Sales Offshore - Countries Available - Latin America

Especially European in character, the Republic of Uruguay is located in South America on the continent’s south-eastern coast between Brazil and Argentina. Its standard of living is very often compared to that of Western Europe, and - both politically and economically - it is a peaceful, stable country.

Historically Uruguay has been known as the Little Switzerland of Latin America, with no income tax or capital gains tax to pay. This attracted a lot of money from all over the region, and most of the main banks are represented here to handle their large client base. Few Latin American countries can boast the stability and safety that Uruguay enjoys.

Officially known as the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, the country borders Brazil to the north, the Uruguay River to the west, the estuary of the Río de la Plata to the southwest, Argentina on the other bank of both, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. About half of its populace lives in the capital - and largest city - Montevideo. The nation is the second smallest independent country in South America, after Suriname, and is one of the region’s most politically and economically stable countries.

Multinational, Broad-Minded and Highly Literate

The vast majority of Uruguayans are of European decent; the country is a multinational culture as a result of these many repeated European migrations. The nation boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the world, and its populace is ranked as the most educated in South America.

Uruguay features an open society, encouraging broad-mindedness and non-discrimination towards foreigners, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs.

Uruguayans are repeatedly described in the most positive terms. One long-term expat executive there termed the populace “…a very attractive people with warm hearts and an inherent sense of sharing.”

Strong Economy

The Uruguayan economy is distinguished by a thriving agricultural sector, an erudite workforce, and robust social spending, and an advanced industrial sector. The country’s financial gauges continue to be more stable than those of its neighbouring countries, an indicator of its firm standing among investors and its investment-grade sovereign bond rating - one of only two in South America.

Recently, Uruguay became the leading exporter of software in Latin America, a reflection of the shift of the country’s focus toward developing the commercial use of IT technologies. In addition, Uruguay’s labour and political situations are among the freest in South America.

Business Advantages

Uruguay is incessantly termed as a great place to do business. Among the country’s often-cited advantages and positive attributes:

Leading exporter of software and IT services to Latin America.
Top country in South America and sixth in the world in terms of its digital telephone network.
Second country in Latin America with regards to the number of internet users per 10.000 inhabitants.
First country in South America and second in Latin America for number of PC users per 100 inhabitants.
Strategic location for supplying goods in the Southern Cone (i.e. Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay).
One of the best educated work forces in Latin America (including an overall 97% literacy rate).
100% repatriation of capital and profits.
No restrictions on foreign trade operations.
Ranked second in Latin America in Transparency for foreign investors.
No income tax.

Also, Montevideo has been ranked the safest city among 30 cities throughout the world in a variety of surveys.

Montevideo

Montevideo has an approximate population of 1.4 million. The capital city’s population comprises roughly 44% of the entire country. Montevideo has earned the title as the second "best city in South America in providing quality of life".

Buenos Aires is only a 30-minute flight away; Sao Paulo, only 2½ hours; and Santiago, a mere two hours flying time.

Montevideo has a large and very quickly expanding service industry sector. With a exceedingly large number of prestigious banks and other large international businesses centred there, Montevideo is widely considered to be the main service industry hub in the region. Call centres that serve Latin America and the U.S. are also in abundance.

Uruguayan locals often while their leisure hours away with big parties in the old town of Montevideo, where there is generally a hearty staple diet of fantastic steak and smooth rich red wine. The European mix to the population blends many Italian, German Spanish and English cultures together.

Montevideo is positioned on the widest river mouth in the world, the River Plate, which runs from deep into Brazil, and south-east to split Argentina and Uruguay. The city has a sizeable port and many top-quality beaches.

The most well known resort is Punta del Este, known as the playground for the rich and famous from Latin America.

Temperate Climate

Uruguay’s location in the Austral Temperate Zone of the Southern Hemisphere provides it with a mild climate. The average temperature in spring is 17°C; in Autumn 18° and in Winter 12°. Extreme temperatures are rare - with an occasional reading of 40° in the summer and 2° or 3° below zero in winter.

The Uruguayan people are known for being open and solicitous to visitors and expat residents alike. The populace – by and large - follows simple and familiar habits, is a lover of life in the open air and an enthusiast of sports. Football is the national sport and the national passion. As for gastronomic delights, the famous "churrasco" (beef steak) and “asado con cuero” (grilled beef with the skin), made with excellent Uruguayan beef, are the favourites.

Uruguay – and specifically Montevideo – is a great place for Sales professionals, in every way possible.

For further information about Uruguay we recommend that you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguay where you will find many useful links and informative articles to prepare you for your move.