Since I decided, three decades ago, taking part in the democratic processes of my home province, I did it considering that its territory, people, culture and history are key pillars for an inclusive, responsible and sustainable development.
Due to its geographical disposition, Catamarca have always had great difficulties to be fully integrated to the national productive structure.
During the pre-independence period, Catamarca was merely an alternative stopping place on the way to the Alto Peru; then in the 19th century, commerce shifted in Atlantic orientation, inflicting a heavy blow on our development potential.
Nevertheless, the 21st century shows us clearly a different scenario, for a number of reasons: In the first place, because of the radical changes in terms of technology, in the last two decades, for trading and reaching international investment agreements. It is increasingly effective and easier to get in contact with the investors that see Catamarca as a real opportunity. The new business approach generated by the demand for raw materials or products with added value from the Asian markets offers a possibility that must be exploited.
In the second place, the Pacific has become a robust and log-term trading space, showing the world, especially South America, that investors from the great powers of Asia agree on the need of creating conditions for a sustainable trade. Now, the provinces from the NWA (North western Argentina) and the Cuyo region are welcome to generate new bonds for work and harmony.
Last, but not less important, we have demonstrated, for an entire decade, a strong commitment to work and continuos dialogue in the public sector, achieving improvements in the local infrastructure, so that our land besides of showing its natural fertility could exploit its commercial fertility.
This requires investment in connectivity and logistics, practical administration of natural resources, service infrastructure, and more credit at interest differential rates for productive growth. At the same time, a modernization of educational guidelines is needed to generate skilled labor and professionalization.
Currently, Catamarca has better road and air connectivity in order to reach every productive area.
Nowadays, we are moving forward with the construction of new routes that improve road connectivity. With the support of President Alberto Fernández and his team we are building and improving provincial routes.
Companies start turning its social responsibility into clean energy projects for their self-sufficiency.
Entrepreneurs and producers have access to low-rate credits to fund their projects entirely by the private sector.
Education starts tracing a profile of scientific development thought to future trades and professions.
And above all, its wide variety of climates present Catamarca as one of the tourist jewels in Northern Argentina: volcanoes, salt flats, mountain range, vineyards, rivers, hills and forests that range from Antofagasta de la Sierra to Sierra de Ancasti and the agricultural pampa; with a firm commitment to becoming the key of the new development of North-western Argentina.
State modernization is now a reality that allows streamlining the administrative operations, developing a territorial planning, and trading through the most effective marketing channels, which in turn, enable the province to be more competitive and profitable as part of the world integration, even in advantage from the most remote provinces.
This modernization process represents a step forward to provide each provincial department of an Innovation and Development Center, in which children and young people could have the opportunity of learning, training and entering the labour market, as it was planned and carried out before.
Years of work have proved that the effectiveness of these policies can create the conditions for investments and productive development in Catamarca. The coming years will show that the model of a present and responsible State, were just the kick-off for regional development and productive relationships with the world.
Raúl Jalil