The scenario that is presented for 2022 is not simple. One of the problems that companies have to deal with this year is the lack of dollars. A recent report by the SME Observatory Foundation indicates that “59% of industrial SMEs and 49% of Software and Information SMEs anticipate that foreign exchange regulations in force will negatively affect production plans for 2022.” “The forecast of the increase in the amount of imports for 2022 with respect to 2021 exceeds the 5% contemplated by the regulations: 9% foreseen by direct importing industrial companies and 30% by software importers.” the report points out.
Input imports have become a critical problem for this group of companies. ANDhe report says that 75% have had difficulties in bringing into the country the materials they need to maintain the activity. Not all the problems originate in the Central Bank. The difficulties have different origins: among manufacturing, 42% foreign exchange regulations, 20% difficulties of external suppliers and 10% international logistics; Among software and information technology companies, 56% had regulations and 8% had logistics or supplier problems.
“Because of the import trap, a metallurgical SME cannot buy supplies abroad that are not manufactured in Argentina, for a total of US$6,570. But the paradox is that without these components it cannot supply a large company that manufactures compressors for the gas and oil sector and an export worth millions of dollars is in danger,” Complained the president of the Chamber of the Argentine Small and Medium Metallurgical Industry (CAMIMA), José Luis Ammaturo. “We want the government to have the capacity to discern when an import is essential, because what the obstacles end up doing is stopping millions of dollars from exporting,” said Ammaturo.
The president of CAMIMA, indicated that “this SME is just one example of the dozens of claims that are received every week in the chamber, while thousands of dollars a day leave the country for the World Cup in Qatar, which do not return to the country in any way,” he questioned. “The lack of dollars paralyzes the industry, a sector that has the capacity to generate jobs and foreign exchange for Argentina,” said the businessman.
Weeks ago, in the framework of a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) A report from the study center of that entity was analyzed in which it was warned about a lower activity in the first trimester. In this sense, the Association of Metallurgical Industrialists of the Argentine Republic (ADIMRA) pointed out in its latest report that the metallurgical activity in April registered an increase of 11.2% in interannual terms and accumulates a growth of 6.2% in the first four months of the year. But yes Compared to March 2022, the production of the sector presented a decrease of 3.6%.
Another warning sign for the new Minister of Productive Development is consumption. Due to the effect of high inflation and the consequent loss of purchasing power in consumers, The first decline of the year in SME retail sales was generated, which, measured at constant prices, fell 3.4% annually in May and 8.9% compared to April, according to the Argentine Confederation of Medium-sized Enterprises (CAME).
With the greeting of Martín Kulfas, the government loses a man of technical solidity, very steeped in what is the world of SMEs, and is replaced by a leader with a political profile. Therefore, businessmen await the first movements of the former governor of Buenos Aires.
Source: Ambito
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