High-level Argentinean delegation leaves for China to attend G20 summit

BUENOS AIRES - Argentine President Mauricio Macri headed a high-level delegation and departed for China on Thursday to attend the G20 Summit to be held on Sept 4-5 in the city of Hangzhou, according to an official statement released Thursday.

The team, which also includes Argentina's Minister of Economy and Finance Alfonso Prat-Gay, Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra and Deputy Minister of Public Finance Pedro Lacoste, intends to show that Argentina is open for business from foreign investors.

On Sept 5, Macri will give his first speech to the summit. The same day, both finance officials will attend the 3rd plenary session on promoting international and trade and investment, during which Macri will make his second address.

The statement added that Argentina "is taking a new step in its goal to tighten bonds with the world, integrate diplomatic relations and international finance, and establish a common agenda in order to resolve the main problems facing the world."

Another statement by the Foreign Ministry issued on Thursday added that Argentina is paying "great importance" to the Summit, as part "of its strategy of international insertion."

Among the topics Argentina will discuss at the summit are "sustainable development, the strength of trade and investment, the problem of climate change and innovation in science and technology, among others."

In line with these goals, Macri will table a series of questions relevant to Argentina, "including the role of agriculture as critical sector to reach development targets, strengthen the global trading system, with the WTO (World Trade Organization) at its core, promote advances in the Doha Round of talks, and affirm the importance of development as a vehicle for inclusive, sustained and equitable growth," said the statement.