Narayan AmmachchiArgentina has launched a dedicated digital free zone in Mendoza, aiming to accelerate tech job creation and strengthen its knowledge-based economy through targeted incentives for global digital firms.
Branded as Andén, the initiative is being positioned as Latin America’s first free zone exclusively designed for digital services. Companies operating within the zone will benefit from tax breaks and regulatory advantages typically associated with traditional free trade zones.
The project is backed by private firm Anden, founded by entrepreneurs Simón Puebla and Milagros Santa María. To finance the initiative, the company raised between $1.2 million and $1.3 million from Protocol Labs and a group of angel investors.
A key feature of the model is its regulatory design. Instead of introducing new legislation, the digital free zone combines two existing frameworks — the Knowledge Economy Law and the Free Zones Law — extending benefits traditionally applied to physical goods into the digital services sector.
Operations within the zone will be managed through a proprietary online platform developed by Anden, allowing companies to register, ensure compliance, and interface directly with government agencies. The firm will act as a bridge between private enterprises and the Ministry of Economy, while maintaining oversight standards similar to conventional free zones.
Government estimates suggest the initiative could attract between $8 billion and $15 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment. Officials also project that 3,000 to 3,500 companies could eventually establish operations within the zone, generating around 40,000 direct IT jobs and an additional 80,000 indirect employment opportunities.
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