Business Journalist | Founder & Editor of EUBizNews
Patricio De Gaetano is an Argentine and Spanish business journalist and the founder and editor of EUBizNews. He specializes in reporting on cross-border investment, European Union–Latin America relations, venture capital, startups, energy transition, mining, infrastructure and international business. His work focuses on connecting European and Latin American business ecosystems through high-quality journalism and exclusive interviews with entrepreneurs, investors, corporations and policymakers.
The Argentine fast-casual chain has three locations in the Spanish capital and is preparing a franchise-led expansion across Europe. Founder and director Fernando Goijman told EUBizNews that Italy is among the markets under consideration, but says the priority is to consolidate the Spanish operation before accelerating growth.
In an exclusive interview with EUBizNews, international trade expert Marcelo Elizondo says the EU-Mercosur agreement could transform the South American bloc from an inward-looking market into a platform for global integration, while accelerating European investment in Argentina and strengthening economic ties between Europe and Latin America.
Latin America enters the transition with mature instant-payment and tokenisation infrastructure, while Europe faces a different challenge: reconciling autonomous transactions with a sophisticated regulatory framework designed for human-initiated payments.
The agency affirmed BBVA Argentina’s long-term foreign-currency rating at “B-” with a stable outlook, as improving macroeconomic conditions support the banking sector. But the lender’s non-performing loan ratio jumped to 6.5% in the first quarter of 2026 and profitability fell sharply, highlighting the risks that persist despite Argentina’s economic stabilisation.
Argentina is returning to the expansion plans of major international fashion and retail groups. Buenos Aires is concentrating the first flagship openings, while Rosario is emerging as one of the priority cities for the next stage of expansion, with confirmed projects and additional brands considering the market.
From Ireland’s technology ecosystem and the Netherlands’ logistics network to Estonia’s digital administration and Poland’s industrial base, the ideal European location depends less on headline tax rates than on a company’s business model, talent requirements and target markets.
French fashion retailer Kiabi will enter the Argentine market through a franchise partnership that includes an investment of approximately €17 million over the next five years and the opening of up to 20 stores. The move marks the brand's return to Latin American expansion and reinforces growing European retail investment in the region.
Artificial intelligence, deep tech and cross-border investment are reshaping Europe's innovation economy. But investors say turning startups into global technology leaders will require easier access to capital, faster commercialization and stronger international collaboration.
According to the former Argentine official who led the country's OECD accession strategy, the agreement represents a geopolitical realignment, a catalyst for investment and a unique opportunity for Argentina and Latin America to integrate into global value chains through innovation, energy, critical minerals and regulatory convergence.
