Uruguay XXI Develops Platform to Help Companies Access Benefits Under the EU-Mercosur Agreement

The EU-Mercosur agreement opens new opportunities for Uruguay's international trade. The gradual elimination of tariffs and preferential access to one of the world's largest markets create new opportunities for Uruguayan companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to begin or expand exports to Europe.

To help companies take advantage of these opportunities, Uruguay XXI is developing a digital platform that will give exporters and prospective exporters easy access to the information they need to benefit from the agreement.

The platform was announced by Uruguay XXI Executive Director Mariana Ferreira, who said one of the main challenges will be helping companies understand the agreement's provisions and determine how they apply to their products.

By entering a tariff code or product name, users will be able to access the tariff treatment applicable to each product, including the current tariff rate and its tariff phase-out schedule, preferential tariff quotas, rules of origin, and the European Union's market access requirements.

The platform will bring all of this information together in a single location, providing practical guidance to help companies plan their export strategies, adapt to new regulatory requirements, and make the most of the commercial opportunities created by the agreement.

The initiative is particularly relevant for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Today, MSMEs account for 61% of the Uruguayan companies exporting to the European Union, although they represent only 3% of the total value of exports to that market.

The European Union is currently Uruguay's third-largest export destination for goods, with pulp, beef, and rice among its leading exports.

Companies Can Already Submit Inquiries

While the platform is still under development, Uruguay XXI has established a dedicated contact channel to answer questions about the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Companies interested in understanding how the agreement may affect their products, which preferential treatment will apply, or what requirements they must meet to access the European market can email acuerdoue@uruguayxxi.gub.uy, where they will receive technical guidance and specialized assistance.