Ministry of Economy Approves Its Code of Ethics 

With the adoption of its Code of Ethics through Resolution 857/2025, the Ministry of Economy fulfils one of the objectives in its Integrity Plan (Resolution 905/2024), which had established the need to develop a Code of Ethics to embody, promote, and disseminate its ethical values.

The Code of Ethics—issued within the framework of the Public Ethics Law 25188—is defined as a management tool intended to guide decision-making, conducts, and daily activities based on objective criteria.

The Code sets forth the values that must be upheld by all individuals involved. Furthermore, it seeks to discourage, prevent, and address unethical behaviour to perform public duties with transparency, efficiency, independence of judgment, and a strong commitment to the citizens.

Its main provisions include:

•    Subjects: all persons acting on behalf of, representing, and/or serving the Ministry of Economy, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, with or without remuneration, regardless of their level, rank, or form of appointment (including direct designation, competitive selection, or any other lawful form).
•    Ethical Principles, commitments, and ethical conduct: the Code establishes five ethical principles, each of which reflects institutional commitments and gives rise to specific behavioural guidelines.

1.    Integrity

1.1.    Ensure the proper and responsible use of public resources
•    Use resources exclusively for official duties and not for personal purposes, for the benefit of third parties, or for political campaigns.
•    Use the working day exclusively to comply with assigned responsibilities.
•    Undertake travel only in connection with an official mission or training activities related to one’s duties.

1.2.    Prevent and properly manage conflicts of interest
•    Avoid conducts that may compromise independence of judgment.
•    Conflict of interest: Any situation in which there is a presumed risk of bias in decision-making, due to the possibility that a public official’s personal interests—whether or not it is of an economic nature (including personal, professional, financial, or employment-related)—may conflict with the performance of their duties and responsibilities. A conflict of interest may be actual, potential, or apparent.

1.3.     Reject any form of corruption
•    Refrain from acting under undue pressure or demands, whether internal or external, regardless of their source.
•    Do not solicit or accept—directly or indirectly—money, gifts, benefits, favors, promises, or any other advantage in exchange for expediting, delaying, performing, or refraining from performing duties related to one's official functions, or for exerting influence over another public official to do or refrain from doing the same.

1.4.    To reject gifts, donations, gratuities, discounts, or benefits
•    This includes goods or services, even when provided free of charge and on the occasion of or in connection with the exercise of public duties.
•    Exceptionally, gifts may be accepted for reasons of courtesy or diplomatic custom, provided they do not originate from prohibited sources.
•    Such gifts must be recorded in the Register of Gifts to Public Officers.
•    The Code specifies which gifts are to be incorporated into the assets of the Federal State.

1.5.     Reject being paid for travel and accommodation expenses by third parties, except when:
•    Such expenses are related to participation in conferences, courses, or academic or cultural activities that have been duly authorized.
•    Accepting such funding is compatible with the official’s position and not prohibited by applicable regulations.
•    The funding does not originate from prohibited sources.
•    Such expenses must be recorded in the Register of Third-Party-Funded Travel.

1.6.     Maintain relationships that are ethical, transparent, and equitable
•    With bidders, suppliers, interest groups, and other agencies and entities.
•    By ensuring transparency in procurement and contracting procedures, guaranteeing competition, due diligence, and equal treatment.
•    By requiring the submission of a Sworn Declaration of Interests (Decree 202/2017).
•    By not being subject to grounds for a conflict of interest.

2.    Transparency and access to information

2.1.     Guarantee access to public information
•    By ensuring the broadest possible dissemination of information regarding management activities, the use of public resources, decision-making criteria, and the conduct of public officials.
•    By periodically updating public information to ensure it is complete, adequate, accessible, timely, and accurate, and made available through as many channels as possible.
•    Only information that has been expressly classified as restricted under applicable regulations—based on the principles of necessity and proportionality—will be exempted from disclosure.

2.2.     Respond to requests for access to public information
•    Act in accordance with the principle of informality, seeking to provide a response even if the request contains defects or omissions. If the request is unclear, request clarifications.
•    Comply with established deadlines to avoid noncompliance and potential future claims.
•    Direct the search to those areas most likely to have the requested information and coordinate with other agencies to refer and/or receive requests.
•    Maintain a complete and up-to-date record of all requests and corresponding responses.

2.3.     Ensure compliance with the Asset and Interest Disclosure Regime
•    Submit the Comprehensive Asset Disclosure Statement, without omissions or misrepresentations.
•    Submit the sworn statements required under the Monitoring System for Prior and Subsequent Public and Private Activities in relation to public office.
•    Ensure compliance with the obligation to submit the Sworn Declaration of Interests.

2.4.     Record interest management meetings
•    Meetings with natural or legal persons (public or private)—whether on their own behalf or representing third parties, for profit or not—must be recorded in the Single Registry of Interest Management Meetings.

3.    Responsibility and Accountability

3.1.     Assume responsibility for actions carried out in the exercise of public office
•    Base tasks and decisions on accurate and reliable information.
•    Have the technical qualifications required for the position.
•    Act with efficiency and a proactive attitude, pursuing continuous training and professional development.
•    Always prioritize the public interest over personal or private interests.

3.2.     Ensure legality and regulatory compliance
•    Be familiar with, respect, and comply with applicable laws, regulations, procedures, and internal rules governing public service in general, as well as those specific to one's role and responsibilities.

3.3.     Address observations issued by the Internal Audit Office
•    Provide timely responses, implement improvements, and remedy identified findings.

3.4.     Promote ethical leadership
•    Lead by example.
•    Act with integrity and promote an ethical attitude.
•    Maintain a conduct that is upright, responsible, and honorable, both within and outside the workplace.

3.5.     Ensure transparency in decision-making
•    Incorporate objective criteria, indicators, and standards based on best practices.
•    Generate and process data using validated methodologies and techniques.
•    Make evidence-based decisions.

3.6.     Preserve the confidentiality and privacy of data and information
•    Use information in good faith, solely for its intended purposes, and avoid manipulation.
•    Maintain strict confidentiality over all information handled.
•    Protect personal data of citizens, companies, and institutions.
•    The Code sets forth prohibited conduct in this regard.

3.7.     Relations with the media and public statements
•    Exercise caution when making public statements in a personal capacity, to prevent them from being interpreted as official positions.

3.8.     Maintain strict confidentiality of all privileged information
•    Privileged information means any specific, non-public information relating to one or more securities or issuers that, if made public, could reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the conditions, placement price, or trading price of such securities.
•    The Code establishes rules of conduct regarding the handling of privileged information.


4.    Equal Treatment and Opportunities

4.1.     Ensure equal and respectful treatment
•    Zero tolerance for harassment and sexual and/or workplace abuse.
•    No discrimination, differential treatment, or damaging conduct toward others.
•    Merit and professional qualifications as the sole criteria for personnel selection.
•    Reject all forms of unequal treatment that may lead to arbitrary decisions or violent situations.

5.    Sustainability

5.1.     Efficient and rational use of resources
•    Promote practices of waste reuse and recycling.
•    Comply with specific environmental regulations, aiming to ensure the sustainability of resources.

5.2.     Preserve cultural heritage
•    Safeguard and protect the artistic and cultural heritage of the Ministry of Economy and its facilities.

The Code also addresses matters such as:

Integrity Committee: it will be responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code of Ethics and proposing measures and actions. It may also issue recommendations.

Reporting Mechanism: a whistleblower channel has been established.

Sanctions Regime: non-compliance entails disciplinary liability and may result in the opening of preliminary information proceedings or administrative disciplinary proceedings, notwithstanding the applicable civil or criminal liability.

Ethics and Integrity definitions: the Code includes definitions of key concepts such as conflicts of interest, public resources, and registries, among others.

This initiative is an effective tool for enabling public employees and officers to understand what they may and may not do, thereby contributing to integrity and ethical conduct in the exercise of public duties.