The MACC organized a MERCOSUR-ASEAN business forum with a focus on Santa Fe

The Chamber of Commerce of the Southern Common Market – ASEAN (MACC), in collaboration with the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, organized a business forum in Buenos Aires with the aim of promoting commercial exchange between both regional blocks. This event brought together ambassadors and trade advisors from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, in addition to the notable participation of the governor of Santa Fe, Maximiliano Pullaro, and a broad representation of businessmen from the Argentine province.

During his speech, Pullaro highlighted the relevance of Santa Fe as one of Argentina’s main export engines, highlighting that the province is a leader in the export of agricultural products such as soybeans, corn and wheat. According to the governor, 22% of total Argentine exports come from this region, with dairy products, honey, sunflower seeds, cotton, rice and peanuts also being highly valued in the international market.

Pullaro highlighted Santa Fe’s interest in expanding its economic, commercial and investment activities with ASEAN countries, especially with Vietnam, which has already become the province’s third trading partner. This expansion aligns with the province’s efforts to consolidate its position in global trade and take advantage of the opportunities offered by Asian markets.

Cooperation opportunities between Mercosur and ASEAN

The Indonesian ambassador, Sulaiman Syarif, highlighted at the forum the interest of ASEAN countries in expanding their relations with Mercosur member states, with a focus on key areas such as infrastructure, investment, technology, education and tourism. According to the diplomat, these sectors represent a great opportunity to strengthen ties between both regions and can open the door to future strategic collaborations.

Pullaro highlighted Santa Fe’s interest in expanding its economic, commercial and investment activities with ASEAN countries, especially with Vietnam, which has already become the province’s third trading partner.

In this sense, Rodolfo Caffaro Kramer, president of MACC, announced that from November 3 to 14 he will lead a delegation of more than 20 Argentine companies, including several from Santa Fe, on a trade mission to Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam to explore business opportunities. market in those countries. This mission seeks to continue deepening commercial links between Mercosur companies and ASEAN countries.

Trade between Mercosur and Vietnam has grown exponentially in the last decade, making Vietnam the South American bloc’s thirteenth trading partner. The volume of exchange between both parties increased from 2.45 billion dollars in 2011 to 12 billion dollars in 2022, which represents almost a quarter of the total trade between Mercosur and ASEAN countries. This growth reflects mutual interest in continuing to strengthen economic ties and explore new areas of cooperation.

In addition to the business forum, the Vietnamese ambassador Ngo Minh Nguyet held a meeting with the representative of the province of Santa Fe, Yolanda Vega, where measures to promote parliamentary cooperation and collaboration between localities in Vietnam and Argentina were discussed. Vega praised Vietnam’s socioeconomic achievements in recent years and expressed his desire to strengthen the relationship between the two nations, especially in key areas such as agriculture, industry, technology and tourism.

With significant natural resources such as lithium, copper and silver reserves, Santa Fe is positioned as a key partner for future investments and collaborations with Vietnam and other ASEAN countries. Both sides expressed their commitment to continue working to strengthen these ties and take advantage of the potential offered by cooperation between both regional blocs.