Julio Ernesto Gutiérrez Conte, President of Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, does not loose his cool. Not even when he is asked about his
relationship with the Kirchner couple. “When the rumors say that certain executives are very close to the power, the next question one would typically ask is why. In my case, it means the opportunity to share my thoughts and my viewpoints with them so that their Administration may make a decision,” he says.
How do you see the local economy?
There are four or five critical factors that need to be taken into consideration. They are the exchange rate, production level, indebtedness, and trade balance. They all indicate we are moving in the right direction.
Do you agree on taking part of the reserves to pay off debts?
We come from an Argentina that has resorted to a number of recipes. If the recipe now is to have Argentina honor its obligations through internal credit and the generation of a quasi-fiscal deficit, I would be concerned. However, this is not the course of action adopted. I believe it is moving in the right direction. It gives predictability to the country.
What would you answer to those that call you a “K” businessman?
I do not consider myself an “-ist” man. I have been called “Delarruist, Duhaldist, and Menemist.”
That is correct, but now your name is associated with Kirchner and you are known as a “Kirchenist” executive.
The name appears because under certain circumstances, the private sector has the responsibility of being near the power.
Why is this so?
One cannot keep aloof from the decisions made in the country.
In a typical outskirt or neighborhood, you would be a brown nose…
I really do not know what the meaning of “brown nose” is. Yet, in any case, it has nothing to do with this. This is something deeper. It is associated with not being a mere player in the economy or in the situation of your country. Instead, when you have a prevailing role in the business world, there are other responsibilities that go beyond your own. I could well be at home, without getting involved, as I have every aspect of my life virtually solved. Yet, I prefer to get involved.
It is known you have a good
relationship with Néstor Kirchner.
He points to several pictures he has on his desk where he appears with a number of presidents and global leaders. Then he says, “My
relationship with Lula or with [Bill] Clinton is much better than the one I have with Kirchner. This does not mean I am “Clintonist or Lulist.” I had the chance of reaching a very high business level. Consequently, I can help in the reformulation of ideas or exchange ideas. That is all.
Are you interested in the media world?
I would like to live in a country where business executives do focus on managing their companies, journalists and reporters or the media executives just limit themselves to manage media companies, and politicians simply devote to politics. When everyone can have media companies and are trying to be Berlusconi, something is not working well.
How is the partnership between the State and AA2000?
The State owns a share in preferential stock [economic]. These shares do not have a right to vote even though they could be eventually converted and get a right to vote.
However, the State has appointed its own directors and trustees.
Yes, it has a right to vote.
How many securities are you going to issue?
Approximately 30 per cent. However, I cannot give you the number of phases the process will have.
What would happen if Anses buys all the securities?
The State can buy them to recover its equity share. It is not important for us who may finally buy them. The important thing is that it is a different financing source. It is a capitalization source.
Nevertheless, having such equity share concentrated in one single owner is not the same.
I do not believe that having concentrated capital could be a problem
