The fishing sector has been demanding a series of measures to improve its situation, a more competitive exchange rate and lower inflation are key points of the macroeconomy that cross all the country's industries and fishing is not exempt. That is why it drew attention that a promise of early foreign currency liquidation was published in the national media to support the government's management at its worst moment.

 

The figure of 300 million dollars that would have been committed to liquidate the sector in the next 45 days in exports, is a value similar to that which has been liquidated in previous years, it is even lower than the export figures between August 1 and on September 15, 2020, a year marked by the Covid pandemic.

 

“Within the framework of the announcements made by the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Nation, Juan José Bahillo, today held a meeting with the Chambers and businessmen of the fishing sector, who confirmed that they will advance funds for the pre-financing of exports for nearly 300 million dollars”, was published on the official site.

 

 

But the presentation made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries was actually the result of a staging managed by a single fishing company that also has interests in other productive sectors. That is why during the meeting there was no express expression of support from the sector as a whole, nor a document listing the problems that the activity is going through, nor a request for accompanying measures such as the restitution of reimbursements or refunds.

“We have not delivered any document in which we commit to liquidate 300 million dollars because exporting is our job, we do not retain our production, we sell it as quickly as possible. We came across this meeting and went to introduce ourselves and communicate that we are open to dialogue because we always want to collaborate”, said a well-known leader in the sector.

 

But good news and support is what the government needs to show today, which is why they did not hesitate to present a regular financial year as an extraordinary situation and a sign of support for Sergio Massa's new role: "This is very important for the government, it speaks very well from the sector and the commitment it has with the country", said the new secretary, Juan José Bahillo.

 

 

Although there was no document and the meeting took the leaders of the sector by surprise, the space was used to make the new official aware of the effects of a delayed exchange rate and the increase in costs for both parities and supplies.

 

"There is a very good predisposition from Sergio Massa and the way in which the Ministry of Economy is set up today will allow us a more direct response to advance on the different issues," Bahillo assured. So far, the issues on which they have publicly committed to work consist of improving the VAT refund process for companies and issues related to the import of inputs for production.

 

The businessmen of the sector who were represented by members of CaPeCA; CAPIP; CAIPA; Chamber of Shipowners; Coastal Association; LAYER; UDIPA; Arbumasa; Newsan; Cafrexport; shudder; Argenova and Pesquera Deseado, made themselves available to be part of a dialogue table in case they agree.