Controversies
In response to consumer complaints about what they consider abuses, the Ministry of Commerce reports that the area’s intention is to “simplify” the management of disputes between those affected and companies. “The procedures must be quick and simple,” they argue.
The fundamental solutions will come from the hand of “greater competition” which is what this secretariat advocates, according to them. Thus, for example, they assess that internet users will benefit from the greater penetration of a new player, Starlink, the satellite company of Elon Muskone of the president’s favorite businessmen Javier Milei.
It is not the only sector where new players are expected. One of the products that Comercio is following is milk bread. They point out that the dominant company, Bimbo, with 70 to 80% of the market, sells it at a rate of 4.50 dollars per package, when importing the product from Brazil (made with Argentine wheat), the value on the shelf is 3 dollars. But they believe that this will change because “New investments are already appearing to compete in this market.”
Construction
Among the latest measures adopted by the economic leadership, the elimination of obstacles to importing construction materials stands out. The technical regulations for steel were recently modified and those for aluminum were repealed to lower the costs of importing these inputs. Authorities say that in Argentina these inputs are 50% more expensive than the world average.
The resolution covers various products such as sheet metal, profiles, round iron for concrete, mesh, beams and tubes, among others. The Government estimates that it benefits around 10,000 SMEs.
In the case of steel, they explain, before every 6 months the importer had to request a quality certification from INTI, which in practice constituted a brake on nobody importing. Today it is deregulated and international certification is permitted.
In the case of cement, which is a product that is not very tradable due to the logistics cost, the authorities maintain that it should not be surprising that barges are now appearing bringing the product from Paraguay because the price can be 20% lower.
Measures
Since the Government took office at the end of last year, the authorities have carried out measures to normalize foreign trade, According to a document from the Ministry of Economy to which he had access Scope.
This work details the progress in this area on a monthly basis.
December 2023:
– The import system was regularized, eliminating automatic and non-automatic licenses, as well as SIRAs, and implemented a transparent and non-discretionary system.
– It was opened Registry of Commercial Debt for Imports with Foreign Suppliers, to regularize the debt of importers.
January 2024:
– Through the joint resolution of the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Public Revenue Administration, it was made official the elimination of the systemic mechanism that calculated the Financial Economic Capacity (CEF) of taxpayers, a procedure used to restrict and limit foreign trade operations.
February 2024:
– The importation of electrical materials for the industry was simplified, eliminating arbitrary controls and access to goods so that they enter the country through a sworn declaration of suitable use, that is, destined for industry and the productive sphere.
-The Product Composition Affidavit (DJCP) was eliminated which required manufacturers and importers of textiles, clothing and footwear redundant information on the percentage composition and material of their products which was already detailed on the label.
March 2024:
– The doors were opened imports of basic basket products to improve competition and support the decline in inflation.
April 2024:
– 36% of imports destined for the Customs “red channel” were released, eliminating the requirement for a list of products to pass through the “regulatory red channel”, which required exhaustive customs control that generated costs and delays for importing companies.
– A new website was launched Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) to facilitate the completion of procedures and access to information. It allows you to plan operations, initiate and monitor procedures, and learn about regulatory changes related to foreign trade in an easy and informed manner.
– It was implemented a package of measures for improve the competitiveness of the automotive sector. Among the measures adopted, it was decided to maintain the exemption from export duties for incremental exports that had been in force since 2021.
With this benefit, automotive companies are exempt from paying export duties on the surplus of exports compared to those made in 2020.
In addition, it was decided to systematize and digitize the Stock Replenishment Regime (Repostock), a variant that allows the import of merchandise intended to replace those that, previously imported, after being subject to industrial processes, have been exported.
May 2024:
– It was arranged Reduction of import tariffs on refrigerators and washing machines from 35% to 20%; on tires from 35% to 16%; and on the main plastic inputs from 12.6% to 6%.
–A was implemented lowering tariffs on a wide range of fertilizers and herbicides.
– Temporary imports of inputs for exporting companies were simplified, extending the validity period of the temporary import certificate (CTIT) from five to ten years, with the aim of boosting exports.
– The amount of tariffs in the area of legal metrology was reduced by half, which simplifies and accelerates the approval of new models of measuring instruments to be marketed that are requested by companies or individuals.
June 2024:
– HE Seven technical regulations were repealed with the aim of de-bureaucratizing and reducing the costs and time that companies have when importing and marketing goods and products.
July 2024:
– Customs control of labeling of textile and footwear products entering the country was eliminated. With this measure, which aims to reduce the cost of bureaucracy and facilitate import processes, this control will be carried out ex post, ensuring that compliance with labelling is mandatory.
August 2024:
– HE They repealed regulations that promoted abusive control over companies and forced different sectors to submit information to the State that was not used for any reasonable purpose. These data were of no use for the development of public policies and meant an additional cost of resources for companies.
– Starting Monday, September 2, The PAIS tax that taxes all imported products and services drops from 17.5% to 7.5%.
– It was simplified the import of steel and other key inputs for the economy with the aim of encouraging competition and lowering costs.
– In addition, the announcement was made digitalization of Repostock, a process that was done on paper and that very few companies used and that will now allow more than five thousand companies to have tax benefits.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
