The Association of Argentine Electronic Terminal Factories (AFARTE), through “Encendé Electrónica Argentina”, accompanied the signing of a collaboration agreement with the Secretariat of Industry, Commerce and SMEs of the Ministry of Economy, business entities and the main digital platforms in the country. The objective is to prevent and combat illicit trade and smuggling through electronic channels.

The signing represents progress in a process of institutional and sectoral articulation that AFARTE has been promoting for more than two years, with the purpose of promoting more transparent and equitable conditions for the commercialization of products in the Argentine market.

Among the main axes of the agreement is the monitoring and information sharing to identify irregular offers and inconsistencies in sensitive categories, such as technology and consumer electronics. It also contemplates the control of compliance with current quality, safety and information standards, with the aim of protecting consumer rights.

Another central point is the defense of the formal market and fair competition against illegal practices that affect companies that operate under current regulations. To advance these objectives, the agreement promotes cooperation between public organizations, business chambers, digital platforms and different actors in the marketing chain.

Within this framework, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs signed framework agreements with AFARTE and other business entities: the Argentine Chamber of Electronic Commerce (CACE), the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (CAC), the Chamber of Importers of the Argentine Republic (CIRA), the Association of United Supermarkets (ASU) and the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA). In addition, specific agreements were signed with Mercado Libre, Meta - for their Facebook and Instagram platforms -, Frávega and Cetrogar, with the aim of facilitating the exchange of information and detecting products entered into the country illegally that are offered through digital channels.

The impact of smuggling on the cell phone market

From AFARTE they indicated that one of every three cell phones sold in Argentina was neither legally imported nor manufactured in the country. The data reflects the dimension of irregular trade and its consequences on the national industry, tax collection and competition between the different market actors.

In this context, the entity highlighted the importance of the commitment assumed by the representatives of the Executive Branch, the electronic commerce platforms and the business sector being translated into concrete measures that contribute to reducing smuggling.

Finally, AFARTE ratified its commitment to continue working on sustained initiatives that promote commercial transparency, protect consumers and allow the State to recover resources from tax evasion. Likewise, he highlighted the need to guarantee clear and equal rules for all market participants.