MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay’s Science Park, an ambitious high tech development

Next Thursday will see the launching of works for Uruguay’s Science Park, an undertaking targeted to attract high tech medical and pharmaceutical industries linked to the production of drugs both for exporting and the domestic market, plus the promotion of scientific research and highly qualified jobs.

The environment-friendly Science Park is to be built on grounds covering 55 hectares, with all services, a few minutes drive from Montevideo’s international airport and 25 miles from downtown.

Buildings, labs and compounds and the overall outlay will abide by international construction standards for scientific related research and production activities.

Uruguay’s president Jose Mujica, cabinet members and business and industry representatives will be present at the ceremony for the launching of the Science Park which already has several multinational companies interested in the enterprise in the framework of Uruguay’s acknowledged political stability, compliance with contracts and clear rules of the game.

The initial development investment is estimated in 20.5 million US dollars creating 2.500 jobs in the construction project.

This innovative outlay will be followed by another 72.5 million US dollars, and 700 jobs, committed by the firms that will be the first involved in developing the Science Park facilities with their international high tech support and know-how.

Further development in the drawing boards should rapidly push investments over 150 million US dollars.

The Science Park has been defined as a strategic vision that generates an area of enterprises geared to excellence, promoting the exchange of knowledge and production development linked to science and high tech, incorporating the strictest standards related to life and health care industries.