In the framework of the International and IntraNational Business Round that was held in the Amerian Villa María Park Hotel, 430 business interviews were conducted and there were 19 operators, from which 11 were from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay and 8 were from the provinces of San Juan and Buenos Aires. They had the opportunity to meet with over 40 Argentine companies.
The business conferences of the Food and Food for Animal Nutrition Sector were organized by ProCórdoba Agency together with the Federal Investment Council (CFI), the Entrepreneurs Association of the Center Region of Argentina (AERCA) and the co-organization of the Government of the provinces of Santa Fe and Entre Ríos.
The Latin American markets were the most interested ones, demanding a wide range of products that opened up participation opportunities and negotiations to a wide range of national companies that offered products of different regional economies of Argentina.
The Mayor of the host city, Martín Gill, said:
"A central axis in the economy of our province is the industrialization process regarding food. We must promote, disseminate and create accompaniments and methodologies that allow regional to find new markets and connections. Incorporating the IntraNational Round opens an internal market that is developing more and more. By generating these spaces, Villa María acts in tune with the guidelines that the economic development of the province presents. The true progress takes place when the institutions work together. We thank the presence of the Finance Minister, Osvaldo Giordano and ProCórdoba Agency, which play a strategic role in the materialization of this round.”
Moreover, the Finance Minister, Osvaldo Giordano, said:
"In these meetings, opportunities are created and they have to be taken into account. We must not be a passive agent, but the providers of the solutions and challenges that lie ahead.”
The importers also expressed their perspectives after having participated in the meeting. Jorge Altamirano Luna on behalf of Promociones 1021 of Lima, Peru, said:
"We think that it is very important and rewarding to participate in the business rounds, where we exchange cultures and business experiences. We have a lot of expectations about peanut oil and we found a provider that sells this product which is consumed a lot in Peru. We’ve seen a niche market there and we've been in contact to evaluate costs.”
From Chile, Humberto Cuevas Silva and Gabriel Bússoli, on behalf of Grupo Carozzi, were present:
"Participating in this round and dealing directly with producers (suppliers that are manufacturing the product) open up a very attractive window of supply alternatives and eliminate the value chain with the arrival of the products in Chile. The logistics of the event has been very good."
Within this framework and by continuing with the main aim of the IntraNational program carried out by ProCórdoba Agency, the business round was developed. The producing and purchasing companies from Córdoba and other provinces were able to participate and they had the opportunity to have contact and trade with operators from Buenos Aires and San Juan. These first practices prepare our companies for a next export and provide us with the opportunity to identify the prospective export companies.
José Javier Marín, Sales Manager of Molinos Marimbo S.A.I.C. of La Carlota city (Córdoba) presented himself as an offeror and said:
"We have lots of expectations and we came to provide 000 and 0000 industrial flour, self-rising flour, bread crumbs and a new product, self-rising flour for pizza, among others. Conducting the International and IntraNational Round jointly is very interesting and innovative. I consider that it widens business opportunities. There are operators of the province of Córdoba that I didn't know."
Moreover, Lucas Fragasso, on behalf of Gringo´s, the self-service and supermarket chain of La Plata city, said:
"Our aim is to generate links and direct contact with the producers of Córdoba and other provinces by trying to eliminate intermediaries and thus to be able to decrease costs. Regarding ProCórdoba, we are grateful for being invited and having the opportunity to participate because these meetings provide an important exchange of information and business.”
Villa María Exporta closed a new edition with positive results. In addition to promoting the exchange of different regional economies internationally, the edition added the IntraNational Round among Argentine provinces.
