What's New in Argentina?

Tenders

Argentina Launches International Tender for AySA Privatization

On May 15, 2026, the Ministry of Economy published Resolution No. 704/2026, authorizing a national and international multi-stage public tender for the sale of 90% of the share capital of Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A. (“AySA”) currently held by the Argentine State to a strategic operator. AySA provides water and sewage services in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.

The process follows the declaration of AySA as subject to privatization under Law No. 27,742 and Decree No. 494/2025, which authorized the full privatization of the company through the sale of the State-owned shares. The remaining 10% of AySA’s share capital is held by employees under the employee ownership program.

The tender will be conducted through the CONTRATAR platform. Interested parties may submit questions on the bidding documents until August 12, 2026. Offers must be submitted by 9:59 a.m. on August 27, 2026. Stage No. 1 is scheduled to open immediately afterward, at 10:00 a.m. on the same date.

Update on the Intercargo S.A.U. Privatization Tender: Ministry of Economy Modifies Bidding Rules

On May 19, 2026, through Resolution No. 707/2026, the Ministry of Economy approved the incorporation of Circular No. 2 (the “Circular”) to the bidding rules corresponding to the Public Tender for the total privatization and sale of 100% of the share package of Intercargo S.A.U., currently held by the National State. Intercargo S.A.U. provides ground handling and passenger transportation services at the main airports of the Argentine Republic.

The Circular establishes new deadlines for the consultation period, now extended until June 2, 2026, and broadens the access to the Data Room up to three business days prior to the opening of Stage No. 1. Furthermore, it establishes the logistical protocol for technical site visits at Aeroparque and Ezeiza airports, reorganizes the submission procedure for physical bid guarantees, and allows foreign companies to participate under the commitment of incorporating a local entity only upon being awarded the contract.

The tender remains open for the submission of bids. Interested parties may submit questions on the bidding documents until June 2, 2026 and offers must be submitted through the CONTRATAR platform until June 10, 2026, at 09:30 a.m. The official opening of Stage No. 1 will take place automatically on the same platform on June 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Governmental News

Argentina Plans “Super RIGI” to Promote New Strategic Industries

On May 8, 2026, Economy Minister Luis Caputo provided details on the Government’s proposed “Super RIGI”, a new incentive regime aimed at attracting large-scale investments into sectors that are not yet significantly developed in Argentina. Unlike the existing RIGI, which has mainly targeted traditional sectors such as hydrocarbons and mining, the new framework would seek to promote industrialization and value-added processing linked to Argentina’s natural resources.

The sectors mentioned by the Government include copper refining and rolling, lithium batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. The Minister also referred to potential incentives for data centers and projects connected to agribusiness, fishing and agroforestry, reflecting a broader policy objective to develop new export-oriented value chains.

According to Caputo, the main difference with the current RIGI would be the scope of tax benefits. The proposed regime would reduce the corporate income tax rate from 25% to 15% for eligible companies and allow accelerated depreciation, with 60% of the investment deductible in the first year, 20% in the second year and the remaining 20% in the third year. The proposal would also include import duty exemptions for inputs and goods connected to the production of eligible products.

US Backs Financing for Critical Minerals in Argentina

On April 30, 2026, AmCham Argentina and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce signed a joint declaration to advance cooperation in the critical minerals sector, building on a bilateral agreement signed earlier this year.

The U.S. government announced the mobilization of up to US$ 100 billion in federal funds to accelerate financing for allied supply chains. U.S. Chamber representatives highlighted Argentina as a key ally that should receive preferential treatment when accessing these credit lines.

The partnership focuses on a public-private model to boost project financing, infrastructure development, tech transfer, and local value-added processing, particularly for lithium and copper.

Argentine officials underscored that recent regulatory reforms, such as the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (Régimen de Incentivos a las Grandes Inversiones) and amendments to the Glaciers Act (both further developed in previous versions of What's New in Argentina), will be instrumental in materializing these investments, projecting up to USD 60 billion in energy and mining exports over the next five years.

Joint Regulation for the Incentive Regime for Medium Investments (RIMI)

On May 19, 2026, through Joint General Resolution No. 5849/2026 (the “Resolution”), Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero ("ARCA") -Argentine tax authority-, alongside the Secretariat of Energy and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, approved the regulatory framework for the “Incentive Regime for Medium Investments” (RIMI), which was addressed in the latest edition of our What’s New in Argentina.

The new Resolution mandates that the registration, benefit selection, and overall management of the regime will be fully handled through the “Investment Management System” (“SGI”), an online platform deployed on ARCA's website. Eligible beneficiaries include Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises with a valid MiPyME certificate, as well as specific non-profit entities—such as associations, foundations, and mutuals—that meet structural PyME parameters and register under specialized system classifications.

The Resolution also states that assets exempted from minimum thresholds will be defined by the Secretariats of Energy and Agriculture and published on ARCA's website. Projects not included in this list must present a certified professional report for evaluation. Furthermore, to verify work progress levels below 30%, beneficiaries must upload supporting documentation directly through the online SGI platform.