Events > LATAC Opportunities Brochure

Latin America & the Caribbean

Opportunities for UK companies

Argentina

Following a change of government in December 2019, an initial renegotiation of its debt with the IMF and an extended lockdown, Argentina is reorganising its priorities with its economy expected to grow by 4.5% in 2021[1]. Export revenue-generating industries including: agriculture, knowledge-based services, mining, and energy will be the top growth industries in the next few years[2].

Market Detail

Argentina has a natural resource base with high growth potential: it is the world´s 7th largest exporter of agricultural commodities[3], such as cakes and soybeans[3]; it has the world´s 2nd largest deposits of shale gas and the 4th largest deposits of shale oil[4].

British products and services are well received Argentina even if sometimes perceived as expensive. In this new phase of export led growth, British products that will increase the competitiveness of Argentine exports will be particularly welcome in the market.

Argentina has also been the source of quality inward investment to the UK, taking advantage of its leadership in software development, with more than 4,200 companies in the sector that have produced five of the first unicorns in the Region[5] (Auth0, Despegar, Globant, Mercado Libre and OLX). Argentina is also a Latin American point of reference in technological services applied to agriculture (AgriTech).

UK companies exporting to Argentina will find:

  • High level professional skills, including the highest English Proficiency Index in region[6]
  • Sophisticated market with European tastes
  • Member of the MERCOSUR trading bloc
  • Direct flights to the UK 
  • Double Taxation and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with UK

Opportunities for UK companies:

  • Agribusiness
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Food & Drink
  • Infrastructure (rail/water)
  • Mining
  • Security
  • Technology

[1] Real GDP % Change. Source: IMF Country Profile, January 2021 [LINK]

[2]  Argentine Investment Promotion Agency, Argentina has 5 main economic regions with diverse resources and activities, 2020: [LINK]

[3] Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations, Major commodities exporters, 2019: [LINK]

[4] Argentine Investment Promotion Agency, Argentina at a glance, 2020: [LINK]

[5] Argentine Investment Promotion Agency, Global Services, 2021: [LINK]