Overview

• Argentina opened bids last week for the first stage of the Mercosur road concessions, receiving seven offers for the Oriental and Conexión sections covering national routes 12, 14, 135, A-015, 117 and 174.
• Federico Sturzenegger acknowledged the government moved slower than planned in shifting national routes to private operators but said the process is now moving.
• He reaffirmed the policy of ending traditional public works, arguing past corruption under kirchnerismo requires private financing and execution of infrastructure.
• The minister said reducing the public workforce has saved about US$2 billion per year and signaled deeper spending cuts as part of what he calls a state reordering.
• He criticized opposition lawmakers for advancing measures that add spending without funding and highlighted Argentina’s alignment with the United States and Israel ahead of high-profile diplomacy.