City leaders envision over 100 tech-PYMEs and university research groups working in the AITR.

The beautiful City of Rosario will take another important step on its path toward economic diversification this year with the creation of the Rosario Industrial Technology Area, or AITR in Spanish. According to Agenciafe, the idea for the Tech District was conceived during the strategic planning phase of the Rosario Metropolitan Plan. That plan envisions no fewer than 100 small and medium-size business (PYMEs) clustered in the new Tech District.

Software, hardware, multimedia design, biotech and audiovisual production companies will all be courted with a combination of low interest loans and assorted tax incentives for relocation and expansion. The model has proven successful in other Argentine cities like Mendoza, San Luis and Buenos Aires where the GCBA has already attracted more than 70 companies to Parque Patricios with 130 tech-PYMEs anticipated by year-end 2011.

Sebastián Chale, Rosario’s Secretary of Production & Local Development, says the District “is an opportunity to give the city some excellent infrastructure, to promote economic development and create high-paying jobs.” He went on to describe the first phase of the project. “Those of us who have been working on this plan for the past seven months anticipate a budget of 10 million pesos (US$2.48 million) for an intelligent building that will house between 12 and 25 companies, roughly 150,000 square feet of high-tech companies, postgraduate classrooms and research centers tied to the universities.” (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about IT opportunities in Argentina, visit our archives and download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.