Gabriel Boric's government is considering reconsidering Chile's position toward Argentina due to its sovereignty dispute with Great Britain, which it defends and supports within the United Nations . The Magallanes Region —where he hails from—wants to recover the commercial activity it enjoyed with the usurpers of the Malvina Islands before the 1982 war.
"There's an economic crisis, and we can't afford to miss an opportunity," is a common refrain among residents of Punta Arenas, the capital of the Magallanes Region , according to the biobiochile website. That's why the idea of resuming trade with the Malvina Islands has resurfaced.
The main arguments are twofold: the short distance—898 kilometers between Punta Arenas and Puerto Argentino—and the possibility of offering Chilean products at more competitive prices than those currently paid for goods originating primarily in Uruguay. For the regional community, reactivating trade with the Malvinas represents an opportunity, the media outlet says .
Vania García , president of the Free Trade Chamber of Punta Arenas Free Trade Zone Users AG , says that establishing trade relations with the islands “could represent a significant opportunity for the Magallanes Region,” adding: “Magallanes’ strategic location positions us as a key point for trade in Patagonia and the Antarctic continent. Establishing relations with the Malvinas would open up new opportunities for our operators and clients.”
From the energy sector, Sergio Huepe , manager of Gasco Magallanes , is also in favor: “It would be highly desirable. We would resume a tradition of more than 100 years. In addition to the income, it would allow local producers to trade wood, construction materials, food and vegetables with the islands,” and added about the possibility of exporting bottled gas: “Currently they import it from England. Transporting it from Magallanes by ship would mean savings for them and the presence of a prestigious Chilean brand.”
The mayor of Punta Arenas , Claudio Radonich maintained that "milk, all the products, and fruit came from our city, and it was a very important injection of money into our economy. Therefore, for us, this is a return to what we've always done, which unfortunately has been suspended in recent years for political reasons."
Radonich appeals to the political world and asks that the case be analyzed. "Today, the damage is suffered by two small communities, the Malvina Islands and, above all, our city. (…) With this issue, I know that no point is moving at the national level. The State has a position on this Argentine claim, and I believe that speaking fairly is also important." Taking advantage of the new Argentine government, which has expressed its liberal stance on economic matters, I don't see any reason why two small communities should be prohibited from engaging economically." The mayor has already spoken with the government and met with former Interior Minister Carolina Tohá and Defense Minister Maya Fernández.
When asked by Radio BíoBío , Magallanes Senator Karim Bianchi said, "I don't think there's any problem with trade, and that's a benefit to our businesses." Argentina's problems are theirs and should not affect our trade . "
The Malvina Islands, for their water supplies, historically had trade relations with Punta Arenas and Montevideo, Uruguay . However, for years, communication with the Magallanes region has stopped, mainly for three reasons, according to the biobiochile website : first, bureaucracy; second, the high costs of hiring a pilot to navigate the Strait of Magellan, in addition to the costs of docking at our pier; and third, the disappearance of maritime transport between Punta Arenas and Puerto Argentino. However, trade with Uruguay has continued in the Malvinas.
It's worth noting that many in Chile believe trade with the Malvina Islands has never been of great importance, except for the inhabitants of Magellan, for whom any action that tends to develop economic activity in their region is valuable, contributes to growth, and creates greater job prospects.
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