For many Uruguayans living in the New York area, the 25th August is not only an important day to remember their origins, but also a day to meet old and new friends, alike.
US-based entrepreneur Steve Bowman and his wife, Chris, looked in Panama and researched other tropical locales before they bought property in Piriápolis, Uruguay’s old resort town, 18 months ago. Their reasons for choosing Uruguay included the country’s stability and relatively unspoiled coastline, as well as the friendly people.
Uruguayan cruise operators believe the coming season could unveil some interesting surprises in spite of the global recession. The fall in value of the US dollar compared to the strength of the Euro and Latinamerican currencies could see a drastic change in the nationality of visitors with Europeans and Latinamericans compensating the US deficit.
The Uruguayan ruling coalition Broad Front seems to have recovered momentum and leads in public opinion polls with 44% vote intention, although the opposition is still ahead with 47%, according to the latest survey published Monday in one of Montevideo’s dailies.
Uruguay is forecasted to contract 0.8% in 2009 and rebound 1.5% next year according to chief economist for South America from the Spanish banking group BBVA, Joaquín Vial
Uruguay remains as a most attractive country for Argentine investors because of its business opportunities, logical taxing system and absence of export levies plus its geographical closeness, according to Luis Bonetto Argentine investment advisor and expert in agriculture.
Mexico president Felipe Calderón and Uruguay’s Tabare Vazquez signed on Friday in Montevideo a Strategic Association accord to strengthen political dialogue and bilateral trade relations in the framework of the 2004 free trade agreement.
A third operator could be joining Lan and Sky Airline in cargo and passenger traffic between Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas, according to an official request presented before Chile’s Civil Aeronautics Agency last July 24, reports La Prensa Austral.
The Uruguayan ruling coalition presidential candidate Jose Mujica said Brazilian president Lula da Silva promised to help speed power inter-connection between the two neighbouring countries, in the framework of Mercosur, in spite of Argentina’s non supportive attitude. He also underlined Mercosur depends on Brazil’s willingness.
Uruguay’s ruling coalition has a ten point lead for October’s presidential election with 44% of the vote followed by the main opposition National party with 34%. However if the tendency is confirmed, a run off is inevitable in November according to Equipo Mori pollsters.