Uruguayan official mission will present business opportunities in Japan

From Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th March, Uruguay, the country considered the gateway to Latin America and an outstanding business center in that region, will be present in Japan on the occasion of its participation in the largest food and beverage event in Asia, Foodex.

In this context, two activities were also organized aimed at authorities, potential investors, entrepreneurs and buyers. These are the "Japan-Uruguay Business Forum" on Monday 4th March and the "Uruguay Day in Japan" on Wednesday 6th March, where attendees can learn about the advantages of this country as an investment destination, its exportable quality offer and its cultural proposal.

The events will feature a delegation of Uruguayan authorities composed of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ariel Bergamino, the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Enzo Benech, the Uruguayan ambassador to Japan, Cesar Ferrer, the president of the National Meat Institute (INAC), Federico Stanham and the executive director of the agency for investment promotion, exports and country brand promotion, Uruguay XXI, Antonio Carámbula.

With the support of Uruguay XXI, ten Uruguayan export companies will arrive in Japan to showcase their products and hold business meetings. Among them will be the country's largest dairy exporter, Conaprole, the wineries producing quality wines Los Nadies and Pizzorno - through its representative in Japan Towine -, Aichi, dedicated to marketing propolis products and their derivatives, the meat exporters United Breeders & Packers and Uruguayan Natural Meat, the Uruguayan oil distributor Support Jungle Group, the laboratory Apiter, specialized in products derived from propolis and the law firm Cervieri Monsuárez & Asociados.

These companies will show Uruguay's potential as a world supplier in a country stand installed in the Makuhari Messe convention center of Tokyo, where Foodex activities will take place.

Currently the country of 3.4 million people, provides food to almost 30 million people, with potential to reach 50 million. Due to its innocuousness and exceptional quality, guaranteed by its traceability systems applied by law to 100% of cattle and crops, Uruguay has positioned itself as a benchmark in food safety.

The prestige enjoyed by its food has opened the country's doors to the most demanding markets in the world. Currently, Uruguayan products are on the tables of more than 150 countries. The most recent proof of this situation is the exports of chilled and frozen meat to Japan - the most demanding country in the world in terms of the quality standards necessary to enter its territory - which have been in place since early February.

After a deep study process by the Japanese health authorities, Uruguayan exporters can reach the market with their meats. Thanks to its reputation in the sanitary and production systems, Uruguay is the first country with vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (aphthous fever) to achieve this opportunity.

During the Foodex Fair, 14 refrigeration plants, plus six brockers and traders will be present at Uruguay's 90 square meter meat stand.

Japan - Uruguay Business Forum

Together with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Embassy of Uruguay in Japan, the agency for the promotion of investments, exports and country brand, Uruguay XXI, organizes on Monday, March 4th, the Japan - Uruguay Business Forum, which will bring together potential investors, businessmen, top executives, authorities and the media.

During the event, attendees will learn why Uruguay is the best gateway for business in Latin America, as well as find out about investment opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness and corporate services, among others.

Uruguay currently has a next-generation agreement for the promotion and protection of investments with Japan that protects these operations from the pre-establishment. The agreement includes persons (individuals or legal entities) who intend to make an investment, who are making an investment or who have already made an investment in the country.

Before this instance the authorities of Uruguay XXI and Jetro will sign a memorandum of cooperation between both countries to promote trade, business and investment exchanges. 

Speakers during the Forum will include the Foreign Affairs Vice Minister of Uruguay, Ariel Bergamino, the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Uruguay, Enzo Benech, who will give a presentation entitled "Reliable and safe food from Uruguay to the world" and the Executive Director of Uruguay XXI, Antonio Carámbula, who will present "Why choose Uruguay? Your reliable business Gateway to Latin America".

"How Jetro sees Uruguay" will be the talk by Jetro CEO Toshio Kii, while business testimonies on how to do business in Uruguay will be given by representatives of the successful Uruguayan software company Genexus, which has offices in Japan, and the Japanese company Takiron, a member of Itochu Group and shareholder of Bonset, a company with operations in the Latin American country.

Uruguay Day in Japan

On Wednesday, March 6th, the "Uruguay Day in Japan" will be celebrated, organized by Uruguay XXI, the Embassy of Uruguay in Japan and the National Meat Institute (INAC). This activity will be supported by the Japanese Uruguayan Chamber, the Japanese Embassy in Uruguay and JETRO.

The event will promote Uruguay as a reliable food supplier through a tasting of Uruguayan cuisine prepared with Uruguayan products such as meats, caviar, cheeses, sweets and olive oils.

This business meeting, which will also gather potential investors and high-level Japanese businessmen, will be attended by the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Uruguay, Enzo Benech, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, Ariel Bergamino, the Uruguayan ambassador in Japan, Cesar Ferrer, the executive director of Uruguay XXI, Antonio Carámbula and the president of INAC, Federico Stanham, in addition to the delegation of Uruguayan exporting companies that will participate in Foodex.

Along with the cocktail of typical products, there will be a tango show, music and dance native to Uruguay.