ArgentinaArgentina

Political and economical informationPolitical and economical information

• Federal democratic RepublicFederal democratic Republic

• Composed of 23 provincesComposed of 23 provinces

• The federal capital is The federal capital is Buenos Aires

• The president is elected for a The president is elected for a term of 4 yearsterm of 4 years

• Current president : Current president : Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

• The provinces have autonomy The provinces have autonomy and elect their own authorities and elect their own authorities headed by the Governorheaded by the Governor

Political and economical informationPolitical and economical information

• Any economic activity and political decision-Any economic activity and political decision-making is concentrated in Buenos Airesmaking is concentrated in Buenos Aires

• Trade Unions are corrupt in Argentina, and Trade Unions are corrupt in Argentina, and they can sometimes be menacingthey can sometimes be menacing

• The Argentine currency is the peso, divided The Argentine currency is the peso, divided into 100 Centavosinto 100 Centavos

Political and economical informationPolitical and economical information

1 EUR = 5,74 1 EUR = 5,74 ARS ARS

People distribution in ArgentinaPeople distribution in Argentina

• 41 million people (July 2009)

• 13 million in Rosario, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires (one third)

• The Pampa is a vast grassy plain as big as France– 60% of the whole population– Industrial core – 70% of the cattle ranches

• From 1880 Buenos Aires is the capital– Despite its non-central position– Due to economic activities

(Pampa)– Harbour to Europe (English

influence)

Argentinean originsArgentinean origins

• The Pampa has been developed by and for the Europeans (19th century)– Granary for Europe– Many industries investments

(UK)– European workforce

• 1860 -> 1930• 6 millions immigrants• Majority from Italia, Spain,

Yugoslavia, Germany, France

Argentinean originsArgentinean origins

• The most European country from Latin America– 85% European– 13% half blood people– 2% native people

• Spanish is the official language– 95% of the population– 5% speak native languages

Geographical ContentGeographical ContentArgentine’s neighbours

Argentine’s regions

Argentine’s geographic diversity

Historical ContentHistorical Content

Today

Spanish colonisation

2001 economical crisis

1930 – 1983: time of dictatorships

1982: Malouines War

Who is Emmanuel Defrance?Who is Emmanuel Defrance?

• Graduate of the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (ENPC) in 1990

• 10 years of his career abroad (North America, Mexico, Canada and Argentina)

• of which 5 years in Argentina• GTM from 1990 to 1997 (business of

construction and design)• Dumez from 1997 to 1999 (more

service oriented in the field of water and environment)

• Suez Environment from 1999 to now

His feeling about ArgentinaHis feeling about Argentina

• Argentina is really different from other countries in Latin America

• Argentines tend to be more pessimistic than other Latinos

• They have little attachment to their country and would tend to invest more in foreign countries than their own

• There is an important poverty : in big city, up to 10% of the population lives in slums and dump

• The cost of living is relatively expensive and purchasing power is very low

His feeling about ArgentinaHis feeling about Argentina• Argentines go out late at

night (after 23:00) and can stay in bars or restaurants until 4am

• The temperature in Argentina is about 23 º throughout the year

• the emblems of Argentina:– The Gaucho : the cowboy

of Argentina– The Sado : the Argentine

barbecue• they follow football :

emergence of a sort of nationalism (rare)

What to do and not toWhat to do and not to

• What to do:What to do: integrate in the local lifeintegrate in the local life be aware and understand the be aware and understand the culture culture speak Spanishspeak Spanish accept the fear of the foreignersaccept the fear of the foreigners be tactful and diplomatic be tactful and diplomatic

concerning the businessconcerning the business know your colleagues and be know your colleagues and be

trustfultrustful looking good in the eyes of looking good in the eyes of

othersothers• What not to do:What not to do:

forget your former work forget your former work methods and your rigormethods and your rigor

choose the easinesschoose the easiness direct confrontationdirect confrontation

Economic crisisEconomic crisis•Pesos ≠ Dollars•Social crisis:•Plundering, demonstration•Debts (50% of population into poverty and 23% of unemployment)

•No investissement:•Suez has been retired from cleaning up project

•GDB increase by 21% in 4 years•Public depth raise by 140 B$

Economic crisisEconomic crisis

•What now After ?

•Between 2003 and 2007:•GDB increase by 9%

•Agreement with Brasil to protect production sectors

•After 2007:•Inflation increase by 25%

•3rd biggest GDB in all America (even if it is volatile)

Thank you for your Thank you for your attentionattention

Any question?Any question?