BA Global Council: Mayor Rodríguez Larreta convenes BA Global Council to discuss the city's international projection

Thursday 05 November 2020

Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, met today with the BA Global Council, a group of over 30 leading figures from the private sector, the world of culture, creativity and talent, who work together with the city to position it internationally.

The Mayor of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, met today with the BA Global Council, a group of more than 30 leading figures from the private sector, the world of culture, creativity and talent, who work together with the city to better position it internationally. During the meeting they discussed the new guidelines for the city post-pandemic international projection strategy.

"The international positioning of certain strategic sectors is key to attracting investment flows and increasing our exports. Working with all the members of this Council along this path is key for us. Each of you represents the dynamic and highly competitive sectors of our city: the knowledge-based and creative based industries, the services industry and higher education. Repositioning Buenos Aires in the world needs to be everyone's effort", said Rodríguez Larreta.

Once the pandemic is overcome, Buenos Aires aims to position itself as a sustainable, safe and diverse global capital; one that promotes talent and creativity, offers the best quality of life, and is a great destination to live, visit, study and do business in.

"Buenos Aires is a powerhouse of extraordinary talent, with a historic track record in the world of content and audiovisual development. What it needs today is very clear: to bridge gaps and bring international players closer together here, a scenario where the pandemic -surprisingly- has generated an increase in opportunities", said Axel Kuschevatzky, journalist, screenwriter and film producer.

During the meeting, the members of the Council discussed the competitiveness of the city as we move to the new normal, and looks at the city's new programme to attract remote workers -also known as "digital nomads". This particular initiative seeks to attract professionals who work remotely from anywhere in the world -and who tend to stay in any given destination for a considerable amount of time- and to position Buenos Aires as the best urban destination in Latin America to live and work.

"Our international projection strategy is essential to reactivating the "visitor's economy" through the gradual arrival of tourists, students and digital nomads. Our joint work with BA Global Council is key to enhancing the global comparative advantages our city has", said Fernando Straface, Secretary General and Secretary for International Relations of the city of Buenos Aires.

In this regard, last week Buenos Aires received the "Safe travels" stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which certifies internationally tourist destinations that comply with health and hygiene protocols. As a result, a gradual opening of international tourism was announced together with the federal government, starting with Argentina's neighbouring countries -the ones that currently send the most tourists to the country.

Regarding the new guidelines for the city's international projection strategy, Julia Pomares, executive director of CIPPEC, said: "Moments of crisis trigger the need to reinvent ourselves, to define and find a new place. Countries, cities, political parties and everyday people are in search of new narratives in a looming world, of which we yet know little".