Over a century of exchanges between Uruguay and Japan

A delegation of 20 Japanese business people arrived in Uruguay to strengthen business development and deepen their relationship with the country, which they consider a gateway to the Latin American market. In addition to meeting with local business people, the agenda included meetings with various ministers of state.

This visit continued Uruguay’s efforts to consolidate its ties with Japan. Last year, a delegation led by Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and several ministers visited Japan to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.

Now, Uruguay XXI, through its Deputy Executive Director Inés Bonicelli and its Investment and Aftercare Manager, Alejandro Ferrari, made a country presentation to the visitors about the advantages that Uruguay offers as an investment destination: its good credit rating, political, economic, and social stability, an excellent business climate, a strategic location with access to an expanded market of 400 million people, highly qualified human resources and quality of life, among other aspects that are valued by investors who already choose the country.

The audience at the presentation included representatives of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Ambassador Asari Hideki, and the Chairman of Keidanren’s Latin America and Caribbean Committee, Yukata Kase. Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, is a global economic organization with a membership of more than 1,500 companies representing the Asian country, more than 100 industrial associations, and economic organizations.

Japanese business people also participated, showing particular interest in the agribusiness, renewable energies, and technology and innovation sectors, in which Uruguay has shown significant development.

Nearly 30 Japanese companies in sectors such as the automotive industry, finance, distribution centers, plastics, energy, and agri-food are already installed and operating in Uruguay.

Uruguay exports meat products and wool to Japan, while imports from Japan are mainly auto parts and automotive machinery. Both countries have more than 100 years of commercial relationship that continues to grow thanks to the continuous exchange and opportunities for people in business from both nations.