The Consejo Federal de Inversiones (CFI) is Argentina’s premier intergovernmental agency focused on promoting regional development, export diversification, and investment attraction across all 23 provinces and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires. Established in 1959, CFI serves as a strategic platform to strengthen federal economic policy coordination, while also facilitating international market access for Argentine companies. The Argentina Pavilion, operated under the CFI framework, serves as a global showcase for Argentina’s regional products, culture, and investment opportunities.
Core Business
CFI functions as a multi-disciplinary agency that bridges Argentina’s provinces with national and international markets. Its operations span:
- Economic promotion through trade fairs, expos, and investment forums
- Financial and technical assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Policy advisory and capacity-building initiatives for regional governments
- Infrastructure co-financing and development planning
The agency plays a pivotal role in managing and curating the Argentina Pavilion at major global trade shows, positioning regional producers and startups for international exposure.
Product and Service Offerings
CFI offers a comprehensive portfolio of services categorized into the following areas:
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International Relations and Export Promotion:
- Organization of Argentine Pavilions in global trade fairs
- B2B matchmaking and export missions
- Market intelligence and regulatory guidance for new exporters
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Productive Sector Development:
- Sector-specific support in agroindustry, tourism, creative economy, and renewable energy
- Technical assistance and logistics planning
- Modernization of regional supply chains
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Training and Capacity Building:
- Federal Training Program: Professional development courses for public and private sector participants
- Workshops in public administration, export logistics, and digital transformation
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Economic Intelligence and Data Services:
- Regional competitiveness studies
- Market and sectoral reports to support decision-making
- Open-access economic dashboards and forecasts
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Financing Programs:
- Low-interest credit lines for SMEs and cooperatives
- Co-financing for strategic infrastructure and innovation projects
- Loans for provincial investment and productive projects
Specialization and USP
CFI’s unique strength lies in its federal structure, enabling it to serve the needs of all Argentine provinces equitably. Its approach ensures:
- Equal participation of all regions in international promotion
- Access to finance and technical expertise at local levels
- Tailored export support for artisanal, agro-industrial, and high-value sectors
The Argentina Pavilion, under CFI’s leadership, ensures regional brands gain visibility in international markets they typically cannot access independently.
Financials
CFI operates with a publicly managed fund structure, sourcing its capital from national government allocations and provincial contributions. Key figures include:
- Annual operating budget exceeding ARS 15 billion (approx. USD 40 million equivalent)
- Over ARS 5 billion in credit disbursed to SMEs annually
- 85% of funding directed to technical, productive, and financial support programs
Its financing mechanisms maintain high accountability through Argentina’s national audit systems and provincial oversight.
Shipment and Export Data
Through its export facilitation programs:
- CFI has supported 2,500+ Argentine companies in accessing international markets since 2019
- The Argentina Pavilion has featured regional products at major trade fairs including Anuga, SIAL, Gulfood, and Fruit Logistica
- Export volumes have increased by up to 35% for SMEs participating in CFI-facilitated international missions
- Key export sectors include wine, olive oil, nuts, dairy, software, and handicrafts
Target Market
CFI serves a broad range of stakeholders:
- Provincial Governments: Planning, infrastructure, and financing support
- SMEs and Entrepreneurs: Technical and financial aid, export facilitation
- Foreign Investors: Project pipelines across energy, agrobusiness, and logistics
- International Institutions: Cooperation in development, innovation, and sustainability
Capabilities
- Export Program Reach: Present in over 50 international expos annually
- Training Volume: Over 25,000 professionals trained through the Federal Training Program
- Digital Tools: Launch of CFI Data Observatory for real-time regional economic data
- Financial Services: Credit lines of up to ARS 100 million per enterprise with subsidized rates
- Pavilion Projects: 20+ countries reached annually via the Argentina Pavilion initiative
Certifications and Compliance
CFI adheres to national regulations for transparency, audit, and public resource management:
- SIGEN (Federal Government Audit Office) compliance
- Internal and external audits for all public disbursements
- Alignment with OECD export promotion best practices
- Partnerships with UNDP, IDB, and Mercosur agencies
Customer Testimonials
“With the support of CFI, we showcased our organic infusions at SIAL Paris. We now export to three new European countries.”
— SME Exporter, Catamarca Province
“The Argentina Pavilion allowed us to display our wines to global buyers. We signed two distribution deals in the Middle East.”
— Wine Cooperative, Mendoza
Major Achievements
- Hosted the Argentina Pavilion in over 60 international fairs since 2018
- Financed over 10,000 productive projects across all provinces
- Facilitated the internationalization of over 2,500 Argentine SMEs
- Developed over 100 regional development plans through its technical assistance wing
- Launched digital platforms to enhance transparency and data-driven decision-making
As a strategic driver of inclusive growth and internationalization, CFI ensures that Argentina’s regional economies, cultural identity, and entrepreneurial capacity are effectively represented on the global stage.
