Basic Data
Geography and Climate
Social Configuration
Political System
Economic System
Convertibility
Fiscal Discipline
Privatizations
Mercosur
National Treatment for foreign investors
GDP
Low Inflation
Sustained Investment
Production Indicators
Exports by Type of Products
Imports by Economic Use
Trade by Country Region
Principal Goods Exported
Source: Carlsson, 1997
| Population | 35.5 million |
| Area | 2.8 million sq. Km. (30% of Europe) |
| GDP (`97) | US$ 318.9 billion |
| GDP Per Capita | US$ 8,985 |
| Exports (`97) | US$ 25,400 million (FOB) |
| Imports (`97) | US$ 30,200 million (CIF) |
| Literacy Rate | 96.3% |
| Inhabitants per physician | 370 |
| Life expectancy | 71 years |
| Urban population | 87% |
Source: UN Statistical Yearbook for Latin America, v. 1997
Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world. Its topography is highly varied, ranging from fertile plains in the central region to mountains in the west and semi-arid zone in the south. The climate varies from the subtropical to the sub-antarctic. Between these two extremes lies a wide temperate belt well suited for agriculture.
The population is mainly of Spanish and Italian descent, although it also includes people of many other national origins. Different ethnic and religious groups co-exist peacefully. Most of the population belongs to the middle class. The literacy rate is high, as well as the enrollment rate in primary, secondary and higher education. Labor is comparable in skills and aptitude with that os most developed countries, especially at technical and professional levels.
Argentina is a federal republic organized under a Constitution similar to that of the United States. It enjoys a democratic political system in which different parties actively compete. Moderate parties are dominant as the population provides steady support to sound economic policies.
Argentina has a free market economic system. Due to the recent privatization program ,the state now has a very limited role in the economy. The 1994 report of the World Economic Forum classifies Argentina as the most open, least protectionist country in the world. Its currency is convertible to US dollars and there is total freedom for moving capital internationally.
The exchange rate is pegged at 1 Argentine peso = 1 US dollar and can be modified only by a new congressional law. The existing Convertibility Law requires that the Central Bank sell US dollars at this rate as demanded by the market and fully back the monetary base with gold and foreign currency. There are no exchange controls and there is total freedom for capital movements either coming in or leaving the country.
Argentina has conducted one of the most intensive privatization programs in the world. The telephone company, airlines, most railroads, electric power production companies (including hydroelectric power plants), the Argentine oil company (YPF), steel mills, ports, TV stations and most public services were and are being transferred to the private sector. The combined value of privatized firms amounted to US$ 27.1 billion by the end of 1995. Many foreign firms have participated in this large scale privatization program.
Mercosur is the common market formed by Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. There are many other neighboring nations who have already established free trade associations with Mercosur (including Chile and Bolivia) and many others hope to get closer to this large market of over 200 million people and with an overall GDP of approximately US$ 1000 billion.
Foreign investors do not need to seek any kind of prior approval and are free to repatriate the full amount of their capital and earnings at any time. Foreign and domestic companies are treated equally. Under the law, they have access to all economic sectors and are eligible for incentive programs and state procurement.
Source: Carlsson, 1997
Source: Ministry of Economy and Public Works and Services
Source: Indec
| Cereals | 23.52 million tons |
| Oilseeds | 18.61 million tons |
| Fruit | 5.47 million tons |
| Fish | 1.23 million tons |
| Vegetable oils | 4.04 million tons |
| Paper | 1.12 million tons |
| Polyethylene | 0.277 million tons |
| Pharmaceutical products | 405.8 million units |
| Cement | 5.1 million tons |
| Steel | 4.06 million tons |
| Aluminum | 0.18 million tons |
| Motor vehicles | 313.15 x 1000 units |
| Washing machines | 524.00 x 1000 units |
| Petroleum... | |
|
45.55 million m3 |
|
411.15 million m3 |
Source: Indec
Source: Indec
Source: Indec
| Cereals | 2.981 |
| Fuels | 2.759 |
| Motor vehicles, trucks and its arts | 2.625 |
| Edible oils | 2.260 |
| Fish and shellfish | 0.959 |
| Leather and skins | 0.909 |
| Electrical machines and equipment | 0.787 |
| Meat | 0.745 |
| Copper and its manufactures | 0.590 |
| Fresh fruit | 0.523 |
| Cotton | 0.392 |
| Dairy products | 0.382 |
| Processed legumes and vegetables | 0.357 |
| Legumes and vegetables | 0.336 |
| Oilseeds | 0.335 |
| Iron and steel | 0.321 |
| Processed meat, fish and shellfish | 0.317 |
| Plastic and its manufactures | 0.301 |
| Organic chemical products | 0.280 |
| Aluminum and its manufactures | 0.274 |
| Other | 4.924 |
| TOTAL | 23.358 |
Source: UN Statistical Yearbook on Latin America, v. 1997