On November 27, the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (CAC) hosted a new edition of Competition Day in its auditorium. The event was organized by ICC Argentina and focused on analyzing current trends and perspectives regarding economic competition in Argentina.
Marcelo Elizondo, president of ICC Argentina and director at CAC, opened the event. He said: “It is a great satisfaction to inaugurate the second edition of Competition Day, an initiative we are consolidating as a classic within our institutional agenda. For us, this is a special occasion to meet in a context of significant changes, especially with the creation of new instances that will strengthen the competition system.”
Elizondo highlighted the role of both institutions: “ICC, like CAC, works to promote free economies and markets with conditions that encourage competition and autonomy for economic agents. In this sense, we fully support the measures being carried out by Argentina. The country needs three fundamental pillars: macroeconomic order, a new regulatory environment, and international reintegration based on openness—these are precisely the banners defended by ICC,” he stated.
He added: “The policies being implemented regarding competition defense are moving in the right direction: creating a framework that favors competition, streamlines investment and production processes, and contributes to economic prosperity. We trust this will be a very fruitful activity for everyone.”
Natacha Gedwillo, president of ICC Argentina’s Economic Competition Commission, also spoke about the importance of the gathering: “When in 2023 we started thinking about this event, we imagined a space for reflection that would allow us to put competition on the business agenda. We firmly believe that competition is synonymous with freedom, and that freedom is what will allow us to create clear rules to open Argentina to the world.”
She also emphasized recent developments: “Today we are at a turning point; just days ago the new National Competition Authority was established—a true institutional milestone. That is why this day is so significant and relevant for all of us.”
The program included an interview with Eduardo Montamat, president of the National Competition Authority, conducted by Gedwillo. Montamat discussed both challenges and future projections for this new phase.
The first panel addressed financial innovation and banking regulation’s relationship with competition. Speakers included Lucía Quesada from Universidad de San Andrés; Evangelina González Soldo from Estudio Mitrani Caballero; Vincent Poirer Garneau from Apoyo Consultoría in Lima; and Marina Azzara from ICC Argentina’s Banking Commission and FCI Americas region. Carolina Abdelnabe moderated.
A second panel focused on legal teams’ challenges in defending competition within companies. Participants were Vanessa Facusse from BES Abogados (Chile), Fernanda Viecens (former member of Argentina’s National Commission for Defense of Competition), Federico Rossi (Allende y Brea), moderated by Federico Volujewicz (vice president of ICC Argentina’s Economic Competition Commission).
The third panel examined challenges related to ex-ante merger control in Argentina. Panelists were Ana Julia Parente (National Competition Authority), Marcelo Den Toom (Bomchil), Francisco Rondoletti (TCA Tanoira Cassagne), moderated by Santiago del Río (Marval O’Farrell Mairal).
Federico Volujewicz closed the event by thanking participants and highlighting teamwork between ICC Argentina and CAC for making it possible.
