Argentina and UAE begin talks on trade and investment agreement — The Rio Times
In New York, United States, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates have begun negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement that is expected to cover trade and investment. Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi announced the start of the talks on September 24 during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
As The Rio Times reports, the parties have not yet signed an agreement: the meeting marked the start of the negotiation process. Areas that may be included in the arrangements include the extraction of minerals and strategic minerals, energy, agribusiness, artificial intelligence, data centers, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, tourism and urban development.
Interest in energy and metals
Argentina seeks to attract capital for copper and lithium extraction projects, as well as for the development of the Vaca Muerta shale formation. According to the Emirati side, bilateral non-oil trade in 2025 amounted to $767.5 million, up 42.6% from a year earlier.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The article also mentions a partnership involving Argentine state-owned company YPF, XRG, the international division of Abu Dhabi’s oil company, and Italy’s Eni. The companies are developing the Argentina LNG project, estimated at $51 billion, which envisages the annual supply of up to 12 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas from the coast of Río Negro Province.
Tax incentives and disputes in the provinces
President Javier Milei’s government is building its investment policy, among other things, on the RIGI regime introduced by Law No. 27,742 in 2024. It applies to large projects in energy, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, technology and other sectors. Participants in the regime are promised 30 years of regulatory stability, a lower income tax rate and customs benefits for importing capital equipment.
At the same time, several Argentine provinces and trade unions criticize RIGI because it requires purchasing only 20% of goods and services locally. Stricter requirements for local procurement and employment are in force in Santa Cruz, Catamarca, Salta, Jujuy and San Juan. The UOM metalworkers’ union opposes import liberalization, arguing that equipment imports are proceeding faster than the creation of new jobs.
