If rowing in uncertainty were an Olympic sport, Argentina would probably beat all records. We say “probable” because in any local projection you always have to dedicate a generous space to uncertainty. Resolution 30/2020, published in the Official Gazette on January 20, suspended several aspects related to the regulation of Law 27506 on the Promotion of the Knowledge Economy, once again plunging into uncertainty an industry such as the Software industry which, in Argentina, includes some 5,000 companies and which was expected to export some US$ 15 billion by 2030, also creating 250,000 jobs. Since Law 27.506, approved by Congress last May, is not exclusive to the software industry, other activities such as audiovisual production and post-production, biotechnology, genetic engineering, professional services for export, nanotechnology, and the aerospace and satellite industry are added to this vertical, completing a scope of 11,000 potential beneficiaries, who now have no choice but to wait for the new definitions.
Specifically, Resolution 30/2020 designates the Department of Industry, Knowledge Economy and External Commercial Management of the Ministry of Productive Development as the Authority for the Application of the Regime for the Promotion of the Knowledge Economy, created by Law No. 27506, and it is empowered to issue such clarifying and supplementary rules as may be necessary for the proper functioning of the regime. In addition, it suspends the deadlines for analyzing and processing the applications to join the aforementioned regime until the corresponding complementary regulations are issued.
Bridges over no man’s land
Adrian Anacleto, Epidata’s CEO, understands that they are currently working “to get something better, since the ICT industry is the only possibility to industrialize the country at present. We believe in the good will of those who are working to improve it and not to discard a work of so many years”. The executive of the multinational software company based in Buenos Aires assures that “the Software and Services industry and, more generally, the Knowledge industry, which was able to develop and grow to become one of the most important in the country, claimed these policies to improve competitiveness against other countries. If the IT offer becomes more expensive and the companies have to absorb this increase, it is possible that a deceleration of the sector is generated, which also has been looking for bases abroad for more stability”.
