MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

CFK promises pro-growth model, industrial “fine tuning” and dialogue

The Argentine president tells the business community she has learnt not to get mad (Photo Telam)

In a milestone speech on Tuesday anticipating the four years of her next mandate, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez disclosed she would continue with pro-growth policies but also added that a time of ‘fine tuning’ had arrived in which she was willing to address all issues including “investment and inflation” but not through the newspapers.

In the closing speech at the Argentine Industrial Union, UIA, annual conference and addressing a packed audience from the business community, labor unions and officials Cristina Fernandez said she was contrary to forcing companies to distribute profits with the workers unions. “This must be worked out between entrepreneurs and workers, it can’t be imposed”

Cristina Fernandez said that “our model is a growth model and not one of inflation targeting. The inflation-targeting model is a Washington consensus scheme that destroyed (Latin America). We believe in growth, jobs and social inclusion and we are going to continue along that line” said in an hour long televised speech.

The Argentine president said that industrialists have defined the next four years as a period of development, “however I would like to go a little further than that, and label it a period of fine tuning. Until now we have made reference to the small, medium and large businesses; but now we have to centralize each and every sector with regard to competitiveness in each company, which will only be sustainable through adopting policies of inclusion”.

CFK recommended that companies not look for competitiveness in lower salaries or subsidies and stated that “what we will need to measure in this world is that each company has a standard practicality”.

“Some believe that competitiveness means lower salaries o paying less taxes or collecting subsidies. Now we must begin with fine tuning to analyze inflation, subsidies, profits… Let us talk sincerely, I’ve learnt not to get mad”, said the President who then criticized those who spread ‘nonsensical rumours’.

The President reviewed the idea of the Social Pact and advocated for a better agreement between the Government, executives and unions. “There is need to innovate the behaviour of each sector, businessmen, workers and the State, as a third part in the trilogy, which has been one of the keys in the model of growth with inclusion”.

“Let us be sincere, I’m telling you what I think: if the economy could be ruled by bills sanctioned in parliament we would have no need for the UIA, the organized labour confederation CGT, but the economy is ruled by other laws”.

In reference to the global economic context Cristina Fernandez said that in the recent G20 summit the slogan was “new world, new ideas” and in effect “the new world was correct but to be honest I heard no new ideas, inside or outside. That is one of the main problems faced by the world nowadays”.
“They are trying to apply or implement old ideas to solve new problems” said the Argentine leader insisting on the term ‘financial anarchic-capitalism” in reference to the current global situation in the developed countries.

“Politicians should respect markets but those who rule have been elected by the people’s ballot”, let us not forget”.

President Cristina Fernandez is scheduled to take office for her second four year term in a ceremony 10 December.