Brazil and Argentina signed a deal over the weekend that seeks to guarantee importers will have enough U.S. dollars to pay for exports, a move to increase trade between both nations that has been hit hard by a sharp depreciation of the Argentine peso.
Argentina's new subsidies’ scheme will have an “insignificant” impact on prices since the whole package basically involves a 'redistribution' of funds, argued Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich, emphasizing the decision aims at “encouraging the rational and responsible use of public services.”
Argentina will cut expensive natural-gas and water subsidies this year which will have an increase impact in utilities' rates between 20% and 80% on average. The gas and water subsidies reduction will reach 80% of top consumers and the accumulative impact will range from the equivalent of 2.5 to 102 dollars, said the Ministry of Economy in a release.
Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Census, Indec, announced that the country's GDP grew by 3% across the last calendar year, dropping short of the figure necessary to service bonds linked to the nation's economic activity.
Inflation in Argentina during the month of February reached 3.4%, which means that in the first two months of the year the index stands above 7.1%, according to the latest figures released by the country's National Institute of Statistics and Census' (INDEC) Consumer Price Index.
Economy Minister Axel Kicillof argued that Argentina does not have serious economic problems, but rather “complexities, difficulties and challenges,” and accused economists and dissident media outlets of orchestrating a campaign to generate an “end of the world” feeling among members of society.
Argentina's reactions to the country's image in the US and particularly that of President Cristina Fernandez administration economic policies have not ceased. This time it was ambassador before the US government, Cecilia Nahón who strongly replied the terms of an editorial from The Washington Post anticipating Argentina's coming collapse.
The Paris Club is open to talks with Argentina on repaying its debt, the group of creditor nations said on Wednesday, moving closer towards launching formal negotiations with Buenos Aires.
The New York Times published on Wednesday a very strong editorial criticizing the misguided policies of the government of President Cristina Fernandez, arguing that once again 'Argentina is on the brink”.
The following piece from The New York Times, written by Simon Romero and Jonathan Gilbertjan gives an insight into the life and thinking of the most powerful Economics minister Argentina has had in a decade: Axel Kicillof and the brains behind the current rather eclectic policies.