In Argentina, the effort
is managed by the Institute for Economic Research of Argentina
and Latin America (IEERAL) of the Mediterranean Foundation supported
by Argentine business executives. The Argentine project is distinct
because reports are done on the national and provincial levels
because local legislative assemblies are autonomous.
Legislative experts produce three reports per month which
are published in the Foundations magazine, Novedades
Económicas, and sent to national and provincial legislators,
government officials, business and professional organizations,
and the media. The Foundation organizes monthly meetings where
members of the private sector can comment on the analyses
to ensure that the reports reflect their concerns. Moreover,
IEERAL staff is available for consultation to all legislators,
regardless of political affiliation.
Legislators have hailed the reports as "efficient mechanisms
for an inefficient parliament," because they are systematic
and focus the legislative debate on the most important technical
elements, making it easier for legislators to make informed
decisions. Journalists have praised the reports for providing
them with essential information on legislative proceedings.
According to IEERALs quarterly scorecards, about 60
percent of IEERAL's suggestions were incorporated into final
legislation. For example, IEERAL suggested that the legal
framework regulating the national airline, Aerolineas Argentinas,
and the various bills for its privatization be amended to
preclude the formation of a private monopoly hindering competition.
The Congress heeded one of IEERALs requests and deregulated
charter flights.
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