ECLAC supports the strengthening of the capacities of Argentine provinces in new areas

In response to the interest expressed by the Government of Santiago del Estero, the ECLAC national office in Argentina carried out technical assistance jointly with the Secretariat of Science and Technology of the province to carry out a diagnosis of the ecosystem of the economy of the knowledge in the province and continue promoting the development of the sector.

The study included a mapping of key actors through field work on the ground, which involved interviews with representatives of the private sector, the science and technology system, and provincial officials. This analysis allowed us to evaluate the existing capacities and the articulation between the various actors within the framework of the policies promoted by the provincial government.

The result showed a network that, although it still does not reach the volume of larger provinces such as Buenos Aires or Santa Fe, stands out for its high density of ties and its great growth potential. The presence of universities and technical schools that have trained engineers and programmers for decades, added to the strong coordination between public organizations, private associations, the academic and research field, constitute a solid basis for the development of the sector.

According to the study, the provincial public sector also plays a crucial role through the support of various entities and programs, framed in a provincial knowledge economy law. The analysis identifies opportunities for growth and emphasizes the importance of strengthening institutional links between the public sector, the private sector, and science and technology organizations. Among the proposed strategies, the improvement in the articulation of demand, continuing to promote associativity between actors and increasing the competitiveness of local companies stand out.

ECLAC presented the results in a seminar that was attended by Governor Gerardo Zamora, his cabinet ministers, the secretary of science and technology, and all relevant actors in the ecosystem. These findings were reflected in a recent publication titled The knowledge economy sector in Santiago del Estero (Argentina): potentialities and challenges and will be incorporated as input for the province’s Strategic Plan for Science, Innovation and Technology, thus strengthening the foundations for sustainable and high-quality development.

Observatory of Gender Equality in the Productive Sector of Tucumán

ECLAC, in response to the demand of the Institute for Productive Development (IDEP) of Tucumán, supported the development of the Gender Equality and Employment Observatory (OIGE), an unprecedented initiative in the province.

This Observatory seeks to address gender gaps in the productive sector through a comprehensive analysis that considers economic, physical and political factors. It is inspired by the ECLAC definition of autonomy: the ability of people to make free and informed decisions about their lives in an environment that makes it possible.

In October 2024, the OIGE was presented in an event coordinated by the IDEP that was attended by figures from the local business community, as well as specialists from ECLAC in Argentina.

One of the most notable milestones of the OIGE will be the implementation of a pioneering survey among Tucumán companies. This instrument will make it possible to collect disaggregated data on gender inequalities at the sectoral and territorial level. In addition, it will identify ongoing business strategies to guarantee gender equality, setting a precedent at the national level.

On the other hand, a preliminary analysis of gender gaps in the province was presented, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities identified. These inputs are essential to design policies that promote equity in the labor market and in the productive sector.

These studies are part of the technical collaboration work carried out by ECLAC in Argentina together with subnational governments, among which we can mention the recent estimate of the Input Product Matrix for the Province of Entre Ríos, of interest for the evaluation of policies. and a better understanding of the provincial productive network.