Government, no dollars to travel: they limit official missions abroad

The lack of dollars (and the reserve accumulation goals that must be met with the International Monetary Fund) are leading the government to pass the scythe around every corner stopping any outflow of foreign currency.

It is working to limit imports of consumer goods, it will take away the ability to buy dollar savings for those who keep subsidies for public services. And now, limited travel by officials abroad by official missions, service commissions or international events, with the aim of “contributing to a greater rationalization of public spending”.

The measure was announced on Friday, with Administrative Decision 836/2022, published in the Official Gazette, with the signature of the Chief of Staff, Juan Manzur, and the Minister of the Interior, Eduardo de Pedro. He says that, from January 2020 to today 2,812 transfers abroad were processed, while in 2019 6,356 trips were made. And we know a week later the Minister of Economy Sergio Massa e a delegation comprising 10 governors trip to the United States.

“Transfers for official missions or service commissions abroad are limited, regardless of the source of funding for the expenditureto recognized international events that cannot be postponed for the interest of the national state whose organization does not foresee the possibility to participate adequately through a virtual meeting platform or videoconferencing software “, states the rule in its article 1.

And he adds that the official who asks to make a trip “must declare, by way of oath, that the event it has no alternatives that allow adequate, remote intervention“.

Also, from now on, transfers must have the prior and express authorization of the Chief of Staff in the case of ministers, secretaries of the Presidency, Head of the Military House and other officials with rank and hierarchy of ministers.

Even when they were “heads of secretariats, undersecretaries, social security institutions, regulatory bodies, liquidators and superintendents, including collegial bodies, agencies of the Decentralized and Decentralized National Public Administration and national and general directorates or their respective equivalent levels”.

On the other hand, the provision indicates that “transfers must have the subject to the consent of the head of the jurisdiction on which they depend“.

This also applies to the authorities of the Central Bank, of the National Official Financial Institutions and of the companies connected to them, of the authorities of State Companies and Companies, of Public Bodies and Trust Funds up to the level of National Director and General Manager.

The official who believes it is essential to attend an event must start the process for the Chief of Staff to give his authorization with a minimum of 10 working days in advance.

Once the mission abroad is over, the authorities must send the Chief of Staff a “Report of Operating result International”.

Furthermore, the rule says that trips abroad must be planned well in advance get good prices and “it must be done the shortest and cheapest way”.

The use of the shortest route will have priority for both the outbound and the return route and must be made from the route and airline that meets the most appropriate conditions, with priority to state airlines.

Tickets must be issued by the same airline, on a return route, not approvablerefundable only at the office of origin.

Authorized personnel, on the other hand, must present the reporting of travel and subsistence expenses.

With information from Telam

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