Payment of imports: Entrepreneurs speak of “trade default” and a brake on activity

Used to overcoming obstacles in such an uncertain Argentina, most companies already assumed it imported in 2022 would have been shortened. And they kept orders to a minimum despite perceived potentially high demand.

It is curious, but they assure hyou took your worries on time to the Central Bank and the Ministry of Productive Development, in the time of Matías Kulfas. And the feeling is that no one has addressed the issues while publishing what, according to several industrialists, they were “Absurd imports from private jets to special machineryl for cryptocurrency mining ”that the Government is now discovering in the overbilling maneuvers.

Suddenly, since last Monday, everything has started to move. the real problems began. “We are in the midst of a commercial default Rarely seen, “he said Clarione an industrialist who applied for registration. “The decisions were not made in time and now they have been placed handbrake that forces us to derail “, they pointed out in an auto parts company that foresees paralysis and less activity in the entire supply chain. In an electronics company they talked about shortages and interruptions of production lines.

Another businessman commented that the 180 days allowed to access the official dollars are in fact many more since they are counted by the officialization of the import that is when it arrives at the port and the “transit time” is not considered, which is what it takes for the goods to arrive at the port, which can vary from one to two months more.

They point this out in the resolution of the Central supplies purchased and already on the way are not considered to Argentina, a commercial debt already contracted by several companies.

In the UIA they also warn that the decision to limit exports to what was actually imported last year plus 5%, it does not take into account the increase in inputs. With the war in Ukraine, in some cases everything related to glass has risen by 200%, in addition to increases in energy.

So far the banks, in exchange for a guarantee, they gave the companies the dollars so that from a foreign branch they could pay their suppliers in a world where, because of the war, almost everything they are collecting cash.

But since last Monday, the banks have been holding on to that deal for fears that after 240 days, when transit time is considered, even the official dollar will not be accessible. And they ask companies for dollar guarantees.

Put to interpret this requirement, a business woman slipped: “That means it matters they will be done in cash with settlement, imagine where the prices will go. It’s a problem because the question won’t validate them ”.

Moving forward, there is another perception on the part of companies and that is that they will not be able to pay their debts abroad, as happened in 2021.