The blueberries from Tucumán to Antofagasta will begin to come out next month

The blueberries of Tucumán towards Antofagasta will begin to leave next month

29/09/2016

Argentina and Chile set the north for export, the governors believe that there will be more regional investments.

The objective is clear, but the goals will be met gradually, in a process that can mean "The construction of a true bioceanic South America", as it was defined yesterday by the Argentine ambassador in Chile, José Octavio Bordón. That is the goal that is pursued in the meeting of the XXVIII NOA Border Integration Committee, Norte Grande, Argentina-Chile, that yesterday was enabled in this city. The representatives of both nations have as their aim to delineate strategies to advance in concrete actions that allow to increase the commercial interchange between both countries. The opening was attended by the host governor, Juan Manzur, and his peers from Jujuy, Gerardo Morales, and from Salta, Juan Manuel Urtubey. There was also the trans-Andean ambassador in Argentina, José Antonio Viera Gallo, among others.

The summit constitutes one of the most important regional integration forums in the context of the international neighbor relations of both countries and is intended to address, coordinate and resolve the aspects inherent to border bilateral integration.

During its development, economic, social, cultural and environmental issues will be addressed, as well as physical integration among the countries, while promoting productive, tourism, investment and commercial exchange activities among the regions involved. During his presentation, held at the Hilton Garden Inn Tucumán, Valentin Volta Valencia, mayor of the region of Antofagasta, said that in October the first export of blueberries from Tucumán to Antofagasta will begin and then enter the US market.

"The amount of fruit will be 67 tons per trip, which will be carried out once a week but with expectations of making a daily trip later", he said.

For his part, Ambassador Bordón praised the decision to create new highways with Belgrano Norte; the rapid mobilization of the railway and the project "Capricorn" that will integrate the Mato Grosso of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina with Chile through an oceanic connection.

Meanwhile, Viera Gallo remarked that Jama's border crossing has been significantly improved and that they are currently working on the Sico Pass. "We have proposed to Governor Manzur that the train that joins Salta with Antofagasta and Mejillones also arrive in Tucumán", said the Chilean ambassador to Argentina, who hopes that this project will be part of the Belgrano Plan. "Both countries have prioritized 26 steps that must be ready in 2030 for the economies to work correctly, but for that it is necessary an investment of 3.000 million dollars, of which 2.000 million will contribute Chile and 1.000 million will put Argentina", enumerated the Chilean diplomat.

The Minister of Productive Development of the Province, Juan Luis Fernández, stressed the importance of Chile having access to the Pacific both to the United States and to Southeast Asia. While we, having a totally opposite climate, we should be the big suppliers of products for the Chilean north. However, he clarified that in business we did not achieve a sufficient level of integration. "I think Chile's free trade agreements can be well used by companies in Tucumán", he opined.

Source: La Gaceta