Specialists underline that the economy of Argentina has been recently on rise after the recovery from a severe economic crisis of 2001/2002. Over the last 5 years, the country’s GDP growth has been quite high: 9.2% in 2005, 8.6% in 2007 and 6.6% in 2008 (slowed down by the international financial crises). Such progress was achieved at the expense of industrialization, national debt restructuring and flexible fiscal policy of the government. Current GDP (ppp) is 585 billion USD, and GDP per capita is 14,500 USD.

Traditionally, the country’s economy was based on the production of agricultural goods, and now Argentina remains among the world’s leading exporters of such products as corn, wool, wheat, sunflower seeds, soybeans, fruit, meat, tobacco, food processing and other related products. Besides, the country has numerous natural reserves of important minerals, including coal, iron ore, copper, zinc and tin, as well as vast resources of natural gas and oil, which make the country self-sufficient in its needs for energy.

Argentinean economy enjoys the benefits of highly qualified and educated labor force, which was estimated in 2008 as 16.27 million people. More than a half of the labor force is employed in services (56.7%), the share of industrial workers is 34%, and the rest are employed in agriculture and other economic sectors. In 2008, the urban unemployment rate in Argentina totaled 7.8%. At that, government spends over 13% of the national budget for various labor and education programs.

Economic environment of Argentina is one of the most attractive markets among the national economies of Latin American countries. A lot of financial and other investments were recently received from such developed countries as Japan, the U.S., Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, China, and many others. It is estimated that currently, about 450 companies owned by the U.S. investors operate in Argentinean market, giving a job to more than 150,000 local employees.

The most attractive and profitable industries for overseas investors include manufacturing, real estate, construction and transportation, telecommunication, mining and energy sectors. However, current considerable governmental debts to international financial institutions and numerous arbitration claims of the creditors affect investment and financial climate of the country.

Therefore, the present Argentinean market and economic environment should be considered favorable for starting a new business or investing funds. At that, when thinking about possible international trade and the opportunities to buy high-quality goods from Argentinean companies or enterprises, many specialists would recommend buying agricultural products, such as wheat, soybeans, sunflower oil, corn, cereals, as well as fruit, meat, a variety of food processing products, along with energy products, refined fuels, vehicles, industrial and high technology goods.

As to possible investments, such sectors as telecommunication, agriculture, hotel and tourism business, services, energy and petroleum are currently among the most attractive and lucrative economic sectors in Argentina. Finally, knowing the specifics of the local market and the needs of Argentinean business enterprises and companies, it is possible to suggest selling such products as industrial machinery, tools and equipment, scientific equipment and instruments, manufactured goods, chemicals and various organic materials, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, and so on.