The newly incorporated free trade zone areas include facilities at the city’s port and airport, encompassing five hectares at Comodoro Rivadavia, an extension at General Mosconi International Airport, and 165 hectares in Trelew.
The Ministry of Economy has formalized the expansion of the physical space of the Comodoro Rivadavia Free Trade Zone, located in the province of Chubut, through Resolution 1363/2024. This initiative includes new facilities to strengthen logistical infrastructure, boost foreign trade, and promote strategic sectors such as the metal-mechanical, food, naval, fishing, and hydrocarbon industries.
The regulation, published in the Official Gazette, amends the Free Trade Zone Operating and Functioning Regulations established in 1996. The new spaces include five hectares at the port of Comodoro Rivadavia, an extension at General Mosconi International Airport, and 165 hectares in Trelew. According to the Ministry, this expansion aims to reduce logistical costs, streamline administrative processes, and foster the region’s export activities. This development represents a strategic step to enhance Patagonia’s commercial competitiveness.
The Bioceanic Corridor and Its Strategic Relevance
The Comodoro Rivadavia Free Trade Zone plays a pivotal role in the Bioceanic Corridor that connects the ports of Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina and Puerto Chacabuco in Chile. This corridor strengthens trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, becoming a key route for regional integration and bilateral commercial exchange. The resolution underscores the expanded infrastructure’s role in supporting this strategic connection.
The newly added areas are tailored to meet the demands of industrial and commercial sectors requiring specific locations. While the port and airport areas will focus on storage and services, the hectares in Trelew will prioritize industrialization activities, creating a more efficient logistical ecosystem.
Innovation and Technology in Patagonia
In addition to boosting foreign trade, the resolution encourages projects related to research, technological innovation, and communications. According to the updated regulations, these activities will be prioritized when planning within the free trade zone. This aims to diversify the region’s economy by attracting investments in technology and sustainable development.
The regulatory framework also establishes a supervision and control system managed by the Oversight Committee. This body governs the zone’s operations, concessions, and users’ rights and obligations. It will ensure compliance with the free trade zone’s strategic objectives and facilitate a competitive and agile business environment.
Fiscal and Logistical Benefits for Users
Free trade zones operate under a regime that exempts goods from customs duties until they are nationalized or re-exported. This model enables companies to reduce operating costs, which is particularly beneficial for exporters facing competitiveness challenges in international markets. Additionally, these zones provide a flexible environment that allows users to conduct high-value-added commercial, industrial, and service activities.
The regulations allow direct users to transfer physical spaces or facilities to third parties through contracts registered with the Oversight Committee. This system promotes greater efficiency in utilizing the available infrastructure and fosters a dynamic business model that maximizes resource use.
Impact on Regional Economic Development
The expansion of the Argentine Comodoro Rivadavia Free Trade Zone aligns with the Ministry of Economy’s efforts to boost economic development in the Patagonian region. With a strategic location and robust infrastructure, the free trade zone is poised to attract national and international investments to diversify the local economy. Improvements in logistics and storage will benefit sectors such as metal mechanics, food processing, and fishing, among others.
Including Trelew in the expansion plan reinforces the idea of economic decentralization within the Argentine province of Chubut. With its 165 hectares dedicated to industrialization, Trelew is emerging as a development hub that will complement Comodoro Rivadavia’s logistical operations. Moreover, the combination of port and airport facilities as key points for handling goods positions the region as a strategic center for Argentina’s foreign trade.
Resolution 1363/2024 marks a significant step in strengthening Patagonia’s logistical infrastructure. Its focus on cost reduction, process optimization, and investment attraction places the Comodoro Rivadavia Free Trade Zone at the core of the country’s commercial strategy. In a competitive global context, these measures bolster Argentina’s position as a key player in international trade while offering sustainable growth opportunities for the Patagonian region.
Summary
The Comodoro Rivadavia Free Trade Zone expansion, formalized through Resolution 1363/2024 by Argentina’s Ministry of Economy, is set to strengthen Patagonia’s foreign trade and economic development. The expansion adds five hectares at Comodoro Rivadavia’s port, new facilities at General Mosconi International Airport, and 165 hectares in Trelew. This strategic move enhances the region’s logistical infrastructure, reducing costs and improving efficiency for key industries, including metal mechanics, food processing, fishing, and hydrocarbons. Additionally, it reinforces the zone’s pivotal role in the Bioceanic Corridor, linking Comodoro Rivadavia with Puerto Chacabuco in Chile to bolster Atlantic-Pacific trade. The inclusion of Trelew as a development hub underscores economic decentralization within Chubut province, focusing on industrialization to complement logistical operations in Comodoro Rivadavia. The free trade zone promotes innovation and technology, encouraging research and sustainable development investment. With fiscal and logistical advantages, such as duty exemptions and a flexible business environment, the Comodoro Rivadavia Free Trade Zone positions itself as a competitive national and international trade center. It aims to attract investments, optimize processes, and drive economic diversification in Patagonia by integrating port, airport, and industrial facilities. This development underscores Argentina’s commitment to strengthening its foreign trade framework while offering significant growth opportunities for the region.