The Government of Santa Fe continues to strengthen its position in foreign trade. After negotiations by the Minister of Productive Development, Gustavo Puccini, last December, national government authorities confirmed a strategic authorisation for the province's international airports located in Rosario and Sauce Viejo which, from now on, will be able to operate under the Exporta Simple regime.
"This progress is the result of a lot of work and negotiations led by Governor Maximiliano Pullaro before the National Government. It represents a milestone for international connectivity and economic growth in the province, benefiting entrepreneurs and SMEs," said Puccini.
Negotiations
It should be recalled that at the end of December 2024, the provincial head of Productive Development sent to the authorities of the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation, headed by Federico Sturzenegger, and to the Agency of Revenue and Customs Control (ARCA), headed by Juan Pazo, the request to enable Rosario Airport to operate under the "Exporta Simple" regime.
A little more than two months later, the Nation accepted Santa Fe's request. The measure will allow SMEs in the region to export in a more agile and direct way through provincial airports, even without being registered as exporters. Until now, Ezeiza was the only authorised point in the country for these operations. During Expoagro, the coordinator of National Production, Pablo Lavigne, confirmed this announcement to Minister Puccini. The resolution will boost the transport of cargo at air terminals, particularly small cargo such as pharmaceuticals, laboratory supplies and high-value spare parts, types of goods that can be managed through this new modality.
"The Exporta Simple regime, promoted at the national level, simplifies export processes, eliminating bureaucratic procedures and speeding up shipping times. Under this scheme, MSMEs will be able to dispatch products by shipment through logistics operators, facilitating their insertion in international markets without unnecessary complications," Puccini explained.
New opportunities, new airports
Puccini pointed out that the enabling of the Exporta Simple regime is part of a new strategic vision for Santa Fe's airports. This approach seeks to enhance logistics services and attract large cargo transport companies, offering an efficient and decentralised alternative for national and international trade. Rosario, with its strategic position and ability to operate as a key hub, presents itself as an attractive location for logistics operations, especially in the context of the growing demand generated by e-commerce.
This initiative will allow local companies to export their products through the services of logistics operators from Rosario. In addition, the airport will be able to offer a more personalised logistics service at a lower cost compared to other terminals such as Ezeiza, whose operations are more expensive and require longer service times. "We are thinking about and building a new airport. This transformation not only strengthens national and international connectivity, but also underlines its capacity to position itself as a key driver of economic and commercial development in the region", summarised the head of the productive portfolio.
Works and modernisation for the future
The authorisation not only implies the operation under this regime, but also a commitment of the Provincial Government with the modernisation of its airports. Rosario and Sauce Viejo are undergoing major upgrading works, including infrastructure improvements, incorporation of specialised equipment and optimisation of customs procedures. These actions are designed to ensure more efficient exports. In addition to favouring foreign trade, this initiative is projected as an engine for tourism and regional connectivity. The improvement of runways and the opening of new air routes will not only increase exports, but also attract flights from tourist destinations, further boosting the provincial economy. "The Province, once again, is at the forefront of international trade, demonstrating that connectivity and modern infrastructure are essential drivers for economic development," said Puccini.
What is Exporta Simple and how does it work?
"Exporta Simple" was created with the aim of facilitating smaller exports for commercial purposes and using the services of postal service providers as an operational channel for these exports. It offers the possibility of quoting and comparing shipments between different certified logistics operators, who are responsible for collecting, sorting, transporting and delivering the goods to the destination chosen by the user. The service allows exports of up to USD 15,000 per shipment and an annual maximum of USD 600,000.
The provincial government authorities indicated that although the technical details must be defined in conjunction with Customs, the measure represents an important step forward for the province and the aeronautical sector in general. In the coming days, meetings will be held with customs authorities to coordinate the implementation of the regulation. "The resolution is already in place. Now it remains to define how it will be implemented and what the specific scope at airports will be. It is a great achievement that we are ready to capitalise on", concluded the Secretary of Transport and Logistics, Mónica Alvarado.
