Which software industry do we promote and what do we need?

Abstract

This article discusses the specialization profile of the argentine software and information services (ssi) and the type of insertion in global value chains. We argued that the software law of 2004 in force until 2019 has been decisive in the orientation of the  productive profile of the sector. It also shows that the new Law on Knowledge Industries, even after the amendments introduced at the beginning of 2020, will tend to strengthen this specialization rather than encourage processes of upgrading in the sector. We maintain that the model promoted by public policies has been successful in terms of income, jobs and exports growth. However, it disregards other areas of interest for public policy, such as the overlap with the national productive framework, which increases manufacturing productivity and the export of high-value products and services, with the possibility of growth based on the appropriation of knowledge rents.