Ivanka Trump’s visit to Jujuy ends with US financing deal for roads
Ivanka Trump met with female entrepreneurs in the northern province of Jujuy on Thursday, on the Argentine leg of her five-day tour of South America. She met with Jujuy Governor Gerardo Morales and Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie during her brief stop a, which lasted less than 24 hours.
The trip by US President Donald Trump’s daughter and special adviser was aimed at promoting a White House initiative for the economic empowerment of women, but it also came accompanied by the news that Washington had approved US$400 million in financing for improvements to Argentina’s road network.
OPIC, an agency of the US gover
nment tasked with helping US businesses invest in emerging markets, will bankroll around 430 miles of roads in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Cordoba and Mendoza, according to a statement from Argentina’s Transport Ministry.
A separate statement from the US government said the funding was “to rehabilitate and expand the Corredor C Toll Road, an essential trade route for Argentina’s economy,” as well as the construction of two bypasses.
While Trump’s visit to Argentina is another illustration of the improvement in bilateral relations under Macri, no-one from the US delegation travelled to Buenos Aires during the visit. Sources said the intention was to avoid the appearance of interference in the presidential election.
Ivanka drew the most attention, however, especially when she met local businesswomen. One student, Mayra Quinteros, selling chicken and soup on the street dreamt of having her own restaurant. The US president’s daughter also met with designer Etelvina Acevedo, owner of a small artisanal clothing shop.
It wasn’t all work, however. She also took an hour out to visit the tourist trail, stopping at sites close to Purmamarca.