BARILOCHE.– The secrecy is total. The Llao Llao hotel was filled with security men, dressed in black from head to toe, who prevented access to certain sectors of the place, if they are not invited to the exclusive forum that takes place in this city. “Are you a journalist? “You can’t be here.”they say, when someone from outside approaches the hotel lobby or bar.
To identify authorized people and those not welcome, the organization distributed colored plastic bracelets. The light blue ones are for businessmen, while the fuchsia ones are for the media. This way, there are no mistakes and no one can sneak into the closed-door talks.
At the entrance to Llao Llao there is also strict control to enter. Habitually, Anyone can have tea with sweets in the winter garden (winter garden), even if you are not staying at the hotel. It is one of the tourist attractions of Bariloche. This year, however, the forum organization made the decision to close access during the three days that the event lasts.
Only guests who reserved accommodation months in advance have free access to enter, although they must avoid the main hall during the afternoon, when the businessmen’s activities take place. That’s why, At times conversations in English from tourists can be heard in the hallway.who should not imagine that they share the breakfast room with some of the most influential business leaders in Argentina.
When the forum date was confirmed Llao LlaoJust a few weeks ago, the accommodation process was also restricted. The rooms that each businessman pays for cost from US$280, the cheapest, to US$2100, the most expensivein the modern wing of the hotel, which is where the president will sleep Javier Miley.
The president avoided using the traditional presidential room, which costs US$1800 the night. At last year’s forum, during the presidential campaign, that room was used by Patricia Bullrich one night and the other Horacio Rodríguez Larreta. Milei was not yet a feasible option for the business community.
In fact, the President will have revenge this year before the select audience of company owners, after his tense passage in the last edition, when he insisted on explaining the dollarization process and citing philosophers from the last century. “It is impossible for your exhibition this year not to be better than the last one. “He had been very bad, he didn’t have a guide.”, said a businessman in reserve. Milei will close the forum today at noon.
Among the 150 guests are Eduardo Elsztain (IRSA), Marcos Galperin (Free market), Martin Migoya y Guibert Englebienne (Globe), Carlos Miguens (San Miguel), Andrea Pagani (Bow), Veronica Andreani (Andreani), Martin Eurnekian (Airports Argentina 2000), Alberto Arizu (Luigi Bosca) y Sebastian of Montalembert (Peñaflor Group). To listen to the President, today they would join Marcos BulgheroniCEO of Pan American Energy (PAE), y Gonzalo Tanoirapresident of San Miguel.
At this meeting, the business owners will ask about the exit from the stocks, the conversations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)the judge’s nomination Ariel Lijo to the Supreme Court, the situation of Argentina in the face of international conflicts and the probability of approval of the Base Law projects and the fiscal package.
They will also talk to you about the recommendations that the Chilean businessman made to them. Bernardo Larrain so that Argentina grows at the pace of its neighboring country. “Chile started with the first generation reform, which is basically fiscal responsibility. That is 100% anchored in the Chilean institutional system. The budget is made with long-term copper prices: when copper is very high, we have a lot of exports and tax collection, and that is saved. The other basic rule is openness to the economy. Chile signed 64 free trade agreements. Practically, We have zero tariffs with all countries. That openness was fundamental and it is not easy to understand it today, but Chile did that work a long time ago, in the 80s and 90s,” Larraín, owner of 90,000 hectares of forest in the province of Corrientes, told them.
Argentine businessmen listened with admiration and envy, but they felt that scenario was distant for the country. “In Argentina there are many businessmen who benefit from protectionism and Milei said that trade liberalization was a second-generation reform.”they told the Chilean businessman.
The Uruguayan president, Luis Lacalle Pou, had admitted the night before that during his administration he also had problems reaching commercial agreements. Uruguay is part of Mercosur, along with Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
The night with the Uruguayan president had begun with a relaxed activity: business leaders competed in a contest to make the tastiest gin and tonic. The organization provided a variety of spices, plants, juices and gin labels, while the event host, Ivan de Pinedaexplained the history of the drink and promised that the winner would be chosen as the Llao Llao hotel’s special drink of the year.
The forum also had moments of reflection, as communicated on the agenda. Despite the rain and wind that prevailed on the second day, a group of businessmen went for a walk through the Patagonian environment, while another preferred to take a break and go to the heated pool or the gym. Then they met to “share reflections.”
Of all the activities, however, the one that generated the most impact was that of the music producer Federico Lauriafounder of the label Dale Play Recordswhich is behind renowned urban and trap music artists, such as Duki, Nicki Nicole y Bzrp. Lauria managed to get all the businessmen to clap along to the rhythm of the song that Bzrp released with Quevedo. “It was very inspiring. She talked about generation Z, those in their twenties. They are the future employees. It was the best so far,” said a businessman in reserve.
This noon Milei, who traveled in the company of the Secretary General of the Presidency, will have his opportunity. Karina Mileiand the Secretary of State, Manuel Adorni.