URUGUAY
Overview
- Uruguay is the second smallest country on the South American continent
- Uruguay has a democratic form of government with a popularly elected president
and legislature
- Uruguay has a temperate climate. The temperature ranges generally from 50
to 71 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months, cold storms, known as
pamperos, blow from the southwest.
- Spanish is the official language of Uruguay.
- 2/3 of population belong to Roman Catholic Church
- The legal currency of Uruguay is the Peso Uruguayo.
Opportunities
- Agriculture: stock raising, meat, wool, hides, sugar cane, sugar beets,
wheat, rice, potatoes, sorghum, and corn
- Chemicals
- Fishing
- Minerals: clay and sand
- Manufactured Products: clothing, steel, aluminum, and electrical equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Textiles: wool, cotton, and rayon
- Tourism
Marketing Tips
- Exporters should concentrate on urban centers, where there is a large middle
class.
- While marketing, exporters do not have to worry about literacy. Uruguay
has one of the highest rates of literacy for adults in the world at 97.8%.
- Uruguayans are well educated. All education, including college and postgraduate,
is free.
- Exporters should be aware of the considerable gap between the urban rich
and the rural poor in Uruguay.
- Exporters should be aware of laws that have been passed to protect women
and minors in employment.
Business Culture
- Agriculture, specifically stock raising, is currently the most important
activity in Uruguay’s economy, although manufacturing is increasing in significance.
- Most businesses are privately owned; however, the government operates state
railways, electric power, telephone, and official broadcasting service.
- Although the economy has been a mild recession, demand for export goods
from Brazil and Argentina are expected to precipitate a rally in the near
future.
- A significant number of workers are unionized. The chief labor federation,
the National Confederation of Workers, includes 200 unions, with a total of
approximately 900,000 members
- The leading purchasers of exports are Brazil, Argentina, the United States,
Germany, and Italy
- Uruguay chief sources for imports are Brazil, Argentina, and the United
States
- Uruguay is a founding member of the Latin American Integration Association
(LAIA). The LAIA encompasses all of the countries in South America except
Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana and works toward increasing trade and
regional integration.
- Uruguay is also part of the Mercosur group, which includes Argentina, Brazil,
and Paraguay. The Mercosur group works toward establishing duty-free trade
between members.
- The Uruguayan public has become increasing dissatisfied with the economy.
Do's
- If invited out, bring a small gift.
- Look the other person in the eye while conversing
- Engage in small talk before getting down to business
- Stand close when interacting with any businessmen
Don'ts
- Do not speak loudly, or make large hand movements
- Do not back away when conversing with people