Argentina, a natural resource powerhouse, has pledged to help ease global food and energy shortages by boosting oil and gas production and incentivising exports of grain from the country, according to economy minister Sergio Massa.

Speaking on the first day of a visit to the US during which major new lithium mining and energy investments are expected, Massa told the Financial Times that he was also committed to stabilising the South American nation’s troubled finances and rebuilding hard currency reserves.

“We are going to contribute to the global food and fuel security agenda by increasing our production of energy and proteins,” Massa said. During a meeting on Tuesday at the US state department, an Argentine official said the minister had stressed that his nation could help “feed and fuel the world”.