Argentina will continue to apply non-automatic import licences in those sectors where it is deemed necessary to develop local industry and protect jobs, Industry and Tourism Minister Debora Giorgi said on Friday.
Speaking at a local industry congress, the minister added that despite this Argentina will “make all the necessary efforts to deepen industrial integration in the Mercosur, particularly with Brazil.
Brazil, Argentina’s largest trading partner, has become increasingly concerned over Argentina’s restrictions and has retaliated by holding up Argentine shipments at border crossings.
Last week President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, held a meeting in an attempt to find a solution to the rising number of trade spats. Both countries agreed at the meeting that ministers from both countries will meet every 45 days to discuss issues.
Argentina committed to releasing the non-automatic import licenses within 60 days, from 2010, in line with WTO practice.
For its part, Brazil agreed to give Argentina advanced warning when it required non-automatic licenses.
Brazil applied non-automatic licenses last month without warning Argentina.