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INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BUENOS AIRES 000206 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIN ECON EINV ETRD ELAB EAIR AR
SUBJECT: Argentina Economic and Financial Review, February 
12-February 19, 2010 
 
¶1. (U)  Provided below is Embassy Buenos Aires' Economic and 
Financial Review covering the period February 12-February 19, 2010. 
The unclassified email version of this report includes tables and 
charts tracking Argentine economic developments.  Contact Econ 
Deputy Jason Witow at WitowJN@state.gov to be included on the email 
distribution list.  This document is sensitive but unclassified. 
It should not be disseminated outside of USG channels or in any 
public forum without the written concurrence of the originator.  It 
should not be posted on the internet. 
 
 
 
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2010 inflation forecasts run between 20-33% 
 
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¶2. (SBU)  According to an article in La Nacion, Banco Ciudad 
analyst Luciano Laspina estimated that inflation will increase by 
at least 20% during 2010.  He explained that the actual numbers 
will depend on government monetary and fiscal policies and 
potential price controls.  According to Laspina, the rise in prices 
-- which began to accelerate during the last quarter -- is due to 
the proposed creation of the Bicentennial Fund.  There is general 
uncertainty regarding the transfer of Central Bank reserves to the 
Treasury and the suspicion that reserves will be used to pay 
current expenditures.  In contrast, a study by Universidad Torcuato 
Di Tella (UTDT) indicated that inflation might rise to almost 33% 
in Buenos Aires province and about 30% in the country as a whole. 
The study explained that these figures are a result of steep price 
increases for meat and dairy products. 
 
 
 
¶3. (SBU)  The GoA is operating on two tracks in its attempt to 
control inflation.  The first, led by Secretary of Internal 
Commerce Guillermo Moreno, is working with producers to agree on 
price limits.  According to the press, Moreno spoke with healthcare 
firms and producers of school supplies, cleaning equipment, 
cosmetics, and food.  He also visited supermarkets and met with 
fruit and vegetable vendors at the Central Market, in addition to 
talking to meat suppliers about the big increase in meat prices. 
According to press reports, Moreno forced Buenos Aires Central 
Market vendors to lower prices by threatening to fine them for 
regulatory infractions.  When he and his entourage left the market, 
the vendors apparently restored the prices to their earlier levels. 
There are also reports that Moreno succeeded in convincing some 
supermarkets to agree on maximum prices for about 20-30 basic 
products.  Regarding the meat market, the high prices are 
benefiting exporters, who sell high-end meat cuts internationally, 
and supply the local market with inferior cuts.  The National 
Office of Commercial Farming Control (ONCCA) has suggested that 
more export permits will be issued if needed. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU)  The second track in the fight against inflation is being 
led by Minister of Economy, Amado Boudou, who is working to develop 
policies that will result in increased investment and the 
accelerated production of goods in order to supply the growing 
demand, which the GoA says is the real cause of inflation. 
 
 
 
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Central Bank President discusses financing options with industry 
 
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¶5. (SBU)  New President of the Central Bank (BCRA) Mercedes Marc???? 
del Pont is beginning a series of meetings with various industry 
groups.  The idea behind these meetings is to set up a direct link 
between producers and the financial sector to explore new long-term 
financing options.  This will, in turn, help increase production 
 
BUENOS AIR 00000206  002 OF 003 
 
 
and supply, which will help solve Argentina's inflation problem. 
The first meeting with the Food Products Industry Coordinator 
(COPAL) is expected to be important since the food sector has had 
the greatest price increases. 
 
 
 
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Farmers demonstrate against agriculture policies 
 
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¶6. (SBU)  There was a demonstration by farmers in Chab????s, Santa Fe 
on February 17 against the government's agriculture policies.  The 
demonstration was led by the Argentine Agrarian Federation (FAA) 
with the participation of more than 600 producers, truck drivers 
and other locals.  Farm sector producers from other parts of the 
country participated as well.  Eduardo Buzzi, head of the FAA, said 
that he wants to continue to negotiate with the GoA, but threatened 
strikes if no positive results are achieved.  The demonstrators 
were protesting against the possibility that the government would 
cut exports to encourage lower domestic prices.  Buzzi said that if 
the GoA pursued such a policy, there could be dire consequences, 
such as a food sales boycott.  He highlighted the need to increase 
the number of corn export permits, to improve wheat prices for 
producers, and to establish lines of communication to discuss 
livestock policies. 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Minister of Agriculture Juli????n Dom????nguez criticized 
the 
demonstration, declaring that negotiations are being conducted to 
solve the current crisis.  On February 18, he invited Buzzi and 
other leaders to a meeting during which the government plans to 
announce new subsidies for the cattle and meat sectors.  According 
to livestock experts, stockbreeding has been severely impaired by 
the worst drought in 70 years and counterproductive government 
policies, leading to uncertainty among producers about the 
sustainability of export profits.  The wheat market faces similar 
uncertainty, as supply vastly exceeds demand, and according to 
producers, the GoA has not fulfilled its promise to buy wheat to 
support prices.  Further demonstrations and possible strikes are 
scheduled for February and March. 
 
 
 
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Steel production increased in January 
 
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¶8. (SBU) According to the Center for the Iron and Steel Industries 
(CIS), steel production increased 18.6% (336,900 tons) in January 
2010 compared to January 2009, when production was very low due to 
the international financial crisis. However, compared to December 
2009, production was down 14%, largely due to annual summer factory 
closures for maintenance.  According to the CIS, iron production 
increased 8.2% in January 2010 (363,200 tons) compared to December 
2009, and 69.8% compared to January 2009.  The production of hot 
laminates decreased 2.9% in January 2010 (354,200 tons) compared to 
December 2009, but increased 45.5% compared to a year ago.  The 
production of cold laminates was up 8.7% in January 2010 (132,900 
tons) compared to December 2009 and up 96.9% compared to January 
¶2009.  The CIS claims that the cost of iron and coal and other raw 
materials has increased significantly "due to an increase in global 
demand and the prices that the Chinese iron and steel industries 
are willing to pay." 
 
 
 
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BUENOS AIR 00000206  003 OF 003 
 
 
Oil company to invest USD 1.1 billion in Chubut oilfield 
 
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¶9. (SBU)  Pan American Energy (PAE), a 60/40 joint venture of 
British Petroleum and the Bulgheroni family's Bridas Corporation, 
announced on February 18 that it is planning to invest USD 1.1 
billion in the Cerro Dragon oilfield in the Gulf of San Jorge in 
Chubut.  PAE's partial local ownership by Argentine nationals and 
more importantly, its expanding domestic oil and gas exploration 
and production in an era where overall Argentine hydrocarbon 
production has trended steadily downward, has made this company a 
favorite of the Kirchner administration.  PAE is second only to 
Spanish-owned Repsol YPF as Argentina's largest hydrocarbon 
producer.   In January 2010, the Ministry of Economy and Public 
Finance announced that tax collection reached $29 billion 
(Argentine pesos), 20.4% above January 2009 collection.  The major 
drivers of the overall tax collection were: social security 
contributions, up 26.5% to $9.3 billion; value-added tax (IVA) 
receipts, up 23.1% to $8.3 billion; and taxes on profits, which 
rose 25.8% to $5.0 billion.  The Ministry, in a press release, 
attributed this record tax collection to an increase in 
consumption, an overall increase in salaries during the year 2009, 
and to the various government measures undertaken to minimize the 
effects of the international financial crisis. 
 
 
 
¶10. (SBU)  In a presentation to the governor of Chubut, Mario Das 
Neves, PAE claimed that reserves could reach 1.6 billion barrels. 
USD 700 million will be invested for production and exploration and 
USD 400 million for operating costs.  Cerro Dragon is situated in 
one of the best sites for oil production in the country.  Overall 
energy investment in the region was USD 456 million in 2006, USD 
559 million in 2007, USD 826 million in 2008, and 686 million in 
¶2009.  Investment for 2010 is projected at USD 826 million. 
Calafell Losa, PAE Vice President for Public Affairs, said that 
these investments have brought about a substantial increase in 
economic activity in the region and the development of new offshore 
exploration projects as well.  Governor Das Neves emphasized the 
importance of investment as an engine of job growth, saying that up 
to 1,000 new jobs will be created in 2010. 
MARTINEZ