The Ministry of Commerce extended the validity of the Ahora 12 program until June 30, 2023, incorporated 4G technology cell phones to the list of products included in the benefit and modified the fees applicable to participating businesses and providers for the collection of fees. operations.
The measure was ordered through resolution 144/2022, published in the Official Gazette, with the purpose of “continuing with the implementation of concrete actions tending to continue strengthening the internal market and expanding access to goods and services, through mechanisms that make it possible to stimulate demand by granting financing facilities”.
The decision to extend the program for five more months was made before the expiration of the term established in resolution 499/2022, set for January 31, 2023.
The incorporation of 4G cell phones will be for transactions in 3, 6 and 12 installmentss, although the program contemplates plans of 18 and 24 installments for other products.
Regarding the interest applicable to suppliers and businesses, for sales made in three installments, they will be charged within a period of up to 10 days with a maximum discount rate of 7.58% (before 7.06%) and for operations in 6 payments with a 14.22% (before 13.3%).
For transactions in 12 installments, they may charge a maximum discount rate of 19.95% for 60 calendar days and 25.67% for 10 business days, instead of the current rates of 18.74% and 24.16%. , respectively.
In the case of sales in 18 installments, they may collect within a period of 60 calendar days with a maximum discount rate of 30% (previously 28.35%) or within a period of up to 10 business days with a rate of 35, 09% (before 33.2%).
For operations in 24 installments, merchants and suppliers may choose between charging in 60 days with a maximum discount rate of 38.35% (previously 36.43%) or in a period of up to 10 days with a rate of 42, 87% (before 40.78%).
In the recitals of the measure, it was recalled that in July of this year the list of goods and services that are marketed within the framework of the program was modified to “continue with the promotion, economic growth and development, encouraging productive investment and demand” and that through Resolution 57/2022 the “30-quota Plan Complementary Regulation” was implemented to promote financing within that period for 4k technology televisions of a size equal to or greater than 50 inches, air conditioners with “Inverter” technology , washing machines, refrigerators and cell phones with 4G technology.
Likewise, it was held that “the expected financing rate means a stimulus for the promotion of sales of locally manufactured products and, therefore, it is convenient both for suppliers and businesses, as well as for consumers.”
The Beginning of Now 12
The Program for the Promotion of Consumption and Production of Goods and Services Now 12 was created in September 2014 “in order to stimulate the demand for goods and services, through the granting of term financing facilities, aimed at users and consumers, for the acquisition of goods and services from various sectors of the economy”, as indicated in joint resolution 671 and 267 of the former ministries of Economy and Industry, respectively.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Commerce, between January and September of this year, 56.9 million operations were carried out under the program, for a total amount of $1.11 billion.
The regulation covers 35 categories of productsamong which white goods, clothing, footwear and leather goods, construction materials and tools, furniture, bicycles and motorcycles whose final price does not exceed $350,000.
In addition, includes tourist services such as long-distance bus tickets, air tickets, hotels, rental cars, excursions and regional products.
The initiative also covers mattresses and box springs, textbooks and books, glasses and contact lenses of no more than $27,000, notebooks, stationery, pencils, pens, backpacks, pencil cases, toys and board games.
The initiative also covers mattresses and box springs, school textbooks and books, glasses and contact lenses of no more than $27,000, notebooks, stationery, pencils, pens, backpacks, pencil cases, toys and board games
On the other hand, includes tires, musical instruments, computers, notebooks and tablets, lighting fixtures, televisions, monitors, perfumery, small household appliances, and medical equipment among other goods and services.