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Argentina
Brief Fact File| Capital | Buenos Aires |
| Currency | Argentine Peso (ARS) |
| Language(s) | Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French |
| Local time | GMT - 03:00 |
| Telephone code | 54 |
| Major cities | Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Santa Fe, Mar del Plata, La Plata, Tucuman, Salta and Bahia Blanca |
Economy
Argentina has a reserve of rich natural resources, a well structured agriculture sector and a diversified industrial base. Over the past years between 1998 to 2002, it sufferd form inflation, external debt, capital flight and budget deficits. Government failed to solve the mounting economic problem and in 2002 the real GDP had fallen by 10.9%. Slowly, the recovery was seen from 2003 and the IMF had given an estimation of 7% GDP growth in 2005. The principal business partners of Argentina are Brazil, the United States and Chile.
Major Exports:
- Edible Oils
- Fuels And Energy
- Cereals
- Feed
- Motor Vehicles
- Machinery And Equipment
- Motor Vehicles
- Chemicals
- Metal Manufactures
- Plastics
Business Dress
Business dress in Argentina is conservative. Men wear dark suits and ties and women, white blouses and dark suits or skirts. Indian clothing is for Indians so one should not adopt any native costumes.
Communication Guidelines
- Handshaking is common in Argentina when one is meeting for the
first time.
- Maintaining the eye contact is very important in a business
meeting.
- Titles are very important, especially among the elderly, like
Doctor or Professor.
- Good conversation topics are soccer, history, culture, home and
children, opera.
- Bad conversation topics are the Peron years, religion, Falkland
Islands conflict.
- Italian and German is the second and third spoken languages.
- Prior appointments are necessary.
- The Argentine executives may put in a very long day, might last
until 10.00 p.m.. An 8:00 p.m. business meeting is not unusual.
- Business dinners are popular and are usually held in restaurants.
Outside Buenos Aires, business lunches are uncommon because most
people go home to take lunch.
- Long meals with conversation is the norm. Keeping the knife and
fork crossed signals "I am finished." Do not pour wine
back-handed. It is considered impolite. While dining, hands should
be on the table and not on the lap.
- Avoid gifts of personal items, like ties and shirts, leather, and
knives. Imported liquor is the most appreciated gift, especially
scotch and French champagne because the taxes on these items are
high.
- If one is entertained in the home, he/she should arrange of
sending flowers or candy to the hostess. Bird-of-paradise flowers
are highly prized.
- One should wait for the host to sit down before sitting and also
wait to open the door before leaving.
- Argentines are a tough negotiators. Concessions do not come quickly or easily. A good relationships with the counterparts shortens the negotiation.
Business hours are generall from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (two hours early for factories) with one-hour lunch break.
Important Contacts
Associations / Ministries
Argentine Chamber of Commerce
Av. Leandro N. Alem 36 - C1003AAN
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: +(54)-(11)-53009000
Fax: +(54)-(11)-53009058
Website: http://www.cac.com.ar
Association of Argentine Importers and Exporters
Av. Manuel Belgrano 124 (C1092AAO)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: +(54)-(11)-43420010
Fax: +(54)-(11)-43421312
E-mail: aiera@aiera.org.ar
Website: http://www.aiera.org/home.htm
Argentine Chamber of Exporters (CERA)
Tel./Fax: +(54)-(11)-43944482
E-mail: contacto@cera.org.ar
Indian Embassy / Counsulate
Embassy of India
Av. Córdoba 950, 4th FI
1054 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: +(54)-(11)-43934001/4156
Fax: +(54)-(11)-43934063
Telex: 23413 EINDIA Argentina
Telegraphic Adress: Indembassy Buenos Aires
Postal Code: C1054AAV
E-mail: indemb@indembarg.org.ar
Website: http://www.indembarg.org.ar/
Working Hours:
9:00 - 5:30 (Monday to Friday)
Visiting this Country
Business Visa Rules for Argentina
Unless it is provided by treaty or any other reciprocity agreement, foreign nationals are required to obtain a Business Visitor Visa prior to the entry. Nationals of most countries require a "Visa Transitoria de Negocios" to travel to Argentina on short-term business.
- Allowable Activities as a Business Visitor
The allowable activities of business visitors are limited to the following:
a) Attend any business meetings or discussions.
b) Attend sales calls to potential client over there provided that the employee represents a commercial entity outside of Argentina.
c) Attend seminars or some "fact-finding" meetings.
- Special Note regarding Technical, Short-Term
Activities
The "Transitoria" Business Visa does not cover any duties which is considered to be technical in nature. The technical duties includes short stays to implement and install machinery, computer software or repair equipment at either an Argentine affiliate or Argentine client site.
- Maximum Period of Stay as a Business Visitor
The normal validity of most business visas is 90 days. However, the decision is sole discretion of Consulates and immigration officers.
The visa may be extended in Argentina for an additional period of 90 days. The extension may be obtained from the Immigration authorities in Argentina, prior to the expiry of the initial visa. An extension is very discretionary and valid business reasons must be shown in order to extend a stay.
The maximum validity of a business visa in Argentina is 180 days within a 12-month calendar period.
- Basic Requirements to Apply for a Business Visa
The following basic requirements for Business Visitors are subject to change or modification by the Labor and Immigration Authorities of Argentina.
- The applicant must have a residence, and an employer or
business outside Argentina and must be visiting Argentina for a
limited and pre-set time period.
- The applicant must not receive compensation from sources
within Argentina (unless for "per-diem" expenses, such
as meals or car fare).
- The applicant must show proof of sufficient funds (such as
cash or credit cards) along with a confirmed, round-trip airline
ticket.
- The applicant must show evidence that health/medical insurance will be provided by the employee's home company.
- The applicant must have a residence, and an employer or
business outside Argentina and must be visiting Argentina for a
limited and pre-set time period.
| Festival | Date |
| New Year's Day | 1 January |
| Maundy Thursday | Date Varies |
| Good Friday | Date Varies |
| Veteran's Day | 2 April |
| Worker's Day | 1 May |
| Revolution's Day | 25 May |
| Flag Day | 20 June |
| Independence Day | 9 July |
| Grand San Martin's Day | 15 August |
| Columbus Day | 10 October |
| Virgin Mary's Day | 8 December |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
Travel Tips
- Argentina is not the safest region in the world. Buenos Aires is
safe with local police patrolling to all tourist areas.
- Protect your valuables and keep them, including your passport and
tickets, in a safe at the hotel.
- The Buenos Aires barrio of La Boca has seen a number of thefts of
valuables in the past. It is just a few blocks away from the famous
street Caminito. Be careful while visiting this area.
- Taxis are available all over Buenos Aires and they are clearly
market and havde a meter. But it is safe to call a taxi from the
hotel or restaurant or a public facility.
- Women should avoid local men and should not wear flashy or
expensive-looking jewelry.
- US Dollars and Euros are accepted everywhere. Foreign currencies
is exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. Amex, VISA, Diners and
Master Card are widely accepted.
- Tips are theoretically outlawed but few hotel, restaurnats or bars add 25% service charge and then 21% tax charge. Even after all these, a minimal tip is still expected. If not, 10% on top of the bill will suffice. Taxi drivers also tend to expect tips.
