Uruguay was present at the main business summit between China and Latin America and the Caribbean

With a delegation led by Chancellor Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Uruguay participated in China LAC 2018, the main business summit between China and Latin America and the Caribbean, which in this edition was held in the city of Zhuhai, in the south of the Asian country, from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 November.

The participation in this event took place within the framework of 30 years of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay and also included the participation of companies and institutions.

At the opening of the Summit, Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa highlighted the importance of strengthening public-private collaboration between Uruguay and China within the framework of the "One Strip, One Route" initiative.

The country stand, coordinated by Uruguay XXI, received consultations on investment opportunities in the areas of agribusiness, infrastructure, forestry, wood and renewable energy, among others. In addition, the important advantages of the country as a provider of quality goods and services were promoted. There was also a tasting of Uruguayan wines and a candombe show.

"We have had the opportunity to show our exportable offer and investment opportunities. We also participated in important discussions, especially about the initiative of the new Silk Road, which Uruguay recently joined," said the executive director of Uruguay XXI, Antonio Carámbula, on participation in China-LAC.

China is currently Uruguay's first trading partner with an exchange that reached US$2.549 billion in 2017 and is also the main cooperating country. "We have a lot to grow in terms of services. Uruguay's political, economic and social stability, its legal security and the fact that it is an investment grade country makes it an attractive gateway to the region, within the framework of the One Strip, One Route initiative. Uruguay creates conditions for companies to establish themselves and from there scale up to new business opportunities in the region," Carámbula explained.

Zonamerica, the Uruguay-China Chamber of Commerce, the National Logistics Institute (INALOG), the National Milk Institute (INALE), Carlos Picos y Asociados, Estudio Olivera, Lobraus, MMA Consulting, Mantiba, Conaprole, Anwel, UFT Corp and the Investment Promotion Agency of the Intendencia de Canelones were present in China-LAC. The companies and institutions also participated in business rounds in which they held meetings with Chinese counterparts.

As part of this visit to China, Zonamerica China's president, Gabriel Rozman, signed an agreement on Friday, November 2, with the government of Zhuhai to open an office in this city, in addition to the one already operating in Foshan as a platform for Latin Americans to sell in China.

Uruguay hosted China LAC in 2017 and was the country that reached the highest number of participants among all the editions held in Latin America, with more than 2,400 participants including foreign and national businessmen, trade organizations, authorities and the media.

The delegation will also participate from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 November in the first fair for Chinese importers, China International Import Expo, in Shanghai. There will be a country stand and there will also be an event to promote the exportable offer.