Industry in Argentina and Brazil at the beginning of the 21st century: challenges and perspectives

JUAN EDUARDO SANTARCANGELO; PAUL COONEY

cordoba

Jornada; IV Jornadas de Economía Crítica ?Dilemas de la acción y del pensamiento crítico latinoamericano"; 2011

JEC, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC)

During the first decade of the 21st century, Argentina and Brazil, the two main countries of the South American region, have experienced improved economic growth. In the case of Argentina, the annual growth rates of GDP were roughly 8% between 2003 and 2010 and the industrial sector returned to playing a more central role in facilitating the dynamism of the current growth path. In the case of Brazil, although GDP growth rates were not as high as those registered by its southern neighbor, the industrial sector experienced certain changes which allowed it to consolidate some achievements during Lula?s government. In this context, the aim of this paper is to analyze the main characteristics of the evolution of the industrial sector in each of these countries. Thus, we will identify the most dynamic branches, the impacts that the economic policies applied by Lula, Kirchner y Fernández de Kirchner have had on industry, and the similarities and differences between the two countries. In addition, we will examine the evolution of the articulation and integration between the industries of both countries. Finally, we end the paper by considering the main challenges and perspectives that both countries face regarding the development of their industrial sectors in the coming years.