geopolitical.”

What we learned this week: January 8 to 15

15-01-2022 01:00 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Covid erupts in Argentina at height of summer vacation season

14-01-2022 19:32 In Mar del Plata, crowds flock to the beaches, bars, discos, restaurants – and mobile Covid testing units.

Argentina’s monthly inflation accelerates as IMF talks stall

13-01-2022 18:29 Argentina posted its fastest monthly inflation rate in eight months on Thursday, complicating the path to deliver a stability plan as part of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Argentina wants to triple mining exports, despite social conflicts

12-01-2022 22:31 Government introducing new incentives to grow the sector over next decade, but social and environmental organisations warn of impact.

by Javier Lewkowicz, Diálogo Chino

Lula leads election poll as Brazilians fret about jobs, virus

12-01-2022 22:06 Brazilians’ worries about unemployment and Covid-19 continue to chip away at Jair Bolsonaro’s popularity, a new poll has found, leaving former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on track to win this year’s election.

Deepwater oil targeted by Argentine activists who quashed mining

11-01-2022 21:50 After a recent victory in Chubut Province, environmental activists in Argentina are trying to prevent new oil exploration in the Atlantic Ocean.

Fernández accuses IMF of seeking to ‘impose austerity’ on Argentina

11-01-2022 11:04 President Alberto Fernández accuses IMF of seeking to “impose” a programme of “austerity” on Argentina that would limit future growth.

Santa Claus does not exist – but the tourist industry does

07-01-2022 23:08 Tourism & Sports Minister Matías Lammens responds directly to Federico Sturzenegger’s critique of the government's Previaje scheme.

by Matías Lammens

There is no Santa Claus!

07-01-2022 23:06 Former Central Bank governor gives his take on the national government’s Previaje programme.

by Federico Sturzenegger

What we learned this week: January 1 to 8

07-01-2022 22:31 A selection of the stories – and images – that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Gustavo Bordet: ‘When positions become radical, votes run away from you’

07-01-2022 22:00 Entre Ríos Province governor on Argentina’s provincial leaders, Peronism and why President Alberto Fernández should stand for re-election in 2023.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

IMF critiqued for dropping tough loan standards for Covid funds

07-01-2022 01:59 Concerns among economists about the IMF’s current lighter conditionality have been simmering for months. They got renewed attention this week.

Central Bank hikes rate for first time in a year

07-01-2022 01:41 Argentina raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in over a year as it faces calls from the International Monetary Fund to tighten its monetary policy. 

Argentina challenges IMF over new deal, details disagreements

05-01-2022 21:59 President Alberto Fernández and Economy Minister Martín Guzmán lay down gauntlet to International Monetary Fund, declaring they won't accept "austerity" that threatens economic recovery.

Argentina says IMF economic plan would derail its recovery

05-01-2022 21:10 Economy Minister Martín Guzmán says economic plan proposed by the IMF as part of a US$40-billion debt renegotiation would derail the country’s recovery. 

Producers slam government’s ‘omnipresence’ as beef export ban is extended

03-01-2022 14:20 Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Ministry blocks selling of seven cuts overseas until end of 2023, sparking anger from producers who demand “free exports.”

Argentina extends export ban on popular beef cuts to tame local prices

03-01-2022 13:59 Argentina extended an export ban on seven beef cuts until the end of 2023, doubling down on its efforts to tame meat prices for local consumers.

What could possibly go wrong? The world’s biggest economic risks for 2022

31-12-2021 13:23 The Covid years are littered with predictions that didn’t work out. For anyone looking ahead into 2022, that should be enough to give pause.

2021: The world that was – events that marked a tumultuous year

31-12-2021 13:18 From the Covid pandemic to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and extreme weather, here’s a look look back at 2021’s key global events.

Blue dollar soars to record high as New Year draws closer

30-12-2021 13:10 Argentina's currency plunged on Wednesday on the parallel market, with the ‘blue’ dollar hitting a record high of 209 pesos, marking a 103 percent gap with the official exchange rate of 108.16 per greenback

Government grants increases for Internet, telephone, cable TV services

30-12-2021 12:44 The government has authorised increases of up to 9.8 percent for Internet, fixed telephone line, cable television and satellite services, but only for small and medium-sized companies with fewer than 100,000 customers.

Covid isolation period trimmed from 10 to 7 days for vaccinated

29-12-2021 16:29 Argentina cuts isolation period for vaccinated individuals infected with Covid-19 from ten to seven days, but says new restrictions aren't on the way, despite surge in cases.

Argentina to raise power, natural gas prices by 17% and 20% in 2022

29-12-2021 14:47 Argentina is preparing to announce hikes to household utility tariffs in 2022, with a 17 percent cap on electricity prices and 20 percent cap on natural gas prices.