Brazilian companies highlight Uruguay as a reliable platform for long-term investment and regional expansion

During the Uruguay Value Proposition event, organized by Uruguay XXI in São Paulo, representatives of Brazilian companies operating in Uruguay shared their experiences investing and expanding regionally from the country. They particularly emphasized Uruguay’s institutional stability, predictability, and competitive advantages for long-term projects.

Among the participants in the business panel was Eduardo Gil, Senior VP of Private Equity at Pátria Investimentos, one of Latin America’s largest alternative asset managers, with investments in sectors including infrastructure, energy, logistics, agribusiness, and technology.

Gil explained that the decision to establish operations in Uruguay came after evaluating more than ten international jurisdictions, including countries in Latin America, the United States, and offshore financial centers.

“The main focus for us was the long-term sustainability of the model. Beyond the tax aspect, we needed a country in Latin America from which we could operate regionally and offer predictability to our investors,” he said.

Gil emphasized that institutional and legal stability were decisive factors for the company, particularly given the long-term horizon of private equity funds.

“For investment structures lasting ten or twelve years, it is essential to have clear and enduring rules. What matters is that those rules remain consistent across administrations, regardless of who is in power,” he stated.

José Ignacio Scoseria, CFO of Marfrig’s MBRF, one of the world’s leading food companies and among the largest beef producers and exporters globally, also discussed the company’s internationalization process and recalled that Uruguay was the first destination chosen outside Brazil.

“The company’s first step toward international expansion was Uruguay. At that time, the company was beginning its growth process and decided to establish its first international operation in the country,” he explained.

Since its first acquisition in 2006, Marfrig has continued to expand in Uruguay through new investments and organic growth, becoming one of the country’s leading exporters, employers, and foreign investors.

Scoseria also highlighted the competitive advantages Uruguay offers for the meat processing and agricultural export industries.

“Uruguay has intrinsic strengths that are highly relevant to the sector. It is a strategic industry for the country’s economy and has access to high-quality raw materials, which is essential for our business,” he said.

The executive noted that, despite the country’s small size, the meat industry plays a major role in the Uruguayan economy and accounts for nearly 20% of national exports.

These testimonials were shared during a panel featuring Brazilian companies operating in Uruguay, held in São Paulo, where executives and officials discussed the opportunities the country offers as a regional hub for business, innovation, and international expansion.

Brazil is a strategic partner and investor in Uruguay, with more than 100 Brazilian companies established in the country across sectors such as industry, energy, agribusiness, services, infrastructure, and tourism. This presence reflects confidence in a business environment characterized by political, macroeconomic, and legal stability, as well as clear and predictable regulations.