In the first half of this year the number of overseas tourists arriving in Uruguay increased 13.7% compared to the same period in 2007, according to Benjamin Liberoff, chief advisor of the country's Ministry of Tourism.
Uruguay ordered this week the temporary freezing of all activities of the Spanish pulp company ENCE, following the discovery of the uprooting of an 80 hectares patch of native forest which is strictly protected under Uruguayan law.
Uruguay's fishing industry has come under the spotlight of the Montevideo and Spanish police narcotics departments following the arrest of a Spanish citizen and the discovery of containers to be exported with 300 kilos of cocaine hidden among the frozen fish.
During the first seven months of this year Uruguay meat exports totaled 983 million US dollars, 54% higher than the same period in 2007, of which beef represents 84% and lamb 4%, according to the country's Nacional Institute of Meats, INAC.
New Zealand Farming Systems Uruguay today posted a net after tax profit of $US1.6 million ($NZ2.3m) for the year to June 30, boosted by earnings of $US8m from milk sales, at record prices of about US40c a litre.
Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez approval rate stands at 56%, which is considered exceptional for Uruguayan politics, particularly since the leader of the ruling coalition is 18 months away from the end of his five year mandate.
The Uruguayan government is planning to implement a program of permit-requests for the sowing of soybeans the coming season as part of a plan for the conservation of the soil sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez confirmed Monday that Economy minister Danilo Astori would be leaving his post next September 15th but at the same time emphasized that there would be no changes to the current macroeconomic policy to which his administration has been successfully committed.
Neighboring Uruguay and Argentina have again clashed over trade in the framework of Mercosur. Argentina is complaining about a 2% consular levy Uruguay applies to all imports while Uruguayan authorities argue that the controversial farm export taxes distort market conditions.
Uruguay's exchange rate which has a significant influence for the country's exports has advanced strongly against virtually all of its trade partners with the exception of Brazil.