As usual, the president of the Argentine Wine Corporation (Coviar), Joseph ZuccardiHe was in charge of opening the event held at the Hyatt hotel with his speech. Facing the governor of Mendoza, Rodolfo Suarezand national ministers Julian Dominguez (Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing) and Daniel Filmus (Science, Technology and Innovation), and the rest of the businessmen and politicians present, the head of the Corporation demanded the elimination of retentions and asked for an exclusive exchange rate.
When starting the speech, Zuccardi He said that “Argentine viticulture has a 10-year plan, with a long-term vision, built together. The start-up is a reality and with it we consolidate and extend the process of social innovation and strategic planning.”
“The industry generates 100,000 direct jobs and 300,000 indirect jobs. But, most importantly, we have a new generation of world-class agronomists, winemakers and sommeliers,” he added.
After a friendly start towards his guests, the claims stage began, emphasizing water and economic problems.
The first request was about water resources: “The main problem is water. The crisis reaches us and challenges us, which requires a joint response. Productive development forces us to plan and allocate resources for irrigation infrastructure and efficiency.”
“The national and provincial governments must improve the public irrigation infrastructure to optimize the use of water. We must advance in a common water infrastructure agenda,” he said. Zuccardi.
On the other hand, he referred to the inconveniences of companies to sustain their exports: “Argentine viticulture needs more exporting companies. We must grow in exports and achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability for the activity. We must help internationalize more companies “.
“We need to be competitive. The increases in refunds and the elimination of import duties for SMEs help us, but it is not enough. It is urgent to extend the elimination of withholdings to the entire production chain. As a regional economy, we generate work and added value. We are a country brand. We must have a differential treatment in terms of export rights,” he said.
Lastly, he called for an exchange rate for exporters “that accompanies the macroeconomic fluctuations of the peso,” which “is essential if we want to continue with the growth trend in exports.”
Before the speeches, a series of agreements and conventions were signed, among which one stands out between INTI and the Federal Investment Council for the “Strengthening of the Sustainability of the Argentine Wine Sector”; and another between the INTI-National Institute of Viticulture (INV) to strengthen sustainability management in the wine sector and facilitate the implementation of the previous agreement.
The traditional breakfast Coviar It is the event in which the entity fulfills its responsibility to be accountable for the progress of the project. Strategic Wine Plan (PEVI) and renews the commitment of the Strategic Vision of Argentine Viticulture.
Likewise, a vintage Saturday opens full of popular events and meetings between the political leadership and the wine world, and which closes tonight with the Wine harvest Festivalto be held at the Frank Romero Day Amphitheater.