WEXPORTAR
Foreign Investment in Argentina
Why investing in Argentina?
Argentina is a stable democratic country and has a free market economic system. Argentina is one of the countries with the least state intervention over private enterprises. Argentina has a very low inflation rate by international standards ( -0.4 %2000). Argentina has a monetary and fiscal discipline. Argentina GDP per capita is 13700 u$s. Investing in Argentina provides access to 36,7 millions consumers and to MERCOSUR (210 millions consumers, GDP 1150 billion u$s dollars) Foreign investment highlights
Foreign investment is warmly welcomed in Argentina. Investments are allowed in all areas, including petroleum, mass media (broadcasting, cable, newspapers and magazines), nuclear power generation and nuclear mineral mining.
No approvals or paperwork of any kind are required to realize foreign investments in Argentina. No registration of investments is required and confidentiality is assured. Foreign investors are entitled, without approvals or formalities, to repatriate capital and remit profits abroad at any time, no waiting periods whatsoever. Unrestricted access to foreign exchange markets, absolutely no approvals or formalities for making transfers abroad. No discrimination against foreign investors: foreign and domestic companies are treated equally under the law, including access to domestic or foreign currency financing in the local market and full eligibility for economic development incentive programs. No performance requirements to be met by foreign investors. Argentina is a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, both insurance institutions covering foreign investors against risks. Foreign Investor-Specific Tax Highlights
As a result of the national treatment principle, foreign investors face the same tax liabilities as local firms. The bulk of taxes are assessed on consumption and imports; others are assessed inter alia on income, added value, wages (social security), assets and other property (mainly real estate and vehicles, although their rates tend to be negligible). No provincial income tax in Argentina. No capital gains tax. No income tax on dividends paid by corporations, regardless of whether the dividends are cash or share-originated. No income taxes on interest on fixed-term deposits and savings accounts. No tax on income derived from public or private securities. No export taxes on manufactured products. No special tax on the remittance of earnings abroad Opening an office in Argentina.
Foreigners may trade and do business in Argentina freely, they enjoy the same civil rights as Argentine citizens. Foreigners are free to structure their activities using a variety of business forms under Argentina ´s Commercial Companies Law, Civil Code and Code of Commerce.
Source: Fundación Invertir. The Complete Guide to Business with Argentina.
Investment Promotion Agency. Argentine