Argentine leather trade looks to add value to exports
Talks have been held in Argentina between the country’s leather industry and trade ministry, aimed at increasing both the value and volume of the country’s leather exports.
During the discussions, representatives of the country’s various leather trade bodies called upon the government to help with measures to enable more finished leather to be converted into manufactured goods. Addressing the country’s economics minister, Dr Domingo Cavallo, the delegation said that as leather goods command a much higher price in the international marketplace, such a move would bring tremendous economic and social benefits to the country, adding US$4 billion to export revenues while also creating 100,000 new jobs.
In order for this to happen, however, the government would first need to provide help with tax rebates and other incentives, the delegation said. Progress would also need to be made within the industry in terms of reducing production costs and marketing the output of the industry overseas. Central to this would be the creation of a ‘Made in Argentina’ brand, which would provide consumers the world over with an instantly recognisable assurance of quality.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Cavallo said he accepted the reasons for the initiative and would respond quickly to the proposals tabled.
