MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine president and business leaders exchange compliments

CFK: “I think we’ve all changed a little bit” and “we’re more or less on the same track”

Argentina “is neither untouchable nor invulnerable” to the complicated global financial situation said on Wednesday President Cristina Fernandez who highlighted that had the crisis hit in a different time it would have obliterated Argentina.

“We are concerned about what is going in the world. This doesn’t mean we have to be ecstatic about our situation nor feel invulnerable or untouchable, but we must admit that had this crisis hit the country in a different time, it would have obliterated it” said the Argentine leader at the opening ceremony of the new educational branch of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce (CAC) in downtown Buenos Aires.

“Let’s correct what needs to be corrected, but let’s continue to advance knowing that this is the right course, and the right model, with the unity of all the country’s economic sectors we have a formidable opportunity”, said Mrs Kirchner addressing 150 business people, officials and union leaders.

“Argentina stands before a historic opportunity to begin a process of definitive development” said the president adding that the policy to reduce debt allowed the country to free itself from the “creditors clamp” and called on the financial sector to continue loaning to the different sectors.

“I think we’ve all changed a little bit. Lately each time a business leader makes public statements I don’t have to come out and reply. That means we’re more or less on the same track”, said Mrs Kirchner in an indirect praise to the Chamber of Commerce president Carlos de la Vega who called to leave aside the “old antinomies” and clashes between camp and city; farmers and industry; production and services; opening the economy and protectionism, among others.

In what seem a change of attitude from the different sectors of the Argentine economy following the 14 August primary, CAC President De la Vega pointed out that from 2003 to 2010 the economy has sustainedly expanded at an average annual rate of 8%, accumulating 79%, while commerce has grown 120%.

Among the audience at the opening ceremony were some of Argentina’s top business leaders from retailing, petroleum, energy, communications and airports, agri-business.