National Day interview with Ambassador Jorge Roballo of Argentina in Seoul
Ambassador Jorge Roballo of Argetnina in Seoul said, “After the successful visit to Korea of Argentine Vice President Mrs. Gabriela Michetti to Seoul in May 2016, a new chapter on the bilateral agenda was launched and, as a result of it, the two countries started a fruitful process of rapprochement in fields such as diffusion of investment opportunities in Argentina in various sectors, opening of the Korean market for our products such as beef, poultry, seafood and citric, and cooperation in various different fields.”
Speaking at a recent interview with The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language media outlets, Ambassador Roballo then stated, “In 2017, we expect to have more high-level visitors, not only economic and business delegations but also high-level officials from different branches of the Executive Bracch and Members of the Congress--with the intention of “reconnecting” Argentina with Korea as President Macri stated from the very beginning of his tenure of office.
Ambassador discussed a wide range of topics at the interview, details of which follow:
Question: What is the current volume of bilateral trade, its outlook in the next 12 months?
Answer: The bilateral trade between Korea and Argentina totaled US$ 1,628 million dollars in 2016, which shows a decrease of 6.7 % from the previous year. Argentina exported goods worth US$ 832 million to Korea and imported goods worth US$ 796 million from Korea, which resulted in a 2016 trade surplus of US$ 37 million in favor of Argentina. There was a remarkable increase in feed-grade corn exports as well as an increase of 60 % of Korean automobile exports.
Argentina offers roughly 250 export items to Korean market and more than 90 % of these consist of primary products. Although agriculture and mining products are the dominate exports from Argentina to Korea, for the first time in 2016 we have shipped foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to Korea, as part of our efforts to diversify our exports and help Korea in the fight against FMD.
The trade outlook for 2017 looks very promising. Argentina is making efforts to become more integrated with the world and South Korea has shown a great performance in its international trade this year. As a result, we expect to strengthen and increase the volume of our bilateral trade by not only favoring the current export sectors but also by adding new products and industries to our bilateral relation with Korea.
Q: What are your competitive fields of industry and products attractive to Korea and what are Korean products and services that your country might wish to import?
A: Argentina aims to become a major food supplier to the world, not only raw materials and primary products but also food products with high added value. Nowadays, Korea has been attracted to Argentina’ primary agricultural products that made up 97 % of Argentina’s 2016 exports to Korea. The specific products of interest to Korean importers are soy pellets, maize, crude soya oil, silver, rays and skates, frozen red shrimp, zinc, wine, walnuts, tobacco, lithium carbonate, cotton, polyamide, refined sunflower oil, whey, articles of iron or steel, unalloyed aluminum, yerba mate and honey, among others. As mentioned before, they are mainly agricultural products.
However, as interest in health improvement grows among Koreans so does the interest in healthy food and the quality of agricultural and marine products become more important. This is an area where Argentina has the greatest strength as the major world supplier of legume bran, sorghum, lemon juice, peanut oil, and soybean oil and is the second most exporting country of yerba mate, prepared peanuts, sunflower oil, sunflower-seed cakes and honey. Also, the fishery resources have enormous potential, possibly attracting Koreans who consume more fish than many other nations in the world.
Further, the industry role is relevant to our country´s development. The main industrial sectors are mining oil and gas, auto parts, laboratories, cosmetics and packaging. Argentina is including more Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the network for international trade since it helps to diversify the supply of exports and add value to the production chain. Linked to this, Argentina is developing industries of new audiovisual technologies, cultural products and communication, mainly in design, fashion, publishing, crafts, art and music. Also, we are improving in the field of innovation and services with the goal to keep increasing the participation of knowledge-based services, such as software, e-commerce and biotechnology. Currently innovation and services are the third most important category in Argentina´s foreign trade.
With regard to Korean products and services that my country might wish to import, the contribution of Korea in the field of information and technology in Argentine industry would be very much welcomed. Korea has developed an important industry in telecommunications, electronics, machineries and heavies industries. Actually, there are several Korean electronics products leading the market in LCD TV screens and cellphones in Argentina. In addition to that, there is a vast field of opportunities where Korean and Argentine industries can complement each other in new productive businesses.
Q: Who are the Korean companies (other than Jaebeol business groups) actively engaged in the promotion of economic cooperation between Korea and your esteemed country?
A: Generally speaking, Korean brands are well known in Argentina. Everyone knows the great Korean names of Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia, among others.
There are eight sales corporate bodies in Argentina. Other than Jaebeol they are: Hansung Enterprise that has been participating in fishery business since 1985; Ceragem and Nuga Best began providing health care business in Argentina; and Arion Technology is now in the Argentine digital broadcasting equipment market.
Q: What are the areas in your country where you want Korean companies to invest and what are the areas where you wish your businessmen to invest in Korea?
A: Argentina desires to attract companies to invest in product and infrastructure development that will also create more and better quality jobs.
Korean companies will be able to take advantage of Argentina’s abundant natural resources as well as a talented and educated labor force and a strong infrastructure. This should be very attractive to Korean companies looking to expand their businesses in South America.
There are a variety of sectors and projects in Argentina that may be of interest for Korean companies. Argentina is able to meet a large part of its energy requirements with its own natural and renewable resources. Argentina is the second largest holder of shale gas reserves and number four in shale oil in the world.
Above all, Argentina has ideal conditions for the development of renewable energies such as wind energy, solar thermal energy, solar photovoltaic energy, geothermic energy, tidal energy, hydraulic energy, and biomass, among others. Currently, my country aims to reach a level of renewable energy equal to 8 % of the total national consumption of electric power by 2018 and reach 20 % of the total national consumption of electric power by 2025.
On a larger scale, Argentina also has implemented the most ambitious infrastructure plan in the history of the country in order to improve our transportation systems of roads, marine ports, freight railways, airport and urban mobility.
Furthermore, in order to reduce the inequality in Northern Argentina, with a population of 8.6 million people, the government is giving priority to the development of new schools and hospitals, expanding sewage plant coverage and building new housing in the region under a plan named “Plan Belgrano”.
Finally, Argentina can offer Korean companies the potential to utilize Argentina’s highly creative and talented workforce to develop projects in advanced technologies and innovation industries. An association between Argentine and Korean companies in these fields can be mutually successful and profitable.
Q: Please introduce in detail the National Day of your esteemed country.
A: The “May Revolution” was a week-long series of events that took place from May 18 to 25, 1810, in Buenos Aires, capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, then a Spanish colony including the territories of present-day Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. The result was the removal of the Viceroy and the establishment of a local government, the “Primera Junta”, on May 25th. 1810. It was the first successful revolution in the South American Independence process from the Spanish Crown.
The “May Revolution” was a direct reaction to Spain's Peninsular War. In 1808, King Ferdinand VII of Spain abdicated in favor of Emperor Napoleon, who granted the throne to his brother, Joseph Bonaparte. A Supreme Central Junta led resistance to Joseph I's government and the French occupation of Spain, but eventually suffered a series of reversals that resulted in the Spanish loss of territory and power. News of those events arrived in Buenos Aires on May 18, 1810. The Viceroy then tried to maintain the political status quo, but a group of locals, among them lawyers and military officials organized an open cabildo (a special gathering of notables of the city) on May 22 to decide the future of the colony. On May 25, the open Cabildo denied recognition to the Council of Regency in Spain and established a local power (Primera Junta) to rule in place of the Spanish Viceroy.
The “May Revolution” gave way to the Argentine War of Independence, although no formal declaration of independence was issued at the time and the Primera Junta continued to govern in the name of the deposed King Ferdinand VII until 1816. In July 9th, 1816 we declared formally our Independence. As similar events occurred in many other cities of the American continent, the “May Revolution” is also considered one of the early events of the Spanish-American wars of independence.
Q: Please introduce your Head of Government in detail, including major achievements.
A: President Mauricio Macri was born in the city of Tandil, in the Province of Buenos Aires on February 8th, 1959. He is a father of three daughters and one son. He is married to Mrs. Juliana Awada. He is a civil engineer and completed postgraduate studies on Economy, Finances.
President Macri started working in the private sector, mainly in the administration of family businesses in construction and automotive industry.
In 1995 he was elected President of the “Boca Juniors Athletic Club”, one of the two most popular football teams in the country. He was reelected in 1999 and in 2003.
In 2001, facing a very strong political and institutional crisis in the country, he decided to form the “Fundacion Creer y Crecer”, with the intention to design and develop new public policies that could help to find solutions for the problems the country was facing.
Later on, together with other professionals, he founded a new Political Party that today holds the name of “Propuesta Republicana” (Republican proposals) that is recognized as PRO.
Between 2005 and 2007 he was elected Member of the House of Representatives, in the national Congress.
In 2007, was elected as Governor of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. After a successful administration, he was reelected in 2011.
In 2015, as a candidate of a coalition of small political parties, he was elected as President of the Argentine Republic with 51,34 % of the votes.
Q: What are the attractive tourist destinations of your country?
A: Argentina offers several tourist destinations that attract people from all around the world, becoming the second most visited country in South America. Visitors find a vast geography that provides them with a variety of climates and diverse natural wonders.
In the west, we can find the majestic Andes Mountains range along with vineyards (Mendoza & San Juan provinces) that produce well-known Argentine wines including the iconic “Malbec”. In the east, we have great rivers as well as extensive beaches and cliffs along the South Atlantic coastline. In the northeast, you will find the well-known Iguazu Falls, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the jungle and the wetlands. In the south of the country you can visit the valleys, lakes and glaciers of incommensurable Patagonia. Also, in the center, the province of Cordoba with its historic estancias and treasures left by the Jesuits. The capital city of Buenos Aires with its beautiful architecture, culture and history, is always ready to offer a magical evening of Tango.
Throughout the country, visitors will find a modern infrastructure supporting the tourist venues: air links and roads to each of the destinations, a variety of accommodations from luxury five-star hotels to youth hostels, and tourist information services deployed throughout the country.
In all regions of Argentina, UNESCO has distinguished 11 World Heritage sites and cultural traditions. Each of them has its own unique mystique and charm: Ischigualasto and Talampaya; The Cave of Hands (Cueva de las Manos) near the Alto Río Pinturas; the Jesuit Estancias; the Guaraní Jesuit Missions; Iguazu National Park; Los Glaciares National Park; Peninsula Valdés; Qhapaq Ñan; Humahuaca; Tango and the typical decorative style of painting known as the Filete Porteño.
It is no wonder to us that our country is the destination for so many visitors, who are always welcomed by our citizens.
Q: Please introduce yourself in detail, including your career, family and hobbies.
A: My name is Jorge J.A. Roballo. I was born in Obera, Province of Misiones, in 1952. After graduating from Commercial High School, I studied Economic & Finances in UADE University, in Buenos Aires.
In 1980 I joined the Foreign Service Institute and in August 1982 graduated as Third Secretary, thus initiating a long diplomatic career. (See additional details at the end of this article.)
Q: Please add whatever other details that we might have left out from our questionnaire.
A: In 2016, Argentina overcame a difficult transition from an economic system in serious financial imbalances and global isolation to a system that promotes sustainable economic development, social inclusion and integration into the global economy. The Government of President Macri has acted quickly to implement relevant reforms resulting in the agreement with international creditors, the liberalization of international remittances, normalization of the import regime and reduction of inflation. Now, the signs of improvements in the economy are seen in many ways and Argentina is back on track. More importantly, the economy is expected to continue improving in 2018 and 2019 as a result of the solid and lasting foundations Argentina built last year.
President Macri has rebuilt the business environment, reestablished trust and recovered international credibility, all of which allowed the country to rejoin the world market. Also, Argentina has taken a very active role on the international stage, by holding the presidency of the G20 in 2018, working closer with the OECD and becoming an observer in the Pacific Alliance. As a result, foreign companies find in Argentina a prosperous country for business opportunities and investments projects. Therefore, Argentina is willing to receive more Korean based companies that want to develop their businesses there as well as invest in several new projects that were launched by the Government recently.
Curriculum vitae of Ambassador Robalo of Argentine in Seoul:
Name: Jorge José Alberto ROBALLO
Place, date of birth: Oberá, Misiones, October 1st, 1952.-
Marital status: Unmarried
Studies:
1969: High School Degree-Escuela Provincial de Comercio Nro.1-Oberá
1973: Degree in Business Administration-Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE).
1973: Degree in Finances-UADE
1975: Chartered Accountant-UADE
Languages:
Spanish, English, Portuguese and French.
Has a working knowledge of Italian, German and Japanese.
Professiohnal activities:
1975-1980: Senior Auditor at Deloitte, Haskin & Sells Auditing Company – Buenos Aires
Promotions and responsbilities within the Foriegn Ministry, International Trade and worship:
1981 (Feb): Joined the National Foreign Service Institute (ISEN).
1982 (Ago): Graduated from the National Foreign Service Institute (ISEN). Joined the National Foreign Service with the rank of Third Secretary.
Career promotions:
1985: Second Secretary
1989: First Secretary
1992: Counselor
1997: Minister-Counselor
2002 (Jan): Minister Plenipotentiary
Assignments within the Foreign Ministry:
1982: National Bureau of Protocol – Protocol Department.
1986: Posted to the Argentine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
1990: National Bureau of Protocol – Head of Protocol Department.
1993: Deputy Consul General-Berlin (FRG).
1995 (Nov): Argentine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan-Head of Political Department
1999 (Mar): National Bureau of Protocol-Head of Official & State Visits Dept.
1999 (Nov): Deputy Chief of Protocol
2000 (Mar): Cultural Affairs Division
2001 (Mar): Asia & Oceania Division-Head of Japan Desk
2002 (Ene): Deputy Chief of Protocol
2003 (Apr): Appointed as Argentine Ambassador to the Dominican Republic
2009: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship.
2010 (Jun): Argentine Host Country Secretariat-Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the “XXXIV Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)”. Buenos Aires 2011
2012 (May): Charge d’Affaires a.i. to the Republic of Azerbaijan-Opened the Argentine Embassy in Baku.
2013 (Mar): Charge d’Affaires a.i. to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
2013 (May): Designated Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of Korea.
Special misions:
1982-1985: Member of several Staff & Support Committees” in Official & State
1990-1993: visits paid by the Argentine President to foreign countries.
Decorations:
1984 Insignia of the Aztec Order-México
1984 Official Cross-Order of Isabel the Catholic-Spain
1985 Official-Order of Merit-Italy
1985: Knight-Order of San Carlos-Colombia
1992: Order of the Libertador Fifth Class-Venezuela
1992: Commander-Sovereign Military Order of Malta
1993: Commander- Order Simon Bolívar-Bolivia
2000: Commander-Order of Merit-Chile
2009: Great Cross Silver Plaque-Order of Duarte, Sanchez & Mella Dominican Republic