In the framework of the Foreign Trade Conferences organized by ProCórdoba Agency, the President of the Chamber of Metallurgical Industries and Components of Córdoba (C.I.M.C.C.), Isabel Martínez, was interviewed.
-Which are the goals set by the C.I.M.C.C. for this year? Which are the most important initiatives that are being carried out for the sector you represent?
Since 2009, the C.I.M.C.C. has been implementing the diversification strategy for markets through the execution of its program “Development of Domestic Suppliers,” with the aim of strengthening the development of metallurgical suppliers of the province of Córdoba and increasing the gross geographic product.
In this framework, since 2013, the CIMCC has created commissions from suppliers: the Mining, Oil and Gas Commission (C.M.P.G.), the Machinery for Food Industry Commission and two recently created commissions, Railroad Commission and Naval Commission.
Regarding the activities carried out during 2014 and 2015, different training activities can be mentioned. Moreover, trade promotion activities were carried out. The C.I.M.C.C. coordinated visits to oil companies in areas of operation and visits to Córdoba industries with the aim of knowing their productive capacities.
In April 2014, with the aim of strengthening the development opportunities for suppliers, the C.M.P.G. signed a convention with the Argentine Group of Oil Suppliers (G.A.P.P.) and in October 2014, together with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Mining, and Scientific Technological Development of the Province of Córdoba and other entities of the public, private, and education sector of the province, it created the Oil, Gas, and Mining Industrial Cluster of the Province of Córdoba. What is more, it participated in different meetings of the "Programa Sustenta YPF"(Program for Regional Development) whose general goal is to improve the productivity, competitiveness, quality of YPF suppliers and the national industry.
The trade promotion events included the organization of missions, in conjunction with ProCórdoba, for the metalworking sector linked to mining in Neuquén, Comodoro Rivadavia, Buenos Aires, Mendoza and San Juan. Moreover, Chile and Brazil were also visited; in total, 110 companies participated in the trade promotion activities, as mentioned earlier.
As a result of these actions, a link between providers of the first stage of the "Vaca Muerta" Oil Project and partners of our entity was established. The existing relations have been intensified. It is important to say that six partner companies of our entity have been consolidated as suppliers: Gi-re, Elevan Industria Metalurgica SRL, Sides Eléctrica, SMB Pumps, Bertotto-Boglione S.A. and Antares SRL, among others.
Regarding the naval sector, a training course has been developed. It is about the naval industry in Argentina and Paraguay and the business opportunities for companies from Córdoba. Moreover, a trade mission was carried out and it resulted in a contract for the provision of services on the part of IE-MAT Company.
Regarding the railroad sector, conversations have begun to develop provincial providers for the project that is being developed by the Military Factory of Rio Tercero.
-Being part of the Directory of ProCórdoba Agency, what does it contribute to C.I.M.C.C.? Which have been the results or particular actions of this work during these last years?
-Being part of the Directory allowed us to propose different events for trade promotion that are relevant of our partners with the aim of being incorporated in the calendar of Fairs and Trade Missions of ProCórdoba and carrying out different trade promotion activities, as mentioned earlier.
Thanks to the international and intranational program of ProCórdoba, companies of the sector were able to contact prospective clients. As a result, the possibility of generating product diversification has increased and business opportunities have been opened up.
-What does the joint work with leading institutions contribute to the sector of local foreign trade from the Directory of ProCórdoba Agency?
-The intersectoral work enriches the projects and allows the Gross Geographic Product to develop.
- Is there any other aspect you consider important to highlight of the work of ProCórdoba Agency?
-It is important to highlight the predisposition of ProCórdoba Agency to respond to our requests about the economic assistance for new destinations and/or events that are not in the calendar of Fairs and Missions of ProCórdoba which contribute to the local metallurgical sector.
-During May, the Agency organizes the Foreign Trade Conferences “Consolidating the export culture” with the aim of thinking about and training on the challenges of foreign market. In what way can this initiative contribute to the institutional strengthening of the sector?
-The conferences provided information about a space that is unknown by many companies, which limits the access to the foreign market. A greater understanding of it allows companies to feel it closer and with greater predisposition to start planning for its internationalization.
