The relationship with China is strengthened by several events

In November, Uruguay participated in the eleventh edition of COIFAIR, and in December it took part in the China-LAC summit, the seminar on Trade and Investment Opportunities between Uruguay and Guangzhou, and also conducted an official mission to China.

These actions seek to promote Uruguay as a regional hub and a gateway to the continent within the framework of the International Cooperation Corridor and Route initiative, which Uruguay joined in 2018.

Since 2013, China has been Uruguay's main trading partner. As a result of the link between the two countries, in 2018 Uruguayan exports to China accounted for 26% of total placements, while 22% of Uruguayan imports came from the Asian country.

In 2019 the countries maintained intense activity. The country stand that Uruguay took to the Beijing Expo, the largest horticultural fair in Asia, won the award for best stand in Latin America. In addition, in order to promote its offer of quality products and services, Uruguay participated with 30 companies in the International Import Expo, the largest fair for buyers in China, held a country event aimed at potential investors and Chinese buyers, and signed a cooperation agreement with Invest Shanghai.

In recent years both countries shared several milestones. In October 2016 they established a strategic partnership, in 2018 they celebrated 30 years of the reestablishment of their diplomatic relations and this year the 60th anniversary of parliamentary relations between the countries.

China-LAC

Uruguay XXI participated with a country stand in the thirteenth edition of China-LAC, which took place between Monday 9 and Wednesday 11 December in Panama City.

The activity was jointly organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). It is a promotion mechanism and a platform that seeks greater economic cooperation, focused on boosting trade and investment between China and Latin America.

During the event there were plenary sessions, business rounds, a round table of trade promotion organizations, a trade and investment exhibition and technical visits. The president of the National Institute of Logistics (INALOG), Ana Rey, gave a presentation on the country's position as a logistics hub in Latin America.

Zonamerica represented the private sector, which had a stand to promote its business platform. The Parque de las Ciencias also participated, together with other Uruguayan companies from various fields.

Several Chinese companies and companies from other countries expressed interest in setting up in Uruguay to do business with nearby countries, taking into account the country's outstanding location and positioning in the region. The presence of Uruguayan companies from the sector allowed for a comprehensive response to the queries raised.

This is not the first time that Uruguay has had an outstanding participation in this event. In 2017, Uruguay hosted the eleventh edition of China LAC and was the country that reached the highest number of participants in Latin America, with the participation of more than 2,400 foreign and national entrepreneurs, trade organizations, authorities and the media.

Official Mission to China

With the support of Uruguay XXI, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay (MIEM) organized, from Thursday 5 to Saturday 14 December, an official mission to the People's Republic of China with a delegation led by MIEM's Undersecretary, Olga Otegui.

On this occasion, they visited the cities of Beijing, Zhengzhou, Shanghai, Hefei and Shenzhen with the aim of learning about their experiences in promoting electric public transport and exchanging lessons learned to improve the development of public policies. In addition, electric bus factories, electric public transport fleet operators and electric utilities providing charging services were visited.

Within the framework of this visit, we also attended the China International Bus Fair (CIB EXPO), one of the most important events in the sector focused on the advances of the electric mobility industry in China. This instance meant a networking opportunity with representatives of the electric transport sector.

Seminar on Trade and Investment Opportunities between Uruguay and Guangzhou

On Friday 13 December, the Seminar on Trade and Investment Opportunities between Uruguay and Guangzhou was held, with a delegation in Zonamerica. This activity led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Uruguay XXI and CCPIT Guangzhou in order to promote and deepen cooperation between the countries.

This seminar took place within the framework of the visit of the delegation of the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Sub-Council of Guangzhou, accompanied by an important business delegation from that region.

The event was opened by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Uruguay, Wang Gang, followed by the presentation of Uruguay and its opportunities by the Executive Director of Uruguay XXI, Antonio Carámbula. The presentation of Guangzhou and its business and cooperation opportunities was made by the president of the CCPIT Guangzhou, Yang Yong, and the presentation of the district of Yuexiu was made by the president of the district, Su Pei. The president of the Uruguay-China Chamber of Commerce, Gabriel Rozman closed the activity.

Eleventh edition of COIFAIR

On Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November, Uruguay XXI together with the Embassy of Uruguay in China participated with an institutional stand in the eleventh edition of COIFAIR, the fair for the promotion of investment abroad in China, held in Beijing.

During the event there were bilateral meetings with important Chinese companies seeking investment opportunities in Uruguay, to which the great advantages and incentives to invest in the country were pointed out.

On this occasion, Uruguay XXI had an outstanding presence, as it was awarded for its consecutive participation in the last five years.