News of economy ministry

Out of options and money, Argentina presses the panic button

14-08-2023 22:09 After years of trying to avoid a currency devaluation that would add to soaring inflation and reduce its popularity with voters, Argentina's government has finally pushed the panic button.

Martín Guzmán: ‘Abandoning the currency never did anybody any good’

10-06-2023 06:27 Argentina’s former economy minister on tackling inflation, unifying the exchange rate regime, the IMF debt deal he negotiated and what happens after the October election.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

Brazil’s inflation expectations level off after fiscal plan

03-04-2023 12:08 President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government presents a highly-anticipated fiscal rule proposal to help control the growth of public debt.  

Argentina sells US$2 billion in peso debt after ordering bond swap

22-03-2023 21:56 Argentina sells close to 417 billion pesos (US$2 billion) in peso-denominated notes and bonds via auction, latest step in managing a massive local debt pile as the government seeks to extend maturities until after October elections.

Shale oil exports to spur Argentina's trade surplus, official says

07-03-2023 17:07 Booming oil production out of shale patch Vaca Muerta will create surpluses in energy trade for Argentina to the tune of US$8 billion within a few years, says top official.

What’s a default? Argentina’s debt buyback splits S&P, Moody’s

27-01-2023 14:35 The world’s most-watched credit assessors are split after Moody’s Investors Service classified Argentina's plan to repurchase its debt in the open market as a distressed exchange.

Bonds jump as government stuns market with billion buyback

19-01-2023 02:53 Economy Ministry is using dollars held by the Treasury to fund the buyback, including money it expects to save from energy imports it presumes it won’t need in 2023, according to sources.

Argentina’s bond buyback seems to make little sense

19-01-2023 02:45 It is generally thought that it is better to buy back bonds when they are cheap than when they have just posted a sharp rise, but perhaps Massa knows something we don't.

Central Bank poised to hold the key rate at 75% into next year

30-11-2022 08:34 Central Bank tracking suggests monthly inflation could slow to about 5.5% in November, down from 6.3% in October. 

Todesca Bocco, Argentina's candidate for IDB chief, calls for its ‘transformation’

17-11-2022 16:17 Cecilia Todesca Bocco, Argentina's Secretary for International Economic Relations and candidate for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), outlines her vision for the institution.

Massa unveils export stimulus programme for tech sector

05-10-2022 10:36 Scheme aims to boost technology exports to US$10 billion next year, says economy minister.

Sergio Massa: from buying time to running out of time

01-10-2022 07:00 No-one should doubt Massa’s courage in taking on the Economy Ministry at a time of extreme crisis, nor his ambition, despite claiming he’s taking his final steps in the political realm. He’s eyeing 2023 and 2027. Both Fernándezes know this, and they don’t like it.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Argentina seeks to shift all-cash workers into payroll jobs

30-08-2022 15:06 Policy aims to target welfare recipients who opt for informal, all-cash jobs to avoid losing government benefits and persuade them to stay in the system. 

Yachts, whiskey, bull semen land on Argentina’s import blacklist

28-08-2022 09:47 New restrictions on imports form part of the government’s frantic attempt to stabilise currency and curb inflation.

Massa gains ground in energy sector power struggle ahead of IMF talks

11-08-2022 00:03 Sergio Massa removes Energy Secretary Darío Martínez, replacing him with Salta’s Flavia Royón; Power tussle for control of the energy sector finally pans out in the exit of Darío Martínez.

Argentina’s economic signals need stronger backing, analysts say

13-07-2022 12:28 Analysts say moderate, prudent policy signals that Economy Minister Silvina Batakis announced Monday lack political support, face execution risks and won’t fix the country’s structural problems.

Overnight 20% price jump supercharges inflation crisis

08-07-2022 11:15 Before the peso plunges even further and before retailers can jack up prices further, Argentines are rushing out to buy their essentials as soon as possible. 

Resignation, transition, succession: Inside Guzmán's last days and Batakis' first

08-07-2022 09:48 The economy minister’s decision to step down, the reaction to it and how the government found a replacement – inside a momentous week in Argentina.

by Juan Luis González

Argentina's bonds, currency plunge on Batakis' first day in office

05-07-2022 17:04 Argentina’s global bonds fell the most since they were issued nearly two years ago as Silvina Batakis assumes office.

Batakis sends message to markets as she’s sworn-in as economy minister

04-07-2022 22:17 Argentina’s new economy minister Silvina Batakis says she believes in “fiscal balance” and says Argentina needs “more exports” and to “revalue our currency.” Vowing to talk to the IMF soon, she says that the government's segmentation plan to alter subsidies for public utilities will continue.