O setor petroquímico e a integração Argentina-Brasil

Abstract

The paper studies the problems of economic integration between Argentina and Brazil taking into account a particular sector: the petrochemical industry. This industry-which showed high levels of growth in both countries during the 1970s and 1980s and is an important input supplier for several industrial branches - shows some specific features: it requires minimum scales of production and is an intensive user of oil and/or gas. The paper concludes that in order to improve the area's comparative advantages in this sector it is necessary to carry out in the future joint projects taking into account the structural assimetries showed by both countries, such its the size of the Brazilian market and the gas endowment which is clearly favourable to Argentina.