25/06/2026 09:12 - Economia
On Wednesday, June 25, 2026, Argentina's Chamber of Deputies (the Lower House of Congress, equivalent to the House of Representatives in the US) granted preliminary approval to what's being called the "Super RIGI"—a special incentive regime designed to attract investments exceeding USD 1 billion in sectors considered strategic for the nation's future.
The vote proved tighter than anticipated: 130 votes in favor versus 106 against. The ruling coalition successfully built a legislative majority with support from center-right and provincial parties including PRO, UCR (Radical Civic Union), MID, Production and Labor (San Juan), La Neuquinidad, Independence (Tucumán), For Santa Cruz, and Federal Innovation (Misiones and Salta).
The regime targets frontier technologies and industries that currently don't exist in Argentina or are in early development stages:
| IN FAVOR | AGAINST |
|---|---|
| 130 votes | 106 votes |
| In favor: La Libertad Avanza (ruling party), PRO (center-right), UCR (traditional opposition), MID, Production and Labor (San Juan), La Neuquinidad (Neuquén province), Independence (Tucumán), For Santa Cruz, Federal Innovation. | |
| Against: Unión por la Patria (Peronist opposition), Left Front, Civic Coalition, United Provinces, monoblocs of Pagano and de la Sota. | |
| Abstention: I Choose Catamarca | |
The regime guarantees three decades of stability in tax, customs, social security, and foreign exchange regulations. It also establishes a maximum cap of 0.5% for Gross Income Tax in participating provinces and prohibits municipal taxes on sales. This addresses a major concern for investors: Argentina's historically unstable regulatory framework.
To secure allied parties' support, the ruling coalition made key concessions:
Investments in research and development linked to the project count at double their value toward meeting the minimum investment requirement—up to 20% of the total. This encourages innovation alongside production.
Projects must present a local supplier development plan, committing at least 20% of total procurement to domestic goods and services. This aims to prevent enclave economies.
Sustainability Report: Projects must demonstrate they won't compromise local natural resources or infrastructure, with environmental and social impact assessments.
Bertie Benegas Lynch (Budget Committee Chair, ruling party):
"These are fiscal, exchange, customs incentives and security for future industries. Capital has no homeland—we compete with other markets, and capital goes where there's legal certainty."
Victoria Tolosa Paz (Unión por la Patria, opposition):
"Argentina needs investments, but nobody is asking for this much. What we don't need is to give away sovereignty, resign development, and turn our provinces into extraction territories."
Martín Lousteau (UCR, traditional opposition party):
"These initiatives seek to separate the most unbridled capital from any type of control. The contrast: pensions going down, no money for disability support, teachers, Garrahan children's hospital, universities, hospitals, roads."
The bill received preliminary approval (media sanción) and now moves to the Senate for final passage. To become law, it needs approval from the upper chamber. This regime complements the original RIGI approved in June 2024 as part of the Bases Law, but specifically targets larger investments and advanced technology sectors—sectors where Argentina aims to become a regional leader.
RIGI stands for "Régimen de Incentivos para Grandes Inversiones" (Large Investment Incentive Regime). It's Argentina's attempt to compete with countries like Chile, Brazil, and Mexico for major international investments. The USD 1 billion threshold targets only the largest projects—typical in mining, energy, and technology infrastructure.
The 30-year stability clause is crucial: Argentina has a history of changing rules mid-investment, which has scared away foreign capital. This guarantee aims to restore confidence.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
