Born in Formosa but with a career that was marked abroad, Nicolás Aguzín, 54, presides over the Hong Kong stock exchange after leaving his post as CEO of JP Morgan. He is definitely one of the few Argentines on the planet with that level of executive responsibility. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is one of the eight most important financial markets in the world.
In a country where, due to default, traps and crises, investments usually pass by Aguzín, an Argentine at last, it occurred to him that YPF could, through listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, capitalize investments.
In ten days the head of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange travels to Buenos Aires to finalize that launch in November. It facilitates the fact that YPF is already listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The news was known this afternoon in Beijing when he joined the entourage of Minister Massa, Pablo González, the president of the oil company.
The Chinese investment bank CICC is willing "to provide financing services for specific projects and technical assistance to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange," González said.
He also stressed that YPF has just obtained the highest operating result in its history: US $ 5,000 million.
In passing, he commented on what they are negotiating with the Chinese who are conspicuous by their absence in Vaca Muerta. But the Chinese oil company CNPC, the largest producer of crude oil and gas of this giant "will participate in the tender of round 2 of offshore exploration" in the Argentine Sea.
And, together with the other Chinese colossus, CNOOC, it wants to invest in the unconventional exploitation of hydrocarbons and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Of course, the LNG law is needed as an essential preliminary step.
There is another interested in LNG, none other than Malaysia's Petronas. And everyone is waiting for a law that is delayed in a Congress crossed by elections and the rift,
The Chinese of the Cofco cereal company also approached YPF because they seek to have foot in "investment in port infrastructure and grain processing, and also in the fertilizer industry."
Precisely YPF seeks that its Canadian partner in Profertil decides to make a capital contribution to expand the urea plant they share in Bahía Blanca. But so far it has not materialized. It transpired that for Canadians Argentina is risky.
YPF could become a pioneer in the use of anduanes for foreign trade.
The Chinese bank ICBC "would be a financial bridge between YPF and Chinese companies that want to commercialize. ICBC was authorized as a yuan compensator, Gonzalez said in the gardens of the ST Regis hotel where the Argentine delegation is staying.