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Argentina GDP contracts 3.8% in third quarter: sharp declines in manufacturing and construction

Saturday, December 31st 2016 - 16:25 UTC
Full article 30 comments

Argentina’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell 3.8% at the end of the third quarter of the year, with sharp declines in manufacturing, construction and consumption, the INDEC official statistics bureau reported. Read full article

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  • Marti Llazo

    Syria has promised to take in 15000 Argentine refugees.

    Dec 31st, 2016 - 05:23 pm - Link - Report abuse +5
  • Enrique Massot

    This story just confirms that numbers in the Argentine economy have been in the red for the whole of 2016, and barring a sharp change in direction nothing anticipates improvement in 2017 in spite of optimistic government predictions.
    Those numbers reflect a paralysis of the domestic sector that impacts the population's living conditions.
    The foreign debt's duplication in record time and the fact that all the borrowed money has gone to finance a large fiscal deficit and none to capital projects is terrifying.
    The promised “rain” of foreign investments, which was the justification for paying cash all the money the vultures claimed, failed to materialize as well.
    A patchwork of measures addressed claims of the wealthy and powerful but failed to stimulate the domestic sector, hurting economic activity.
    What's more, the Macri government's goal to “join again the world” comes at the worst possible time--when globalization trends are put into question.
    Attempting to put a smokescreen on this flurry of bad news, the government has tried to show some initiative pushing for highly questionable judicial measures against a social activist in Jujuy as well as against Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
    In a nutshell: Macri will go down in history books as the country's most inept elected president.
    Happy New Year!

    Dec 31st, 2016 - 10:34 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Fidel_CasTroll

    Marti Llazo never tells us where he is from, because as a probable refugee himself, he uses his own circumstance as an insult to others.

    To be too ashamed of your own country to mention it, and to be so humiliated of your life as to use your status in the form of a slur. The dictionary definition of an outright Loser with a capital U (useless).

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 02:31 am - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Troy Tempest

    Nostrils

    “Marti Llazo never tells us where he is from... ”

    ...and some pretend to be from Mendoza, Argentina, when they're not.

    ” The dictionary definition of an outright Loser with a capital U (useless)” !!

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 08:55 am - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Fidel_CasTroll

    Uh? I am in Mendoza. Always have been. Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant. As I have always said the soft racism of you all. You don't have to prove anything about yourself, but I have to? Why?

    THat's why I refuse to say anything about me further. Because I truly dislike double-standards and hypocrisy. Which explains my attitude towards the Anglo and EUian!

    Can't like swimming when you don't like water.

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 09:46 am - Link - Report abuse -2
  • DemonTree

    @Fidel_CasTroll
    What double standards? Didn't Think ask some posters who claimed to be from Argentina to write in Spanish to prove it, and they couldn't?

    And people are always asking Voice about his nationality, and he asked Kanye and chronic to post a picture of a newspaper to prove where they lived, just a few days ago. Neither of them did it.

    Anyway, ML implied he was from Catalonia when I asked him, which would make him Spanish. And he's obviously not a refugee, but what people call an 'economic migrant': someone who moves to another country to benefit from greater economic opportunities.

    Oh, and if you truly disliked double standards and hypocrisy you wouldn't practice both so much yourself. I suppose your attitude actually comes from seeing people on here slagging off Argentina all the time, which is somewhat understandable.

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 12:20 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • ElaineB

    You know, all this 'post a picture to prove it' like they are some hostage is ridiculous. It really doesn't matter where people come from UNLESS they are pretending otherwise. And even if that is the case, this is just a message board. If you don't believe a person is genuinely living in Argentina then adjust your thoughts accordingly. Some people lose all reason and try tracking people down in real life - like bat-shit mad ChrisR. But for sane people, just let it roll by. It is only a message board.

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 03:02 pm - Link - Report abuse +5
  • Marti Llazo

    Headline correction:

    “Argentina GDP contracts 3.8% in third quarter: sharp declines in manufacturing of poor quality overpriced Industria Argentina crap that nobody wants to buy as residents flock to Chile to pay 19% IVA and still get better deals on quality items made in Korea, Portugal, and the US”

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 03:55 pm - Link - Report abuse +3
  • El Diego

    Our company is growing like crazy now and we are investing millions in the Argentina new economy. We fully expect double digit growth next year also. There is no other country in the world where you can get these type of returns right now. Macri is delivering for us.

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 06:40 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Marti Llazo

    El Diego, el “Día de los Inocentes” fue el 28 de diciembre.... most of the members here do that sort of celebration with such burlas on “April Fools Day.”

    I did get a good laugh, though. Mercès.

    Jan 01st, 2017 - 08:27 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Troy Tempest

    Elaine

    “t really doesn't matter where people come from UNLESS they are pretending otherwise.”

    You should let DT know there are frequent examples of double standards from such personas.

    Our friend “voice” tries to give the impression that he speaks as a Scotsman and represents their point of view.
    At the same time, he never claims to be British or Scottish and will not state his nationality when asked.

    He is the same person who threatened me with “I will place you”, and demands personal information in order to hone his ad hominem attacks against others.

    It is an ugly world on this message board.

    As “voice” has alluded to, and demonstrated, he is a professional Troll who logs links to posts he thinks he can use against others.

    Be aware there are those who are also on here to deflect legitimate discussion, and sow disinformation and division between groups.

    I use “voice's” use of his faux Scots persona to create animosity between English and legitimate Scots posters.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 12:56 am - Link - Report abuse +4
  • imoyaro

    I agree Troy, the “Usual Suspects” are here to log personal info about people they “disagree with.”
    As a pessimist, I always figured they were working for somebody, like the “robust intelligence service” Chicureo used to allude to. Gauchito Drink once revealed his list of background info on us,(I was amused to be classified as a “Turnip with some connection to Paraguay,” and Enrique has repeatedly challenged people to post under their real names. (I have my own suspicions that that is not his real name, much like Ulyanov, Bronstein and Dzhugashvili, for example.) Chopper is just here to attempt to anger people and see what comes out. Noise is as you describe him. For my part I enjoy yanking their chains, since finding me at the secret Paraguayan base in that part Antarctica claimed by Argentina has so far been beyond their abilities... ;)

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 01:33 am - Link - Report abuse +3
  • Voice

    What absolute drivel from the Puppet who is also Kanye...
    His words contradict each other...
    “he never claims to be British or Scottish”
    “tries to give the impression that he speaks as a Scotsman”
    ..is it the accent you dumb fcuk...?

    There are only three people on here that have ever proved where they are...
    Pops, myself and Skip...
    I was asked by Pops to post a pic of a local paper in a local location with a message on it...and so I did..no problem happy to do so...no big deal...

    The Kanye puppet tries to give the impression that he is in the US....
    He is obviously Canadian...and can't produce a US local paper in a US location...
    Chronic scattered too at mention of it....
    Now you all think about that....

    Prove me wrong puppets...but we all know you can't, it's not a matter of won't...
    There is nothing wrong with outing lying fcuks that pretend to be where they are not...

    ....“create animosity between English and legitimate Scots ”
    Is that some sort of joke...?
    There are a number of posters that have always attacked the Scots at every opportunity...they don't need any encouragement...
    Britworker
    Conqueror
    The Voice (Three accounts)...which I proved...
    I'm quite happy to expose multiple account trolls....
    I can't help it if you don't like what I say and believe a troll is someone that doesn't support or agree with your point of view...
    I noticed EM being described as a Troll....how is stating your opinion and even using your own name and location...being a Troll...?

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 02:45 am - Link - Report abuse -4
  • Troy Tempest

    Enrique does indeed use his own name, it's on his Facebook page.

    I wouldn't recommend anybody else use their real names.

    With the likes of “voice” the Troll who wishes to remain untraceable, threatening to “place” people's identities, one can only imagine that he intends some sort of harrassment, slandering, identity theft or cyber-bullying.

    Charming fellow he is...

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 11:17 am - Link - Report abuse +2
  • ElaineB

    It is unwise to use your real name on any message board. The collection of personal information is purely to distort and use as insults. And if you don't give out the information the trolls make it up anyway in order to bait you into revealing more. Best to ignore it.

    @TT There are several posters here using more than one account. It is easy to spot because they only come to life when they need them to agree with a point they are making. Or to create a little online gang.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 12:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    The government news here today will give reekie something else to fume about.

    One of the reasons that the taxes here are so high is that the country is, particularly at a national-government level, bloated with public-sector “workers.” As Macri indicated several months ago, Kirchnerism disguised the lack of economic growth by creating 1.5 million additional (and largely unproductive) government jobs, though not necessarily true ñoquis. And there is nothing quite like Kirchnerist bureaucracy to make sure that real economic growth doesn't have much of a chance. So the new government plan is to clean up more of this excess. Earlier objectives included what Macri said were the elimination of some 20,000 artificial government jobs created in “the last ten minutes” of the CFK regime. Now the effort is characterised not in terms of numbers of non-producers but in restructuring for greater efficiency, reduction of redundancy, and ultimately, a savings of some 65 billion pesos, which in more serious countries would not seem like much, at only about US$4.3 billion. But that target comes along with an announced target for a 2017 spending deficit of “only” 4.2 percent of the gross national product.

    This forum had a noisy little discussion about whether or not the Kirchnerist government was “socialist” - with its large array of social programmes and the operation of some 53 mostly deficit-ridden state businesses. The losses from those enterprises make up nearly 5 percent of the gross national product and provided highly-paid postings for Kirchnerist supporters like the camporistas. (Reekie wanted us to believe that such massive losses were part of the wonderful economic condition that CFK left in 2015). So, cuento corto, don't be surprised to see more eventual rock-throwing and rioting in the streets here as announcements are made for streamlining of national government functions and the resulting reduction of more national government workers.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • DemonTree

    @ML
    So these workers aren't actually ñoquis like people have been claiming?

    But I hope Macri's plans for making savings work out better than his plan last year to remove unproductive workers. He ended the year with more public sector workers than he began it:

    http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1960252-el-empleo-publico-crecio-y-alcanzo-el-nivel-que-dejo-el-kirchnerismo

    @Voice
    Kanye never said he was American, actually he implied he was not, by asking what real Americans thought in one of the US election threads. He does appear to be in an American timezone though.

    I'm not sure why people call Enrique a troll either. He does appear to be genuine even if his views are unpopular here.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 01:32 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • The Voice

    I see the noxious Voice is at it again. When he isnt admiring himself in the mirror he is busy bigging himself up. For the record its the multitude of Scotch scroungers that want special treatment that I dislike. Been talking to my Scotch pals over the last few days discussing our next expedition - the Picos! We shall meet up at Celtic Connections soon. Can't blame Voice really, living in Dunoon under the shadow of Wonder Woman is like a living death. Work out your frustration on others on message boards. Sad person…

    Nothing to say on the topic except that there has to be pain before gain.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 02:10 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
  • ElaineB

    @ DT

    I don't think EM is a troll and have defended him in the past. I don't agree with his perception of the Kirchners but he has every right to hold and express that view. Just as I will challenge it because I hold an opposite view.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 02:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Voice

    EM is out of touch with the reality of his mother country thats clear and holds the same sort of views as the remoaning Corbyn supporters who cling to befuddled political views that last existed in1926 in Britain as exemplified by Corbyn and Co. Not confined to socialists either, useless Matthew Parris inhabits many of the same delusions.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 03:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @ The Voice

    I tend to agree. Old men clinging to a false idealised past. I can understand why they are blinded by nostalgia but the world has moved on. You can't go back.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 05:21 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • El Diego

    Due to popular demand and in anticipation of the return of our islands I am opening an Argentinian steakhouse in Port Stanley. We need some English speaking toilet cleaners and if anybody is interested please let me know. I believe there are quite a few here who have experience working in toilets.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 06:49 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
  • Voice

    The Voice
    Just how many Trolling identities have you had...?
    I've found another one...“.Alberto Bertorelli”....that is one where you played an Argentine....
    You are a joke...
    That's five so far...how many more am I going to find....?

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 07:00 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • The Voice

    Did I hear a drone? What a mistaka to maka.!

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Enrique Massot

    In response to one post, I haven't challenged posters to reveal their real names--but I have criticized personal attacks from posters hiding behind nicknames.
    I do not believe using one's identity is overly important as long as posts address issues as opposed to attacks on the poster. There is ample room to debate, for example, whether the current Argentine government's trend to acquire heavy debt loads to finance deficit as well as other old-style measures are smart moves.
    As for ElaineB's statement about me being old, forgetful and detached from reality (why not say straight senile?), I will only say that the election that put the current government in power was won with 51 per cent of the electors--which made Macri an uncontested winner.
    The other 49 per cent makes quite a few people, many of whom are not old, have permanent residence in Argentina therefore experience the full brunt of government policies, etc. Which prevents me from feeling too much in solitude, Elaine.

    Jan 02nd, 2017 - 10:45 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • ElaineB

    @ EM

    No, I was making a general statement not aimed at any individual or any one situation.

    Jan 03rd, 2017 - 01:04 am - Link - Report abuse -1
  • Fidel_CasTroll

    Argentines need to stop whining and get educated. You don't need anyone to get educated but yourself. I am the most educated person in this forum and have not needed one single teacher. My brain and a computer is all that was needed.

    The government can't deliver for your future if instead of reading to develop know-how, or practicing to develop handcraft, you just machinate better ways to steal other people's stuff or to hoodwink someone on a bad deal. I applaud the Unions for finally being a bit smarter and not immediately going for national strikes that eventually only hurt them and not the politicians. I also applaud the government for accepting setbacks in courtcases and willing to compromise a bit.

    But the ultimate problem the Argentines on this board never discuss is education, what they do for their kids. Because I guess it is too difficult. Quick fixes from miraculous governments sound like an easier path, and of course there are no miraculous governments.

    Chile is a good example, you supposedly have had 40 years of good policies and better governments than Argentina, but they can't get out of the middle-income trap. In that 40 year span South Korea, Taiwan, Dubai, Poland, Israel, Estonia, have all blown by Chile. Why? Same problem, education. Latin American culture does not value education, Argentina was an exception in the late 19th and 20th centuries, but since has swung all the way to the other extreme with probably the worst education outside Haiti.

    It's not even about the infraestructure, it is about the mentality. Until education becomes the primary focus of families, they will languish. Becoming obsessed with education is not good either, there are terrible things that happen in those “successful” countries too. A balance is required.

    Jan 03rd, 2017 - 02:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Enrique Massot

    @FCT
    Education is one of the best resources for a country's advancement--indeed, the percentage of funding assigned to education and public health is a sure sign of where a government sets its priorities.
    That being said, the role of a government (or lack of thereof) in an economy cannot be overstated.
    Contrary to what interested parties propagate, most countries have a mix of private and public sectors.
    For example, Sweden's government spends 52 percent of its GDP while the United Kingdom has 47 percent government funding and the United States 39 percent (2014).
    Government spending in mixed economies may include welfare, pensions, defense, Social Security and health care.
    “In general, countries with more developed economies have greater government spending as a share of GDP.”
    https://www.reference.com/world-view/countries-mixed-economic-system-a43ec5657f03cb7e

    Jan 03rd, 2017 - 05:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    @reekie

    Meanwhile Argentina diverts millions that could be spent on educating its own and instead provides “free” (Argentine taxpayer-funded) university for foreigners. Thousands of Colombians, Chileans, Venezuelans attending AR universities while its own primary and secondary schools suffer. Of course, Argentine instructors are truly dedicated as well, which is why we [in Sta Cruz province] had about 50 days of classes without teachers last year, which effectively destroyed one school-year. Similar teacher strikes around the country reflect the same dedication and it's nothing new -- same sort of things have been the standard practice for years and all around the country. Argentina's dedication to education under CFK had predictable results: fewer than half of the adolescents in this country finished secondary school, while CFK's corrupt Futbol Para Todos received billions. There's “government spending” and then there is “Argentine government spending.”

    Jan 06th, 2017 - 02:11 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • imoyaro

    I always wondered at the demands for 25% wage increases and the endless strikes, all under the Narcokleptocracy. It sure seemed like the government was trying to create a dysfunctional society by making the schools inoperable, although I always got a chuckle from the secretary general of the Suteba, Roberto Baradel, who always seemed to be channeling his inner Facundo Quiroga...

    http://www.buenosairesherald.com/files/imagenes//201412/176886_10_111815.jpg

    Jan 06th, 2017 - 04:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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