I was in Buenos Aires recently (family trip this time) and, straight from the moment I left the ferry terminal (did you see my post on the duty free aboard?) I was surprised by the fervent public works activity. I mean, we hear every day about infrastructure investment in Argentina, but actually seeing it is another thing. Argentina has a huge infrastructure deficit, and it seems that Macri’s government is committed to narrowing the gap between what Argentina is and what it should be delivering in terms of transport/mobility and energy, just to name two examples. I know that many analysts and some witty observers have said that it’s not enough, and that it’s too slow. I know that a lot think is propaganda ahead of the 2019 elections. Contacts in Argentina tell me that a lot is promised and planned, and very little is delivered. But judging by what I saw over four days in Buenos Aires, works are here to stay. I have heard that in other corners of the republic, the situation is similar, and that particularly farmers have welcomed improved infrastructure across the whole country. This, of course, is great news to British exporters connected to these sectors: metro, energy, mining, oil and gas, civil works, building, construction… as long as they know how to navigate a country that is still complex and, why not, still risky.
So, back to my experience in Buenos Aires…
A September 2016 presentation (http://www.inversionycomercio.org.ar/) read:
Another great resource is “mapa de la inversion” (http://www.inversionycomercio.org.ar/mapadelainversion.php).
My favourite one was the “mapa de obras públicas”, where you could track projects actually implemented across the country, which is now being updated:
At Buenos Aires level, you can actually search for ongoing works at http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/baobras
And here’s more of my photographic evidence:
Recognise any famous British brand?
I am sure that Macri and all these works will have their detractors. But it causes a huge positive feeling to literally step into Buenos Aires and see so much going on at this civil works level. Long may it last.
