China wants to boost its investments in South America and that is why it is betting that Uruguay will be one of the main gateways to the region. That is why the Chinese government intensified talks with local authorities in different activities.
Now the Minister of Industry Carolina Cosse traveled to the Asian country with an official delegation and about 30 entrepreneurs in the field of technology. The objective of the mission is to deepen diplomatic relations, but mainly to pave the way for private companies to do business and exchange know-how.
Minister Cosse told El País by telephone that she is observing a very good disposition from Chinese companies and authorities. "It is a very important step in building a strategic partnership between Uruguay and China. For our country it is significantly important, Uruguay offers a good platform for the entry of investments of different sizes and sectors," the minister explained.
One of China's interests is that Uruguay develops the artificial intelligence industry in order to sell services and products from the Asian country. In that sense Cosse said that it was agreed on the part of Chinese companies a series of scholarships for Uruguayan engineering students. The project is from one of the most important global telecommunications companies: Huawei. The "seed" scholarship project is for non-advanced engineering students to take courses in Beijing.
Cosse also met with another telecommunications powerhouse, the firm ZTE. The minister invited to meet the Uruguayan software industry, which she described as having great potential and professionalism.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the good development of Uruguayan technology companies has made conversations with their Chinese counterparts to be "equal to equal".
"I am humbled by the degree of software development we are showing here in China. We are in front of a world power. Our compatriots are at the first world level in this area and the Chinese are recognizing that. The dialogues are peer-to-peer and are leaving Uruguay in a very good position", explained the Minister of Industry.
In December, more than 700 Chinese businessmen and authorities came to Uruguay to participate in the "China-LAC" event. The venue was Punta del Este. Cosse said that this is happening because of the good possibilities offered by the country for the landing of investments.
"They see Uruguay's stability as a great opportunity, and we are reinforcing that point. There are already many Chinese investments but we aim to develop more," said Cosse. In the coming hours he will hold a meeting with executives of the car company Lifan with whom he will discuss the possibility of setting up an electric car assembly plant in Uruguay.
The minister commented that Uruguay is highlighted by Chinese authorities and companies for the development of telecommunications. "From the outside you can see what we are doing. You see the submarine cable, you see the Data Center, you see the Ceibal Plan," she said.
Cosse will meet tomorrow with the Minister of Industry and Telecommunications to discuss infrastructure projects.
The bidding process for the reconstruction of the central railway connecting Paso de los Toros with the port of Montevideo is currently open. The main Chinese construction companies have already expressed their interest in participating in the bidding process to the Uruguayan government authorities.
On the other hand, on Saturday, the President of the Republic, Tabaré Vázquez, exchanged letters with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations. The head of state recalled the need to strengthen the strategic alliance.
In terms of trade, the possibility of studying a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is being considered.
Recently, Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa raised the possibility that the trade agreement will be with the entire Mercosur. The minister said that if the countries of the bloc are not prepared to make negotiations at the same pace, Uruguay will deepen trade negotiations between the two countries.
On 14 January the Chinese foreign minister visited Montevideo and the Uruguayan authorities are working to arrange a visit by the Chinese head of state, which, if it happens, would be an important signal for the region.
Source: El País
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