“We understand that the country requires progress in key aspects, some specific and short-term, others that imply consensus and State policies, which allow structural changes towards the future,” states the text, which was accessed Ambitand that lists “priorities” of the Uruguayan export complex.
It should be noted that, from the Union of Exporters, they have been holding periodic meetings with the different pre-candidates for the presidency and their technical teams in order to agree on a work agenda. The union is not the only one that has published an agenda for political parties to take into account. Two days ago, the Rural Federation and weeks ago Chamber of Industries.
What are the points where there should be improvements, according to exporters?
Although the UEU lists several variables that make it attractive Uruguay As an investment destination, the sector is considered key to consolidating a growth without poverty and with a better educational level.
“To achieve sustainable export development, it is essential to improve the conditions of competitiveness and the country’s international insertion,” he points out.
There are five points on which he proposes the next president of the Republic to work: improving international insertion, reduce logistics costs and increase the connectivitylower production costs and promote competition, consolidate the macroeconomic stability and promote a sustainable development.
Dollar and fiscal institutions
It is known that the exchange delay –calculated at 15% according to the Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU)- is one of the biggest headaches for the main economic sectors, which have been demanding policies to correct it for years.
“We consider that monetary policy must be in tune with the local and international macroeconomic situation, avoiding exchange rate misalignments “that harm the productive export sector,” the exporters urge after remembering the gap that was reached due to the difference in the price of the dollar in the local and global markets in 2022, which was maintained last year. “This goes hand in hand with a change in governance and independence of the BCU“, they emphasize.
In line with other business chambers, the Union of Exporters defended the free floating exchange ratebut urged the monetary authorities to develop mechanisms for managing large foreign investments to avoid their impact on the foreign exchange market of the Uruguay.
Regarding the so-called new fiscal institutionality, the export union proposes reviewing the public spending efficiency. “The focus should be on expenditures, since the tax burden is high and we propose lowering it. We believe that this is the way to reduce the fiscal deficit and achieve a controlled trajectory of public debt,” he points out.
The union, led by Facundo Marquezalso highlighted the importance of maintaining the current social security reform as a central element of reducing the fiscal deficit.
A new round against the port of Montevideo
In their document, exporters return to the fray with another of their main agenda items: logistics costs at ports, especially that of Montevideo. According to UEU studies, the costs of operating in its terminals are four times more expensive compared to comparative regional ports, such as Río Grande in Brazil or San Antonio in Chile.
In this regard, they urge the executive branch and the National Ports Administration (ANP) to take measures to ensure port competitiveness. To do this, exporters reintroduced the discussion around the creation of a port services regulatory unit (URSEP), which would have “control, inspection, complaint and sanction powers, which were not contemplated in the original project.”
Source: Ambito
