Argentina's Railway Privatization Aims to Boost Exports Amid Infrastructure Challenges
Argentina is planning to privatize and modernize its aging railway network to enhance its grain and mining exports. The initiative, led by President Javier Milei, targets the Belgrano Cargas network, which operates the country's largest freight train lines. The network currently transports about 7.5 million tons of cargo annually, primarily agricultural products. However, the infrastructure is outdated, leading to slow travel speeds and frequent derailments. The government plans to tender an additional 11,000 kilometers of currently unused lines. The modernization is expected to reduce freight costs significantly, benefiting the agricultural and mining sectors. The project is part of a broader strategy to increase Argentina's annual exports by $100 billion over seven years. 
