Business with Uruguay

Guide for business visitors Macroeconomic Indicatos Overview of the market Business with India
Uruguay
Trade and Industry Contacts
F-LAC Spanish Phrases

 

 

Basic Information
Area:
176000 sq.km.
Population:
3.4 million
Capital: 
Montevideo (Pop. 1.5 million)
Other major cities:      
Punta del Este - Beach resort Canelones
Maldonado
Salto
Colonia
Language
 
Spanish
Ports
Montevideo, Colonia, Fray Bentos, Nueva Palmira
International Airports
Montevideo, Punta del Este (limited number of flights and that too in summer)
Free Trade Zones Zona America: www.zonaamerica.com
Literacy Rate: 97%
Currency:
Uruguayan Peso written as ‘$’ (same as US Dollar sign)
Electric Current:
220AC (50 Hz)
Telephone Code: 

Uruguay                                    598
Montevideo                              2
Canelones                                33
Maldonado & Punta del Este  42
Salto                                        73
Colonia                                    52

Internet Country Code:
.uy
Tourist Information:

www.turismo.gub.uy

Macroeconomic Indicators
GDP:

41 billion US $ (2010)

GDP growth rate:
2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

9%

2.9 %

8.9%

7.4%

7%

6.6%

11.8%

Per Capita Income
12.500 US $
Inflation
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
6.5%
7.2%
7.8%
8.9%
6.4%
4.9%

 

External Debt 13.4 billion dollars (Dec 2010)
Forex Reserves 8.2 billion dollars (Dec 2010)

Exchange rate:

1 US $ TO Ugy Pesos

2010

2009

 2008 

2007

2006 

2005

2004

21

22.63

24.16

21.5

24.45

24.15

26.4

 

Minimum wage:
US $ 237
Foreign Trade:

 

2010
2009

2008

2007

2006

Imports

7.3
5.1

6.3

5.5

4.9

Exports

6.7
5.05

6

4.6

4.5

 

Main Sources of Imports (in billion USD)
Country
Imports
Brazil 1.4
Argentina 1.3
China 1
Venezuela 0.75
United States 0.6
Russia 0.35
Germany 0.17
Mexico 0.16
Spain 0.13
Italy 0.1

 

Main destination of Exports (in million USD)
Country
Exports
Brazil 1.5
Argentina 0.5
China 0.37
Russia 0.35
Venezuela 0.3
Germany 0.25
United States 0.2
Spain 0.18
Paraguay 0.16
Italy 0.14

 

Overview of the Market

Uruguay is one of the most stable, transparent and efficient markets in Latin America. Government policies and business practices of the private sector are predictable, transparent and rule-based. Corruption is one of the lowest in Latin America.
Uruguay is the most peaceful country in South America with the least crime, violence and insecurity. It has well-educated human resources.
The democracy of Uruguay is strong and well institutionalized. In the elections held in November 2009, Jose Mujica was elected as President and assumed power in March 2010 for five years. Although he is an ex-Guerilla fighter and was in jail for 14 years as a political prisoner during the military dictatorship, he is committed to continue the moderate and pragmatic policies of the current ruling coalition. The policies of his Government are business-friendly while at the same time pro-poor.

Uruguay’s competitive advantage is in agriculture. It is an exporter of rice, wheat, soya and meat. The land is fertile and water is plenty. Seeing the opportunities arising from global food insecurity, Uruguay is focusing on increasing agricultural production.
Area under crops has been increased to 1.4 million hectares in 2010 from 300,000 hectares in 2001. It can be further increased to 3 million hectares.
The agribusiness is well organized in Uruguay with mechanization and outsourcing. Every hectare of the country’s surface has been satellite mapped and soil condition and productivity documented. The logistics and infrastructure are also well developed. The agribusiness of the country is backed by innovative network of agronomists, research institutions and global and local companies.
The mainstay of the economy is the export-oriented agricultural sector.
Main exports are soya, wheat, rice, cotton, wool, meat, leather and paper pulp.
Uruguay is the seventh largest exporter of rice in the world. Rice production in 2010 was 1.6 million tons and it is expected to go up to 2 million tons in the next few years.
In recent years, soy cultivation has been increasing. Argentine and Brazilian companies are moving into Uruguay to produce soybeans for exports. Area under soy has increased from 29000 hectares in 2002 to 700,000 hectares in 2010.
A Finnish company has invested about 2 billion dollars in the Botnia Paper Mill project including in a captive forest of over 100,000 hectares. This is the largest investment in Uruguay. Another large paper mill project is coming up.
Uruguay has the highest internet penetration in Latin America.

Tourism is an important revenue source. Punta del Este is a famous holiday resort for the rich and famous of Latin America, especially in the period December-February. Argentines are the main tourists and many have holiday homes in Punta del Este.
Uruguay is offering competitive incentives for foreign investors to set up assembly units in the Zona America for exports to the rest of South America.
Montevideo port is developing as a hub for trade with South America. There are bonded warehouses for storage and distribution to the region.

The Secretariat of Mercosur is located in Montevideo.

Forecast for 2011

GDP growth – 5%

Inflation- 6.4%

Currency- expected to strengthen

Banking:

Top ten banks


Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay BROU - Web:http://www.brou.com.uy

NUEVO BANCO COMERCIAL - Web:http://www.nbc.com.uy

BANCO SANTANDER URUGUAY  - Web: Web:http://www.santander.com.uy

ABN AMRO - Web:http://www.abnamro.com.uy

DISCOUNT BANK - Web: http://www.discbank.com.uy

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA URUGUAY - Web: http://www.bbva.com.uy

BANCO ITAU - Web:http://www.itau.com.uy

CITIBANK -   Web:http://www.citibank.com.uy
                                      
LLOYDS TSB BANK - Web:http://www.lloydstsb.com.uy

HSBC BANK - Web:http://www.hsbc.com.uy

India - Uruguay Business

Bilateral Trade figures   

(USD in million)

 
Uruguay
Jan-Apr 2012
Jan-Apr 2011
India´s Exports
27
19.5
India´s Imports
6.5
5.7

 

 

 

 

 
Uruguay
2011
2010
India´s Exports
86
69
India´s Imports
20
14

 

 

 

 

Year
2010
2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

India´s Exports

69
47.5

  75

49

35

37

India´s Imports

14
10.5

   8.5

8

5

4

An Agreement for Protection and Promotion of Investment (BIPPA) was signed in February 2008 during the visit of Minister of State of External Affairs of India, Shri Anand Sharma.

 

Main Exports of India to Uruguay (In million USD) 2010

Products

      In million US $

Organic chemicals

12.5

Garments

10

Vehicles

6.1

Sound and image devices

4.5

Pharmaceuticals 3.7
Iron and steel 2.5
Synthetic yarn 1.8
Rubber 1.7
Machinery 1.4
Inorganic chemicals 1

 

Main imports of India from Uruguay (in million USD) 2010

  Products

      In million US $

Wool

9              

Leather  

1.5

Wool yarn 

1.3

Timber  1.2
Investment & Joint Ventures

TCS has established a software development centre and a regional training centre in Montevideo employing 800 local staff besides about 50 Indians. This was the first IT Centre opened by TCS in Latin America in 2002.
Indian IT Company Geodesic Ltd acquired a Uruguayan software company in Montevideo in May 2009. The Uruguayan company www.interactiveni.com has a staff of 40 persons and specialises in Instant Messaging solutions and applications for mobile phones and companies.

Arcelor Mittal has acquired (Dec 2007) a Uruguayan stainless steel tube producer CINTER S.A., an important stainless steel tube producer with sales of US $ 47 million employing about 200 people.

Zamin Resources an NRI company promoted by Mr Pramod Agarwal has entered into an iron ore mining project. The total cost of the project is over a billion dollars. The company has already spend several million dollars in preparatory stage and has an office in Montevideo.

Other Indian companies have shown interest in investment in pharma and agri-business sectors.
For information on investment opportunities, visit the website www.uruguayxxi.gub.uy

A number of Indian companies, including Reliance use the bonded warehouse facilities of ‘Grupo Ras’ for supply to South American countries. Grupo Ras is offering marketing services also to interested Indian companies. www.gruporas.com
Indian companies are encouraged to invest in agribusiness in Uruguay. They can acquire farmlands and also lease the land. They can grow soya, wheat, rice and pulses. Since all the operations are mechanized and outsourced, there is no labour issue. The land can be bought and leased directly in the private sector and there is no government restriction on foreign investment. Argentine, Brazilian and European companies and individuals owns and lease farmlands in Uruguay.

For more information and facilitation of investment, contact the Uruguayan Agri consultancy company,  Allied Ventures  www: alliedventures.com 
Mr. Marcos and Mr. Lautaro of Allied Ventures have visited India to promote Indian investment in Uruguayan agribusiness and are enthusiastic. Their company can also manage the farming operations for a fee.

Carlos Ott, the famous architect of Uruguay has designed the 250 million dollar IT park of TCS in Chennai, the largest software development centre in the world, employing 24000 professionals and spread over 28 hectares.

 

Shipping

Freight Rates from Mumbai/ Montevideo:

20´ container USD 1400
40´container USD 2600

 

Guide for Business Visitors to Uruguay
Visa from the Embassy of Uruguay in New Delhi

Visa can be obtained at the Uruguayan Embassy in New Delhi. The Embassy gives 5 years’ multiple-entry visa, which is valid for a stay of 15 days during each visit. The Embassy would require comprehensive information about the company, the visitor and the business proposed to be done with Uruguay.
Embassy of Uruguay
Ambassador Cesar Ferrer

A16/2 Vasant Vihar, 110057, New Delhi
Tel.No. (91 11) 26151991/1992
Fax.No. 26144306
e-mail uruind@del3.vsnl.net.in

Airlinks

The only long distance flight to Europe is to Madrid from Montevideo. There are frequent flights to Buneos Aires and Sao Paulo.
From Buenos Aires, one can also go by ferries which take about 3 hours to Montevideo.
The international airport of Montevideo, ‘Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco’ at Canelones - is located about 3 km away from the city. http://www.aic.com.uy/
At the time of departure, an airport tax of US$ 29 or its equivalent in the local currency has to be paid for international flights, and US$ 16 for flights to Argentina.

On Arrival at Airport

Prepaid taxi [REMIS] service available at the airport. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the city.
Taxi fare from airport to the city is about US $ 25/-.

Changing Money

Currencies can be changed easily and international credit cards are widely accepted.

Taxis

They can be taken from streets or Remises(Private taxis) can be called on phone.
Remises are identified with grey color. The following are the important Remis companies:
Remise “El Ciudadano”
Tel: (00598 2) 601 8585
Mobile: (00598) 94 423203


Remise “Carrasco”
Tel: (00598 2) 600 4396
Mobile: (00598) 94 405473

 

Shopping Malls

Shopping Punta Carretas            Shopping Punta Carretas 350 Tel: 710 3741

Montevideo Shopping Center      De Herrera Luis A 1290 Tel: 628 9290

Portones Shopping                    Shopping Portones S/N Tel: 601 7854

Punta Shopping (Punta del Este) Roosevelt Franklin D S/N Tel: 042 48 9666

Supermarkets / Departmental Stores

Devoto (15 branches)                  www.devoto.com.uy
Portones Shopping , Tel. 604 2550

Tienda Inglesa (8 branches)            www.tinglesa.com.uy
Montevideo Shopping Tel. 622 1111

Disco (8 branches)           www.disco.com.uy
Punta Carretas Shopping Tel. 711 0741

Hotels
Five Stars

Sheraton Montevideo Hotel
Calle Victor Solino 349 , Montevideo
 (598 2) 710 2121
Web: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/montevideo

Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel
Plza Independencia Centro 759, Montevideo
 (598 2) 902 0111
Web: www.radisson.com/Montevideouy

Belmont House
Rivera General 6512, Montevideo
 (598 2) 600 0430
Web: www.belmonthouse.com.uy

 

Four Stars

Four Points by Sheraton
Ejido 1275, Montevideo
1(598 2) 901 7000
Web: www.starwoodhotels.com

NH Columbia
Reconquista 470, Montevideo
2(598 2) 915 8085
Web: www.nh-hotels.com/site/merc/hoteles-montevideo

 

Three Stars

Hotel Crystal Palace
Avda 18 De Julio 1210, Montevideo
1(598 2) 900 4645

Web: www.crystalpalacehotel.com.uy

 

List of Holidays

January 6                                 Epiphany
April                                        Good Friday & Easter
May 1                                      Labour Day
May 18                                     Battle of Las Piedras Day 
June 19                                    José Artigas Day
Julio 18                                    Constitution Day   
August 25                                 The Independence Day    
October 12                               Colombus Day
November 2                             All Soul´s Day
December 25                            Christmas
January 1                                 New Year’s Day 

Food

Fusion cuisine Restaurants:

Tandory
Massini esquina Libertad, Montevideo 
Tel.No. 709 6616
www.tandory.com/
[Open for Dinner from Tue-Sun]

Café Misterio

Costa Rica,  Carrasco, Montevideo
Tel.No. 600 5999
www.cafemisterio.com.uy
[Open for Dinner from Tue-Sun]

Montecristo

Fco. Vidal 638 - Castillo Pittamiglio, Punta Carretas
Tel.No. 710 1744
www.montecristo.com.uy
[Open for Dinner from Tue-Sun]

Tipping

10% is the standard tip in restaurants and public service facilities.

 

Indian community

There are about 60 Indians in Montevideo; most of these are young IT professionals from Tata Consultancy Services. Generally they stay for one to two years.  

 

Indian Companies in Uruguay

Tata Consultancy Services
Mario Tucci, Country Manager
Shri Prabal Datta
Ruta 8, KM. 17.500
Zona Franca De Montevideo (ZFM),
Montevideo - CP 12200,.
Uruguay
Ph:- +598 25185600 -4003
Cell:- +598 9846 7746
Fax:- +598 2518 5605
Mail: prabal.datta@tcs.com
Website: http://www.tcs.com


Interactive Networks (Geodesic)
Andres Szafran, Country Manager
aszafran@interactiveni.com

 

Trade & Industry Contacts

 

Honorary  Consulate of India in Uruguay
Mr. Ruben Azar, Honorary Consul Gereral
Ms. Natalia Bertullo, Assistant
Calle Guatemala s/n Recinto Portuario. Edificio PLP, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel +598 2924 6529   Mail : consulado@conindia.com.uy

Grupo Ras
This is a 120 million dollar company offering warehousing, distribution and marketing for foreign companies including from India. They have offices and facilities in other countries of South America. Some Indian companies including Reliance use their services.
Ruben Azar, the President of Grupo Ras has been to India several times and is keen to offer his company's services and facilities to Indian companies. Details in their website - www.gruporas.com
Contact: razar@gruporas.com, Tel No. +598 2924 4525

 

Uruguay- India Chamber of Commerce
President- Leonardo Couto
Secretaries – Fatima & Beatriz

Av. Gral. Rondeau 1908, oficinas 14 y 15
Edificio de la Cámara Mercantil de Productos del País.
Montevideo, Uruguay, CP 11800

Tel +598 29249962
Fax -005982-9162925
camindia@adinet.com.uy // From Monday to Tuesday 10.30 to 15.30 hs.

National Chamber of Commerce and Services
Rincón 454
Tel. : (00 598 2)  916 1277 - 916 4710
Fax: 916 1243
E-mail: canadeco@adinet.com.uy

Uruguay Mercantile Chamber
(Cámara Mercantil de Productos del País)
Av. Gral. Rondeau 1908
Tel.: (00 598 2)  924 0644 - 924 0670
Fax: 924 0674
E-mail: camaramercantil@camaramercantil.com.uy
Web: www.camaramercantil.com.uy

Uruguay Exporters Union
(Union de Exportadores del Uruguay)
Rbla 25 de Agosto de 1825 S/N
Tel./fax. : (00 598 2) 917 0105
E-mail: ueu@adinet.com.uy
Web: www.uruguayexporta.com

Uruguay Industrial Chamber
(Cámara de Industrias del Uruguay)
Av. Italia 6101
Tel. : (00 598 2) 6003125, 604 0481
fax : 604 0501
E-mail: ciu@ciu.com.uy
Web: www.ciu.com.uy

Uruguay National Chamber of Commerce & Services
(Cámara Nacional de Comercio)
Misiones 1400, Montevideo
Tel (5982) 916 1277
www.cncs.com.uy

URUGUAY XXI
(Promotion of Export and Investments)
Rincon 518/528- Montevideo
Tel: (598) 2915 3838
http://www.uruguayxxi.gub.uy/

CUTI
(Uruguay Chamber of IT)
Av. Italia 6201, LATU, Edificio Los Sauces, Planta Alta
Tel: (598) 2 6012273
http://www.cuti.org.uy/

Focus- LAC programme

This is a special trade promotion initiative of the commerce ministry of India implemented in collaboration with business, since 1997. Under this, there are a number of proactive measures, including financial support for Indian companies to explore the LAC market, for participation in trade fairs, market studies, BSMs etc. Financial support is also given for LAC importers to visit India. The support is provided through export promotion councils and trade and industry bodies only and not directly to individual companies

Contact

Spanish Phrases for Visitors

Some useful spanish phrases.

Also, Spanish Dictionary online: http://www.spanishdict.com/

 

Hello Hola
Good morning  Buenos Dias
Good evening Buenas Tardes
Good night Buenas Noches
How are you? ¿Cómo está?
Very well  Bien
Pleased to meet you Mucho gusto / Encantado
What is your name? ¿Cómo se llama?
My name is …… Mi nombre es ……
Please Por favor
Excuse me Permiso
Thank you Gracias
Thank you very much Muchas gracias
Yes / No Si / No
Goodbye Adios / Chau
See you later Hasta luego
I don´t understand No entiendo
I like Argentina / Paraguay /Uruguay Me gusta Argentina /Paraguay /Uruguay
Where is?  ¿Dónde está?
Address Dirección
Can you help me? ¿Me puedo ayudar?
I need a taxi Necesito un taxi
I am in a hurry Estoy apurado
Do not worry No se preocupe
I want …. Yo quiero
I agree Estoy de acuerdo
No problem No hay problema
We should negotiate Debemos negociar
Letter of credit Carta de crédito
Wire transfer Transferencia
Sample Muestra
Exchange Cambio
Exchange rate Tasa de cambio
Business card Tarjeta
It is a pleasure doing business with your company Es un placer hacer negocios con su empresa
Let us celebrate Vamos a brindar
Cheers Saludos
Welcome Bienvenido
I am vegetarian Soy vegetariano
Breakfast El desayuno
Lunch El almuerzo
Dinner La cena
Meat Carne
Chicken Pollo
Fish Pescado
Sugar Azucar
Rice Arroz
Today Hoy
Tomorrow Mañana
Night Noche
Now Ahora
Later Después
Wait for me Espera por me
Pick me up at … Buscame a las …
Avenue Avenida
Street Calle
Entrance Entrada
Exit Salida
How much is the cost? ¿Cuánto cuesta?
Expensive  Caro
Good Bueno
Bad Malo
Luggage Equipaje
Room Habitación
Bill La cuenta
Cash Efectivo
Credit card Tarjeta de Credito
Coffee (with milk/sugar) (sugar free sweetner) Café (con leche/azucar) (Edulcorante)
Tea (-do-) Té (-do-)
Mineral water Agua mineral sin gas
Aerated water Agua con gas
Red wine Vino tinto
White wine Vino blanco
Salt Sal
Vegetables Verduras
Cheese Queso
Egg Huevo