Featured Country: Argentina

Argentina is located in the extreme southern part of the South American continent. Its territory ranges from fertile plains around Buenos Aires to the Antarctic (although there is some dispute about the country’s Antarctica claims). The diversity of the landscape attracts tourism and the difference of climate types favors agricultural diversification.

Traditionally exports from the country have been mostly agricultural (wheat, soybean, wine, livestock, etc.). Even industrial exports and industries are mostly agriculture-related: Food processing, food conditioning and leather tanning industries are among the most developed. Nevertheless, new high-tech industries and services are slowly emerging and there are opportunities for overseas investors in high tech R&D. For more information, visit ProsperAr, Invest in Argentina’s website.

Because of consumption patterns, entering the Argentinean market can be difficult. Consumers prefer domestic to imported products and try to have their home appliances or machinery repaired rather than replaced. But with a total population of more than 41 million inhabitants, Argentina is one of the biggest markets in Latin America. The Mercosur region countries Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay as well as Mercosur associate members Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela are Argentina’s main trade partners.

The Argentine Foreign Ministry maintains Argentina Trade Net, which offers a directory of exporters and a schedule of trade shows. And the executive government offices maintain a list of directories (Spanish only) of banks and other enterprises useful in international trade.

The website Fundacion Investir is a guide to investing in Argentina. It offers economic data and other useful information that will guide your transactions in the country. And don't forget also the website of the U.S. Commercial Service in Argentina. The site gives extensive information about the markets through news and guides, and programs many conferences, trade missions and training events.

If that's not enough, you'll also find plenty of good research at the FITA Mini Portal for Argentina, a feature of the FITA Web site. The FITA Mini Portal has an overview of the country, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators, and tips on doing business in Argentina.

The public health system in Argentina provides emergency and non-emergency services free of charge to all, regardless of nationality or immigration status.

However, the quality of non-emergency care in public hospitals is generally below U.S. standards. Medical care in private hospitals in Buenos Aires is generally good, but varies in quality outside the capital. We highly recommend having a private international health insurance plan to ensure you receive proper care by private doctors. Purchase the Global Citizen international health insurance policy from Insurance Services of America and you will have access to English speaking physicians and hospitals who direct bill medical expenses which reduces paying out of pocket and manually submitting claims.

Many Americans come to Argentina for elective surgery procedures advertised through the Internet. Prospective patients should carefully review each surgeon's credentials and ensure that the procedures will be conducted in a hospital or clinic that provides emergency care. Medical experts also advise patients to provide their surgeons a complete health history before traveling and to allow adequate time in Argentina for follow-up care.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Argentina

Buenos Aires is the largest city and capital of Argentina as well as the second largest metropolitan area in South America. The city is the most European in the region, and is often referred to as the Paris of South America. With more than three million people, Buenos Aires was originally divided into 48 barrios (neighborhoods); however, these were combined in the 1940s to make 15 communes. While the capital city poses a number of high threats, foreign nationals face a critical risk of vehicle accidents in the city. Foreign nationals are advised to take proper precautions and be aware that drivers commonly speed and rarely follow traffic laws.

There is a high risk of non-violent crime in Buenos Aires. Theft is frequently reported in mass transit systems, department stores, airports, hotel lobbies, and other highly visited areas. Pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are among the most commonly reported crimes with nearly 400 robberies reported daily. Thieves even managed to steal the purse of one of the daughters of then-U.S. President George Bush at a San Telmo restaurant in November 2006, despite the presence of Secret Service agents. More recently, two British nationals were mugged by four assailants along a man street during the afternoon in October 2007. Criminals will often work in teams, wherein one member squirts mustard or another substance on a victim while the accomplice helps to wipe it off the victim, allowing for the other to steal their wallet, pocketbook, or other valuables. The scam is very common during daylight hours along popular shopping streets such as the Avenida Nueve de Julio.

Transportation-related crimes are frequently reported in the city. There is a high risk of vehicle theft, with a 12.3% rise in automobile thefts reported in Greater Buenos Aires during the first four months of 2009. Additionally, there is a high risk of carjacking; victims are usually targeted when their car is stopped but still running, often at traffic lights or in parking lots. Public transportation also poses several security concerns. Foreign nationals should be wary when using taxis in the city as a number of drivers have been responsible for crimes targeting foreign nationals. In October 2008, authorities detained a taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting and robbing a British tourist of US$309 in the city's Palermo neighborhood; the taxi driver was allegedly behind similar attacks on 10 others, including a U.S. national. Other taxi drivers have been implicated in kidnapping attempts. Travelers should always take licensed taxis and avoid signaling a taxi from the street to deter criminal attacks.

Violent crime continues to escalate in Buenos Aires, where robberies often turn violent. A majority of criminals are armed and willing to use violence if victims resist. In July 2009, a professional soccer player was robbed by two men while driving through a western area of the capital. The victim and several family members were held up for three hours by the gunmen who stole money and other valuables. In September 2008, a British national was shot five times and killed in the city's Moron suburb during a botched robbery attempt. Authorities say gunmen approached the victim on a moped and grabbed his backpack before opening fire.

Residential and commercial burglaries occur daily and are an increasing threat. In Buenos Aires, nearly double the number of crimes occur in wealthy neighborhoods than poorer neighborhoods. In November 2008, a businessman was injured when four armed burglars broke into his home in the city's Ezeiza suburb and stole US$64,280; the victim was shot in the leg after resisting the crime. Alarms, grills, locks, or other safety features in homes have been found to be insufficient in deterring burglars. Those residing in Buenos Aires, especially in hotels and apartments, should have a carefully screened guard service or residential security system in place for protection.

Kidnapping remains a high threat in Buenos Aires. There were 34 kidnapping-for-ransoms reported in Buenos Aires in November 2008 alone, the majority of which were reportedly express kidnappings. In July 2009, two French businessmen were rescued by police following a short gunfight with kidnappers in the villa Carlos Gardel suburb. The victims were snatched one day earlier by armed men as they were driving with a bodyguard, who reported the abduction to police. Police have been found to be complicit in or responsible for a number of high-profile kidnappings. Authorities detained several police officers responsible for the abduction of a Buenos Aires businessman in December 2008; the victim was eventually released in January 2009 for a US$230,000 ransom.

Protests are frequently held in Buenos Aires and can cause severe transportation delays. Rallies and demonstrations are often sparked by international developments or poor economic conditions. Since January 2009, there have been several anti-Israeli protests reported in Buenos Aires in response to Israel's incursion on Gaza. In May 2009, an anti-Israeli group attacked a pro-Israeli rally outside the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires. Anti-Israeli youth carried signs condemning the Gaza raid and violently attacked attendees with sticks, leaving several injured. The city was rocked by months-long protests in 2008 in which farmers blockaded roadways and launched strikes. Between February and July 2008, there was at least one protest reported in the city each week along with major food shortages.

Minor bombings occasionally hit the city, but are typically designed to make a statement rather than cause any significant damages and, usually occur in the middle of the night, when buildings are unoccupied. In August 2009, a homemade explosive detonated outside the Buenos Aires offices of a Chilean airline, damaging the building and nearby vehicles but causing no injuries. Other attacks have targeted U.S. and German car dealerships and train stations.

Buenos Aires is currently policed by the Argentine Federal Police; however, a Metropolitan Police Force is being formed for the capital city. Government authorities responsible for the new police force have emphasized a need for transparency in order to deter corruption that is widespread among federal police. In Buenos Aires, federal authorities have been linked to a number of crimes including kidnapping, extortion, and robbery. While not all police are able to speak English, authorities have set up a 24-hour police hotline in English that can be reached at 101. Response times in the city vary significantly due to traffic and police complacency. Ambulance and fire response times are also inconsistent although medical care in the capital generally meets Western standards.

Most Dangerous Areas
Travelers should be extremely cautious in the popular Corrientes district of the capital city, which contains many shops and cafes, and along Florida Street and Lavalle street, due to a high rate of pick-pocketing. Caution should also be exercised in the Caminito district of Boca, a suburb of Buenos Aires. The majority of the city's tourist attractions are located around the Plaza de Mayo, where many pickpockets congregate. High risk areas for street crime include the suburb of Boca, San Telmo, and Recoleta. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are also often found in the Buenos Aires marketplaces, such as the Mercado de San Telmo. Travelers should avoid the Plaza San Martin at night, along with Constitucion and the Retiro train station.