The governor of Santa Fe, Maximiliano Pullaro, signed an agreement in Neuquén province with his counterpart Rolando Figueroa to boost the development of suppliers linked to oil and gas in Vaca Muerta. Governor Pullaro stated that Argentina's growth will depend on its capacity to produce, generate employment, and strengthen industrial development. "There is only one path: Argentina will move forward only if it produces more, achieves economic growth, and generates jobs," said the Santa Fe governor during an event at the Neuquén Economic Development Agency. He emphasized that coordination between provinces will be key to leveraging Vaca Muerta's potential. In turn, Neuquén's governor, Rolando Figueroa, highlighted that the collaboration between provinces and the private sector will enable the country's economic development. "The important thing is to see how we can boost part of that production by working with Neuquén-based companies associated with Santa Fe-based companies," he added. Currently, around 350 Santa Fe-based firms are already involved in activities related to the energy sector, but the potential is much greater. "This is what ultimately builds a different Argentina: when political actors partner with the private sector to boost the development of each province," stated Pullaro. The agreement signed by the two provinces provides for joint actions to strengthen the development of suppliers, promote technical training, and facilitate technology exchange, aiming to integrate Santa Fe companies into the energy ecosystem expanding around Vaca Muerta. Pullaro highlighted the industrial identity of the Santa Fe business fabric, characterized by small and medium-sized family-owned companies that have grown through technological innovation and productive investment. "We can have more than a thousand companies working alongside Neuquén-based companies. These are companies that do not forget where they come from and continue to invest and generate jobs in their communities," he noted. In this sense, he stated that Santa Fe seeks to integrate into the country's energy growth without abandoning its agribusiness base. The Santa Fe delegation will continue its agenda with business linkage activities between firms from both provinces and a visit to the Loma Campana field, operated by YPF, one of Vaca Muerta's main developments.
