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Antonio GARRIDO
Head of International Desk Latin America

Support by the
Crédit Agricole group

Last updated: January 2024

The Crédit Agricole Group has a presence in Argentina with a representative office of Crédit Agricole CIB.
The Crédit Agricole Group’s Latin American Desk, based in São Paulo in Brazil, supports the Group’s business clients in Argentina by drawing on the Group’s business units and on banking partners: Banco Supervielle and Santander, and occasionally Galicia and BBVA.

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Means of payment

With Argentina

Company cheque

Bank cheque

SWIFT transfer

Bill of exchange

Promissory note

Documentary remittance

Documentary credit

Carte de crédit / débit

Usage

Weak / None

Weak / None

Common

Weak / None

Weak / None

Common

Common

Common

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Advice from the
international desk

General Information

Business in Argentina is generally conducted through the prior establishment of a relationship of trust between individuals. This takes time and may require the use of a local intermediary for an introduction. It is best to not put too much pressure on Argentine contact partners during trade negotiations. It is recommended to use Spanish during conversations. Finally, make sure to use your contact partners’ titles (doctor, engineer, etc.).

The business environment still remains uncertain: justice is independent, but with strong interference, and the government intervenes almost everywhere, without real clarity.

The business climate has deteriorated considerably as a result of the severe crisis and the unpredictable legal and regulatory environment, which is holding back private investment. The lack of predictability and reliability is a major constraint on attracting new foreign investment, including for the major French multinationals with a long-standing presence, which have to deal with issues such as the transfer of foreign currency to parent companies through atypical solutions. In addition, agents will be awaiting the result of the elections in 2023.


Investment – promising sectors

The major opportunities lie in natural resources and extraction activities: oil and gas, renewable energies (wind/solar/green hydrogen) and lithium. The country’s strategy is to become a major energy exporter, while reducing its dependence on agricultural exports.

Apart from its extractive activities, Argentina remains a major agricultural power (a major producer and exporter of grain and meat). There are opportunities for start-ups and innovative companies to provide biotechnological and greener solutions (fertilisers, biological products, seeds, soil treatment, etc.).


Means of Payment & Banking Specificities

The most commonly used payment is international transfer, followed by documentary remittance and letters of credit, although, in the latter case, to a much lesser extent. The current context of dollar shortages and exchange controls must be taken into account, which can lead to considerable delays in settlement.

Documentary credit remains an available option for securing imports with payment > 180 days, but transactions are increasingly risky for banks, which have to wait for the conclusion of the ‘SIRA/SIRESE’ procedures before finally opening an LC. Added to this is the difficulty of obtaining confirmation from foreign banks.

Most imports are subject to a minimum lead time of 180 days. Advance payments are prohibited (with exceptions such as medicines and capital goods). Payments between related companies (Argentinian subsidiary => foreign parent company) are blocked, such as payments for services and dividends. In theory, companies can submit files to justify transactions, but the BCRA does not validate them.

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