Uruguay 2018
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Uruguay 2018 1 Table of Contents Doing Business in Uruguay ____________________________________________ 5 Market Overview ______________________________________________________________ 5 Market Challenges ____________________________________________________________ 5 Market Opportunities __________________________________________________________ 6 Market Entry Strategy _________________________________________________________ 6 Political Environment __________________________________________________ 7 Political Environment _________________________________________________________ 7 Selling US Products & Services _________________________________________ 8 Using an Agent to Sell US Products and Services __________________________________ 8 Establishing an Office _________________________________________________________ 8 Franchising __________________________________________________________________ 8 Direct Marketing ______________________________________________________________ 8 Joint Ventures/Licensing ______________________________________________________ 8 Selling to the Government _____________________________________________________ 9 Distribution & Sales Channels __________________________________________________ 9 Express Delivery _____________________________________________________________ 9 Selling Factors & Techniques ___________________________________________________ 9 eCommerce _________________________________________________________________ 10 Trade Promotion & Advertising ________________________________________________ 12 Pricing _____________________________________________________________________ 13 Sales Service/Customer Support _______________________________________________ 14 Protecting Intellectual Property ________________________________________________ 14 Local Professional Services ___________________________________________________ 14 Principle Business Associations _______________________________________________ 15 Limitations on Selling US Products and Services _________________________________ 15 Web Resources _____________________________________________________________ 15 Leading Sectors for US Exports & Investments ___________________________ 17 Telecommunication Equipment ________________________________________________ 17 Renewable Energy ___________________________________________________________ 19 IT – Computer Hardware ______________________________________________________ 21 Security Equipment __________________________________________________________ 23 Chemicals __________________________________________________________________ 25 Fertilizers __________________________________________________________________ 27 2 Agricultural Equipment _______________________________________________________ 29 Pharmaceuticals _____________________________________________________________ 31 Infrastructure Projects________________________________________________________ 33 Trade Barriers _______________________________________________________________ 35 Processed Food and Beverages and Food Ingredients _____________________________ 35 Education __________________________________________________________________ 38 Customs, Regulations & Standards _____________________________________ 39 Import Tariff ________________________________________________________________ 39 Import Requirements & Documentation _________________________________________ 39 Labeling/Marking Requirements _______________________________________________ 39 U.S. Export Controls _________________________________________________________ 40 Temporary Entry ____________________________________________________________ 40 Prohibited & Restricted Imports ________________________________________________ 40 Customs Regulations ________________________________________________________ 41 Standards for Trade __________________________________________________________ 41 Trade Agreements ___________________________________________________________ 43 Licensing Requirements for Professional Services ________________________________ 44 Web Resources _____________________________________________________________ 44 Investment Climate Statement _________________________________________ 46 Executive Summary __________________________________________________________ 46 Openness to and Restrictions upon Foreign Investment ___________________________ 47 Bilateral Investment Agreements and Taxation Treaties ____________________________ 48 Legal Regime _______________________________________________________________ 49 Industrial Policies ___________________________________________________________ 51 Protection of Property Rights __________________________________________________ 53 Financial Sector _____________________________________________________________ 54 State-Owned Enterprises _____________________________________________________ 55 Responsible Business Conduct ________________________________________________ 56 Corruption __________________________________________________________________ 57 Political and Security Environment _____________________________________________ 58 Labor Policies and Practices __________________________________________________ 58 OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs _________________________________ 59 Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Portfolio Investment Statistics _______________ 59 Contact for More Information on the Investment Climate Statement __________________ 61 Trade & Project Financing _____________________________________________ 62 3 Methods of Payment _________________________________________________________ 62 Banking Systems ____________________________________________________________ 62 Foreign Exchange Controls ___________________________________________________ 63 US Banks & Local Correspondent Banks ________________________________________ 63 Project Financing ____________________________________________________________ 63 Financing Web Resources ____________________________________________________ 64 Business Travel _____________________________________________________ 64 Business Customs ___________________________________________________________ 64 Travel Advisory _____________________________________________________________ 64 Visa Requirements ___________________________________________________________ 64 Currency ___________________________________________________________________ 65 Telecommunications/Electronics _______________________________________________ 65 Transportation ______________________________________________________________ 65 Language __________________________________________________________________ 66 Health _____________________________________________________________________ 66 Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays _______________________________________ 66 Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings _____________________________ 66 Travel Related Web Resources ________________________________________________ 66 INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. 4 Doing Business in Uruguay Market Overview Uruguay’s principal economic engine is its agricultural sector, exporting products such as meat, dairy, grains, and forestry products – 65 percent of exports are agricultural-based products. About half of all industrial production is dedicated to food processing or the refining of agricultural products. Uruguay is an attractive market for international companies as purchaser of a variety of manufactured products. Uruguay is experiencing the longest expansion in its history, with 15 years of economic growth and sucessful management of regional macroeconomic imbalances. However, Uruguay’s economic growth slowed to an annual average of 1.6% from 2015 to 2017, negatively affected by a decline in international commodity prices and recessions in Argentina and Brazil — two of Uruguay’s top trading partners. As of 2017, Uruguay’s top export destinations for its goods were (in rank order): China, Brazil, the Netherlands, Argentina, and the United States. Uruguay’s top sources of imports of goods in 2017 were China ($1.69 billion), Brazil ($1.64 billion), Argentina ($1.06 billion) and the United States ($880 million). MERCOSUR countries have lost some import market share to China. In 2017, Uruguay’s goods imports totalled $8.5 billion. Some 60 percent of the total were manufactured products such as machinery and electrical equipment, chemical products, transport equipment and foodstuffs. Between 2012 and 2016, imports fell by an annual average of 2.1 percent. In 2017, the United States exported $880 million in goods to Uruguay, and imported $456 million, resulting in a U.S. trade surplus of $424 million. U.S. exports to Uruguay increased 48 percent from 2016, mainly due to the increase in imports of refined oil. Top four reasons why U.S. companies should consider exporting to Uruguay: • Uruguay is an institutionally stable democratic country with strong rule of law and a commitment to to international agreements and norms. • Uruguay has a relatively open trade policy and equal treatment of domestic and international companies. • Strategically located between Argentina and Brazil, and at the mouth of ___-mile long riverine transportation system that extends into the heart of South America, Uruguay can serve as as a regional distribution platform and test market. The U.S.-Uruguay bilateral relationship is strong. Uruguayan officials and business sector representatives