Προφίλ συναλλασσόμενης χώρας Ουρουγουάη

Setting up a company | FDI in figures | Why you should choose to invest | Procedures relative to foreign investment | Finding assistance for further information

Setting up a company

Types of companies and capital (max/min)	Number of partners/shareholders and liability
Sociedad Anonima Commun is a Public Limited Company. USD 10,000	No minimum Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) is a Private Limited Company. USD 10,000	No minimum Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Sociedad Colectiva (SC) is a general partnership. None	Minimum 2 Liability is unlimited for all partners
Sociedad en Commandita Simple (SCS) is a limited partnership. USD 800	Minimum 2 Liability is limited tfor all partners

Business setup procedures

Setting up a company	Ουρουγουάη	Latin America & Caribbean
Procedures (number)	11	9.3
Time (days)	65	56.7

πηγή: Doing Business.

For further information: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Uruguay.
Department of Public Registers
The competent organization: Company's registration shall be done at the following institutions:

- DGI (Direccion general impositiva) (General Tax Office);
- BPS (Banco de seguro del Estado) (State Insurance Bank);
- MTSS (Government ministry of work);
- MEC (Government ministry of education and culture at the register of the legal representatives of the commercial section).

FDI in figures

Foreign Direct Investment	2008	2009	2010
FDI of inward flow (millions USD)	1839.9870425711	1592.668383	2354.753157
FDI inward stock (millions USD)	8788	12536	14830
Performance Index*, ranking on 141 economies	49/141	51/141	-
Potential Index**, ranking on 141 economies	74/141	-	-
Number of Greenfield investments***	16	8	-
FDI inwards (in % of GFCF****)	29.1708751562703	43.5473659575741	-
FDI stock (in % of GDP)	28.1868147143079	31.5028496618279	-

πηγή:

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance index is based on a ratio of the country's share in global FDI inflows and its share in global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential index is based on 12 economic and structural variables such as GDP, foreign trade, FDI, infrastructures, energy use, R&D, education, country risk.*** Green field investments are a form of foreign direct investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up. **** Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) measures the value of additions to fixed assets purchased by business, government and households less disposals of fixed assets sold off or scrapped.

Why you should choose to invest Uruguay

Strong points: The main strong points of Uruguay are:
-The outstanding educational and health systems;
- The new laws that regulate the relationship among business partners;
- Its economic stability. Uruguay is among the first nations in Latin America to reach a certain level of stability and economic well-being, maintained by a relatively high taxation on the industrial sector. During the last years, Uruguay's economy has benefited from a favorable international environment for the export of its agricultural products;
- Positive growth perspectives. Uruguay benefits from an increase in domestic consumption, export development, high level and diversified investments and less dependence of Mercosur.
Weak points: The main weak point of Uruguay is the high proportion of its foreign debt, which is subject to the fluctuations in trade and sudden changes in foreign currency exchange.
Government measures to motivate or restrict FDI: Foreign investors have the possibility of developing any type of activity and in the same conditions as local investors. In some areas protected by the state, foreign investors can start activities within the framework of the concessions system of the public working market. The government stimulates foreign investment by proposing tax exemptions on their investments.

Procedures relative to foreign investment

Freedom of establishment: Yes
Acquisition of holdings: A majority holding interest in the capital of a local company is legal in Uruguay.
Obligation to declare: The Uruguay XXI body was specifically created to guide foreign investors through authorizations and formalities needed for implantation. This body has a centralizing role for all administrations and ministries to facilitate all procedures.
Competent organization for the declaration: Central Bank of Uruguay.
State department of finance and economy.
Requests for specific authorizations: The ownership of companies developing activities relative to radio or television channels is limited to Uruguayan citizens.

Finding assistance for further information

Investment aid agency: General Small and medium company office for ministry of industry
Uruguay Investment and Export Promotion Agency (in Spanish)
Other useful resources: Commerce chamber of Uruguay.