The Washington herald., 1920-04-26
MARKET FIELD
IN ARGENTINA
Report Shows Demand for
Construction Materials
Keen.

There is a large field for the sale
Of American construction materials
in Argentina according to a report
made public by the Bureau Of For
eign and Domestic Commerce. De-
partment OF Commerce. and the in
Yestment OF American capital in
Argentine enterprises is an import
ant factor in securing contracts.
Buenos Aires is in great need of
rrst-class office buildings. Several
departments Of the government are
being crowded out OF their old quar-
ters Tor lack Of space, and the mod
, ern hotels and apartment houses Of
the American type are needed. With
the return Of normal conditions
many model houses for workingmen
will also be erected in the suburbs
OF Buenos Aires. Notices appear in
the newspapers OF the capital from
time to time inviting bids on vsri-
Gus public construction enterprises.
The time limit for these is usually
short. but If American firms were
represented in BueRos Aires. they
could secure many such contracts.
The National Council OF Education
has adopted a large building pro-
gram for public schools. The plans.
to be completed in the next few
years, call for an expenditure of
about $S.5Oo,0 600. The needs OF vari-
Gus cities in the province Of Buenos
Aires will call for the installation
of sewerage and water systems in
the near future at a total cost Of
about $2.30O.OOO.
The various provinces OF Argen-
tina have building programs indie
pendent Of those OF the central gov
ernment, says the report. but also
receive federal aid in the execution
of many public works. Definite
projects in which the central gov
eminent plans TO aid the provincial
governments in the immediate fu-
ture call for an expenditure Of So
100000 for sewerage and water sys-
TENS ALONE.
Argentina has always been an ex-
cellent market for iron and steel
products for construction purposes.
Formerly the imports Of cement
were considerable. but a large ce-
ment plant is now in operation
about zoo miles from Buenos Aires.
owned by American interests. Lime
of unsurpassed quality is found in
many parts of Argentina, and the
plaster of Paris is produced chiefly
in the country. Clay roofing tiles
and roofing slate. and glazed wall
and vitrified floor tiles are imported
in considerable quantities. Some
years ago advertising campaigns
were instituted to populariEe felt
roofing materials. but with only
partial success. The chief compet-
itUr of this kind of roofing for in
dustrisl purposes is galvanized iron
sheeting, for which there is good
demand. In the past ten years many
skeleton steel structures have been
erected. Architects believe that re-
inforced concrete will be a strong
competitor with this type in the fu-
ture.
The report. which also discusses
the market for construction materi-
ais in Bolivia, is the result OF a
first hand investigation by Trade
Commissioner w. W. Ewing. 1t is
known as Special Agents Series, No.
1SS, Construction Materials and
Machinery in Argentina and Bo-
livia," and can be obtained at 20
cents a copy from the superintend-
ents of documents. Government
Printing office. Washington, ID. C.,
or from any of the district and CO.
operative offices of the Bureau Of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce