Oriental Republic of Uruguay

- A4
Abhinav Mishra
Ankit Jodawat
Kushal D. Sankhe
Shambhu Mandal
Shivraj Chavan
 Profile of the Country
• Geography
Area: 176,220 sq. km. (68,000 sq. mi.)
Capital--Montevideo (est. pop. 1.34 million).
Terrain: Plains and low hills, fertile coastal
lowland; 84% agricultural.
Climate: Temperate.
 ……Contd
• People
Nationality: Uruguayan(s).
Population (July 2008): 3.3 million.

Annual growth rate: 0.3%.

Ethnic groups (1997): European descent 93.2%, African descent 5.9%, indigenous
descent 0.4%, Asian descent 0.4%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 66%, Protestant and other Christian 2%, Jewish 1%, non
professing or other 31%.

Language: Spanish.
Education: Literacy (2007)--98%.
Health (2007): Life expectancy--75.85 yrs. Infant mortality rate (2006)--10.5/1,000.
Work force (1.6 million, 2008): Commerce, restaurants, and hotels
21%; manufacturing, gas, and electricity--14%; agriculture, fishing, and mining
11%; construction--7%.
 ….contd
• Government
Type: Constitutional republic.
Independence: August 25, 1825.
Constitution: First 1830, current 1967, most recently amended January
1997.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of
government). Legislative--General Assembly elected by proportional
representation consisting of a 99-seat Chamber of Deputies and a 30-seat
Senate. Judicial--Supreme Court of Justice.
Administrative subdivisions: 19 departments with limited autonomy.
Political parties/coalitions: Colorado Party, Blanco (National) Party, Frente
Amplio, Independent Party.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at 18.
 ….contd
• Economy
Gross domestic product (GDP): $31.5 billion (2009); $31.2 billion (2008); $23.9 billion (2007);
$19.8 billion (2006); $17.4 billion (2005).

Annual growth rate: 2.9% (2009); 8.9% (2008); 7.6% (2007); 4.6% (2006); 7.5% (2005).
Per capita GDP: $9,457 (2009); $9,357 (2008); $7,209 (2007); $5,977 (2006); $5,254 (2005);
$4,146 (2004).

Natural resources: Arable land, pastures, hydroelectric power, granite, marble, fisheries.
Agriculture (9% of GDP): Products--beef, wool, rice, wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, fish, forestry.
Industry (14% of GDP): Types--food processing, electrical machinery, wool, textiles, leather,
leather apparel, beverages and tobacco, chemicals, cement, petroleum products, transportation
equipment.

Services: Commerce, restaurants and hotels--14% of GDP. Construction--7% of GDP. Other

services--56% of GDP. 

Trade: Exports (2009, f.o.b.)--$5.5 billion ($6.5 billion including exports of cellulose pulp and
beverage concentrates from free trade zones): beef, rice, dairy products, wood, soy and leather.
Major markets--Brazil , Argentina, China, Russia, Venezuela, U.S. 
Imports (2009, c.i.f.)--$6.9 billion: oil, planes, telephony equipment, insecticides, vehicles, paper,
plastics. Major suppliers--Brazil, Argentina, China, United States, Venezuela. 
 People and Etiquettes
• The majority of the people are middle class; the
extremes of wealth and poverty found in most
other South American countries don't exist.
• Uruguayans take a pragmatic, utilitarian and
materialistic approach to life. They have an inherent
trust of people and a strong belief in social justice.
• A great deal of emphasis is placed on education.
Uruguay has the best-educated workforce on the
continent.
 Meeting and Greeting

• Greetings are warm and accompanied by a

firm handshake.
• Friends kiss once on the right cheek when
meeting.
• People do not greet strangers when passing
on the street. Greeting or smiling at a stranger
may be misunderstood.
 Body Language

• Uruguayans stand very close when conversing, both

socially and in business.
• People touch shoulders and hold arms while they talk to
each other.
• Never sit on or put your feet up on a ledge, desk or table.
• The “ch-ch” sound is used to get someone's attention or
to get a bus to stop.
• The North American “O.K.” sign is extremely rude.
• You may see people brush the backs of their hands under
their chins to signal “I don't know.”
 Corporate Culture

• Meetings are extremely formal, but don't usually start on time. However,
be sure to arrive on time.
• Kinship and friendship play a major role in business transactions. Expertise
and experience are less important than who you are.
• Present business cards to everyone in a meeting.
• Be ready to make small talk before the business discussions begin.
• Many executives will speak English, but arrange for an interpreter.
• Print all materials in Spanish, from business cards to brochures.
• Hire a local contact to help you in the business community and to navigate
you through red tape.
• A highly trained and educated businessperson may be working at a low-
level position due to exile, imprisonment or political affiliation. Do not ask
questions.
 Dining and Entertainment

• People are very casual about time for social events. An

invitation for 9:00 p.m. usually means to arrive by 10:00 p.m.
Uruguayans usually dine at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.
• Uruguayans are comfortable conducting business over lunch.
• Business dinners are to socialize. Do not talk business unless
your host initiates the conversation.
• It is extremely impolite to use a toothpick in public.
• If an Uruguayan invites you to his/her home for coffee after
dinner, don't stay late on a work night. Be alert for cues from
your counterpart that tell you he/she is tired and wants to
end the night.
 Dress

• Uruguayans dress conservatively and seldom wear

the bright colors popular elsewhere in South America.
• Women may not wear nylons during the summer. If
your Uruguayan colleagues do not wear ties or jackets
in the summer, you may follow.
• For business, men should wear conservative, dark
suits and ties.
• Women should wear blouses with dark suits, skirts
and dresses.
 Gifts
• Everyone likes North American jeans.
• Women love flowers, especially roses. A rare,
salmon-colored tea rose is a favorite.
• It is polite and common for guests to send candy
or flowers to a hostess before the occasion.
• Gift giving is not an important part of doing
business. Give scotch (Black Label or Chivas
Regal) and gifts made in the United States,
especially from your region.
 Helpful Hints

• Uruguayans are extremely political people.

Ask about politics.
• Ask questions about Uruguay. People are very
proud of their country.
• Don't confuse Paraguay and Uruguay.