Jalil highlighted the positive impact that mining is having in Catamarca and compared it to Chile's experience. "The neighboring country exports about 60 billion dollars in mining," he noted. In that sense, he emphasized that if the country is allowed to export at least 40 billion, "people will go where they pay more salary, which is mining," moving away from dependence on public employment.
Currently, according to the leader himself, public employment in Catamarca represents 64%, a percentage he considers unsustainable. "Reducing state employment is a cultural process that needs to change," he expressed, reiterating that legal security and lifting the restrictions are required to boost a "mining boom."
Additionally, he indicated that the province has active mining projects worth more than a billion dollars, and could present initiatives reaching 6 billion. He even mentioned that three companies from India are already investing in Catamarcan soil.
Dialogue with Milei and political stance
The Catamarcan governor also spoke about his relationship with President Javier Milei, highlighting that he keeps a policy of dialogue, which has caused criticism from Peronism.
However, he insisted: "I have the responsibility to manage, and managing means talking to the government." For Jalil, institutional dialogue should not be interrupted: "If we don't do it, I don't know what the outcome is."
