Events
Ambassador Wayne in Cordoba
November 27, 2007
Ambassador Wayne visited the city of Cordoba November 27 where he met both with outgoing and incoming Governors, José Manuel de la Sota and Juan Schiaretti respectively. Also, the Ambassador was a guest speaker at a seminar on the services sector, visited a hi-tech center at Cordoba’s National Technological University (UTN) sponsored by Intel, and talked with representatives of Junior Achievement.
“Especially striking has been the dramatic growth in Argentina's IT sector and Cordoba’s in particular. It is gratifying to see that many U.S. companies are working hand-in-hand with Cordoba’s public sector in mobilizing Argentine human capital in the services sector.” – said the Ambassador.
Invited by AmCham to open the seminar, “Service Exports as a Source of Economic Development,” the Ambassador highlighted the increase in world services trade and the need to facilitate further openings at current multilateral negotiations.
“A broad range of studies show tremendous potential gains from a further opening of global trade in services. It is very important to achieve an ambitious service sector opening in the current Doha Development Round. Argentina and the United States stand to benefit from freer global markets in services,” – said the Ambassador.
Following the seminar, the Ambassador met with Governor De la Sota and Governor-elect Schiaretti and talked about the latest developments in Cordoba and the province’s potential to become a platform for world-class IT development, due to its global competitiveness in human capital. Governor De la Sota told the Ambassador about the grants program “500 x 500” through which 500 of the best students in fields such as computers and technology receive 500 pesos per month to cover their university studies.
“I told them about my desire to maintain a strong business climate that will open the door to more investment in the province, mainly strengthening joint efforts in education and training between the public and private sectors,” – added the Ambassador and also said “I told them how impressed U.S. companies are with the quality of Argentine and Cordoba’s human capital, in particular, as well as with the support provided by the provincial government.”
The Ambassador also called on Cordoba’s National Technological University (UTN) where he met with Dean Héctor Aiassa and visited two rooms with state-of-the-art Wi-Fi computers and technology donated by Intel for university students to carry out hardware and software research projects. Mr. Aiassa told the Ambassador that Cordoba’s university venue trains 200 information systems professionals yearly. The dean also underscored the importance of educational exchanges for students´ education as a whole. “It was really a great pleasure for me to talk with students participating in the informatics lab. Their enthusiasm for research and technological development is contagious,” – said the Ambassador.
“Initiatives such as Intel’s with Cordoba’s Technological University result in present and future benefits for the community as a whole,” — said the Ambassador.
Finally, Ambassador Wayne met with representatives of Junior Achievement Córdoba where Director-General Leonardo Martellotto described the work being carried out by more than 900 volunteers to help encourage an entrepreneurial spirit among young people in the province. During the course of the year, Junior Achievement volunteers gave 9,000 class hours in 230 schools, reaching out with their message to 2,000 youngsters.