The Industrial Federation of Santa Fe again confronted Economy Minister Luis Caputo after he disparaged economists and sector representatives concerned about Argentine industry. Fisfe issued a statement rejecting his remarks and called for a debate focused on development policy rather than insults. The provincial organisation did not announce a break with the national Government: it reaffirmed its willingness to maintain institutional dialogue under different conditions.
The response followed Caputo's presentation to market participants. He defended the Government's economic course and proposed reform of the Central Bank Charter, while challenging those who argue that growth in activities such as agriculture harms industry. The minister used an insulting term for people making that case and said industrial activity fell 10% between 2011 and 2023 despite subsidies during that period.
Fisfe did not answer with a historical argument over subsidies and instead concentrated on current production conditions. It cited a combination of declining activity, lost competitiveness, rising costs and uncertainty affecting investment and job retention. The federation said identifying these problems is part of the responsibility of sector representatives and that discrediting those voices does not resolve any of the difficulties listed.
The statement also defended industry's economic role. The organisation highlighted its contribution to quality employment, innovation, added value and stronger regional economies. From that perspective, demanding an industrial strategy does not mean denying agricultural growth; it means asking economic policy to consider links between activities and the effects of costs and competition on existing plants.
The federation demanded respect even where disagreements over national measures persist and proposed an exchange based on objective data and consensus-building. Its closing message contrasted insults with the need for policies promoting production, investment and work. The argument moves the controversy from Caputo's language to a concrete question: what development instruments the Government is prepared to discuss with industrial organisations.
Fisfe kept the institutional channel open and invited both public and private actors to participate. The next step depends on whether the Economy Ministry responds to the diagnosis and opens a forum on competitiveness, costs and investment, or whether the dispute remains verbal. For Santa Fe industry, dialogue will be measured not only by more moderate language but by the appearance of verifiable policies supporting activity and jobs.
