Almost 75% of companies had difficulties with imports

The trap of imports and the lack of dollars are the main concern of companies. This is not speculation: according to an investigation by the UIA (Argentine Industrial Union), 74% of producers said they have problems getting into overseas supplies and another 70% making payments in foreign currency. “Likewise, 32% have shut down some of their operations, while another 46% think they are likely to have to do so in the near future,” said the survey, conducted in August.

The tightening of import restrictions worsened over the months. Just tomorrow, Friday, a meeting was agreed between the technical teams of the Ministry of Commerce (the office responsible for the supervision and authorization of imports), the UIA, the CGERA and the CAME for analyze the most critical situations regarding overseas purchases and access to dollars to cancel commitments.

The UIA survey showed that “after a first semester with good levels of industrial production, the second part of the year began with uncertainty and more complex production prospectsThe report shows that up to July industrial activity “fell slightly to 31.5%”, a level lower than the “values ​​recorded in the previous survey (32.8%)”. The decline was no longer pronounced, according to the UIA, because companies have consumed part of their inventory.

“Despite the difficulties companies faced that month (July), production was buoyant due to declining stocks of raw materials and longer delivery times from suppliers,” the statement read. Specifically, they highlight two reasons: on the one hand, “54% of companies indicated that their stock of raw materials was reduced and 52% of companies indicated that delivery times of their suppliers increased compared to the quarter. previous one”.

The mood within companies is not the best. “Even less favorable are the expectations on the situation in the country: only 21% expect a better scenario for next year“, says the survey, but they acknowledge that” despite worsening expectations, companies believe it is a good time to invest in machinery and equipment. “of various businesses, regions and sizes, mostly of industrial origin.

The priority for the government is to protect and manage the shortage of foreign exchange. On Wednesday, the Central Bank extended “the obligation to finance imports for 180 days” until the end of the year, which expired on 30 September. Therefore, most companies that want to bring goods into the country (supplies, components and machines) have to raise their own dollars to pay their suppliers.

The approval of the SIMI (Integral Import Monitoring System) is also difficult. Two weeks ago and just before leaving for the United States, the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, limited the imports of cars to 0 km and also the purchases of supplies for the production of electronics, with the aim of saving 870 millions of dollars for the rest of the year.

On Tuesday, the Directorate of the General Confederation of Affairs of the Argentine Republic (CGERA), which represents industrial SMEs, proposed to the Secretary of Commerce, Matías Tombolini, that it could use undeclared dollars for imports, an advantage that for now has only the construction sector. That is, extend recycling to purchase supplies and machines or to clear previous debts.