In November 2003, the Department of Industry at the Ministry of Economy and Production launched the “Competitiveness Forum” program. Nine productive sectors were selected, and the principal actors in each sector were summoned to help improve each area’s ability to compete on its respective market.

In December, the “Competitiveness Forum for Software and IT Services” began. The selection of this sector was proof of the potential of the IT industry, as well as the need to define public policies to foster its development.

The general criterion involved summoning all of the actors involved in this sector, including representatives from the national government, private sector, and academia. In addition, Regional Forums began in the cities of Rosario, Córdoba, Neuquén, Bahía Blanca, Tandil and Jujuy (in the northwest). The headquarters of these forums are poles or clusters of sector companies, as well as universities that have well-developed IT schools. Other forums are about to begin in Mendoza, Salta, the Patagonia (Santa Cruz) and the city of Santa Fe.

The greatest challenge will consist in making the leaders of Argentina understand the need for solid government policies in the software and IT sector. By using the strategic plan and the law to promote the industry, it will be possible to present this sector as a strategic option for society as a whole. The recently-passed law for the promotion of the software industry and the government’s presentation of the Action Plan 2004-2007 are a major step towards achieving these goals.