More than 80 Uruguayan companies participated in the Uruguay–China Trade and Investment Forum in Beijing on February 3, alongside Chinese counterparts. The event was co-organized by Uruguay XXI and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). It took place during an official mission led by President Yamandú Orsi and marked the 38th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Uruguay and China. The forum aimed to foster new trade and investment opportunities.
The opening session was moderated by Wang Li, Deputy Director of Bilateral Cooperation at the China Chamber of International Commerce. Liu Jiannan, Vice President of CCPIT, and Mariana Ferreira, Executive Director of Uruguay XXI, gave remarks emphasizing the positive momentum in bilateral relations and prospects for expanding economic cooperation.
Mariana Ferreira presented Uruguay’s value proposition under the theme “Uruguay to the World: Quality, Innovation, and Natural Resources.” She described Uruguay as “a reliable and predictable partner for international investors and buyers,” highlighting its political stability, transparency, rule of law, infrastructure, and business environment.
Ferreira also discussed Uruguay’s performance in international rankings related to democracy, low corruption perception, civil liberties, social mobility, and e-government development. She said that skilled human capital and a high quality of life support competitiveness and attract long-term investment.
She noted that Uruguay offers ease of doing business through access to regional and global markets, financial freedom, investment incentives, and a growing innovation ecosystem. Ferreira pointed out Uruguay’s commitment to sustainability: “the country is a regional leader in ESG standards among emerging economies,” with an energy matrix largely based on renewable sources.
Regarding trade relations with China, Ferreira stated that China is Uruguay’s main trading partner. In 2025, exports from Uruguay to China reached USD 3.493 billion—26% of total exports. China accounted for 86% of Uruguay’s soybean exports; it was also the leading destination for pulp exports and one of the most important markets for Uruguayan beef.
On investment ties, Ferreira highlighted increasing Chinese company activity in sectors such as meat processing, agribusiness, commodities trading, logistics infrastructure, telecommunications, IT, biotechnology, energy transition activities—and emphasized Uruguay’s investment-grade status along with its stable legal framework.
The Uruguayan delegation included companies from agriculture; livestock; meat; poultry; aquaculture; foreign trade; wholesale/retail; e-commerce; manufacturing; textiles/construction; ICTs; biotechnology; logistics/transport/port services; business services; food/beverages; energy/fuels; tourism.
Uruguay XXI was represented by Deputy Executive Director Martín Mercado as well as Export Manager Pablo Pereira and Export Promotion Specialist Analía Bello. They held meetings with Chinese counterparts during the visit.
The forum concluded with a business matchmaking session designed to facilitate exchanges between Uruguayan and Chinese companies regarding cooperation opportunities or potential projects.
According to organizers: “Through this forum, Uruguay XXI reaffirmed its role as the country’s lead agency for international economic promotion,” advancing efforts to deepen ties with China while creating opportunities for productive sectors in Uruguay.
