Those meetings, they say in the environment of the minister, are the hardest. They happen when a company is increasing its prices well above the movements of the sector. They point out increases that even exceed 120% so far this year. Massa awaits you in his office with a report detailing the increases, but also the level of access to dollars with official prices and other data linked to each firm.
These crossings occur while the Government negotiates the agreement to reach a wide basket of mass consumption products with fixed prices for four months. The firms in the sector even say that the official request is to include practically all the articles they produce. So they ask to limit it to what they consider basic consumption. The other claim points to the cost structure. “If we freeze, they should also freeze the suppliers of supplies and logistics. If not, it’s unfeasible.” industry sources claimed.
In the last hours and given the proximity of the launch, which would be in December, the dialogue became tense. The Secretary of Commerce urged the Commission for the Defense of Competition to initiate a series of investigations for abuse of a dominant position, which was taken by the sectoral chambers as a kind of “threat”. In addition, a sharp increase in fines for non-compliance was included in the 2023 budget, the ceiling of which will go from $5 million to $238 million.
In any case, a multinational consulted by Ambit showed willingness to adhere to the plan and recognized that “companies that do not participate are going to be too exposed.” In the Government they emphasize that they are seeking to agree and that those who join will be given predictability with respect to the exchange rate through the “green channel” of Customs, which grants priority in access to imports.
Yesterday, the economic team met with a group of supermarkets that also manufacture their own products to discuss joining the plan. Retail chains work at the same time as a constant monitoring of the advance of wholesale prices. So much so that according to what industrialists revealed to this medium, in recent days conflicts over price lists that were rejected have multiplied. As they explain, this is because the Government asked that they not accept increases of more than 4%.
Precisely at that level they expect inflation to converge by attacking the inertial component. “I consider it totally feasible and realistic, based on this budget, to be able to lower inflation to 60%. We are with a very large inertia and that merits certain income policies to lower it and bring inflation from 7% to 4%, compatible with 60% per year,” Secretary of Economic Programming Gabriel Rubinstein said yesterday in Congress.
In a general picture, the price agreement will be broader. A freeze for electronic products has already been agreed through the Now 30 program. The same was done by the clothing sector, which will now be joined by its textile suppliers with a commitment that will be made official at this time.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
