Official delegation completes its agenda at Expo Dubai

Within the framework of Uruguay's presence at Expo Dubai 2020, the first universal exhibition to be held in the United Arab Emirates, the country carried out an official mission led by the Uruguayan President, Luis Lacalle Pou, who participated in official meetings with Emirati authorities, investment forums and netwoking events.

The mission included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Bustillo, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Azucena Arbeleche, the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Omar Paganini, the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Fernando Mattos, and the Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera. The executive director and deputy director of the investment, export and country image promotion agency, Uruguay XXI, Sebastián Risso and Inés Bonicelli, respectively, also participated.

During the mission, a highlight was the celebration of Uruguay Day at Expo Dubai, which took place on 21 February and included a protocol ceremony, visits to the Uruguayan pavilion and an artistic and cultural show that brought together members of the National Ballet, the National Choir and the Sodre Chamber Music Ensemble, with the show Suite Gardel, a tribute to the 100th anniversary of La Cumparsita, the most famous tango in the world.

The National Day celebrations began with speeches by the general commissioner of Expo Dubai, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, and then President Luis Lacalle Pou, who was accompanied, in addition to authorities, by more than 50 Uruguayan companies.

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Sheikh Nahayan opened the event by highlighting the importance of Uruguay's participation. He pointed to the country as an example of sustainability in Latin America and the world, and thanked Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, as well as the director of Uruguay XXI and curator of the pavilion, Sebastián Risso.

He also stressed that Uruguay is a world reference in renewable energies, agro-intelligence, technological innovation and digital government.

Meanwhile, the Uruguayan president stressed that his country is ready to offer the world the necessary elements to be free. "You are not free if you do not have food, if you do not have peaceful relations, if you do not have the capacity to generate state-of-the-art technology, you are not free if you do not have the possibility to move", he said.

Within the framework of the official mission, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries to expand economic cooperation and to encourage, promote and facilitate effective cooperation in the areas of trade, industry and services.

In addition, the business forum "Emirates & Uruguay: gateway to middle east and Latam" was organized by the investment promotion agency for exports and country image, Uruguay XXI. The activity included welcoming remarks by the executive director of Uruguay XXI, Sebastián Risso, followed by presentations by the Minister of Economy, Azucena Arbeleche, and the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Omar Paganini.

In her presentation, Minister Arbeleche pointed out that Uruguay is a favorable and open place for private investment. "We have sufficient liquidity, we are very stable and we do not change policies," she said.

She pointed out that Uruguay is open to negotiate with all regions of the world and that it is backed by its good performance in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) indicators, which refer to environmental (including climate change), social and governance indices (such as control of corruption, respect for the rule of law or quality of democracy) and socially responsible investments. He also underscored its logistical benefits, since Uruguay has privileged maritime, air and land entry points and the only free ports in the region make it the best option for supplying the continent from there.

For his part, the Minister of Industry, Omar Paganini, highlighted Uruguay's progress in renewable energies, technology and audiovisual production. "Uruguay has been exporting software and IT services in general for more than 30 years," he said.

In addition to the first-class networking, the guests were able to enjoy a cocktail with top-quality Uruguayan cheeses, meats, rice and wines.

Uruguay's activities at Expo Dubai 2020 counted with the collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which was especially committed to the promotion and communication of the country at this global event. 

Accompanying and supporting this mission were Bodega Garzón, the National Meat Institute (INAC), Conaprole, the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU), the National Wine Institute (INAVI), ANTEL, Banco República Oriental del Uruguay, UTE and the rice agro-industrial company, COOPAR.

Uruguay will participate until March 31 in Expo Dubai, a universal exhibition that brings together more than 200 participants, including countries, multilateral organizations, companies and educational institutions. Uruguay will be presented there as a business center in South America and a reference in agro-intelligent production, technologies and clean energies. Under the slogan "Test Uruguay", it invites attendees to learn first-hand about its essentially innovative character, with qualified talent and open doors for those who choose it to live, work and invest.