“If we don’t break anything we will continue to grow, Uruguay “It has a very good international reputation.” With this optimistic tone, a senior leader of an international bank with an important presence in the country spoke with professionals from consulting firms and other officials, in their offices in the Old City.
He banking business It comes from an exceptional year like 2023 and this year 2024 is also projected to be very good, but there are certain resentments about the electoral cycle. And it is not so much the partisan politics that is most worrying, but the plebiscite for social security. “You call that breaking up? a lawyer asked in response to the comment. The answer was implicit. “We must remember what happened in Argentina, A few years ago: the country went backwards a lot due to having expropriated the pension funds; Uruguay “You can’t go the same way.”
In the banking environment, the words of the pre-candidate of the Frente Amplio, Yamandu Orsiraising his disagreement with the call promoted by the PIT-CNT. “I don’t know who will win the elections, but he is the candidate who leads the opposition polls; and Gabriel Oddone “He understands this matter perfectly,” he added. “And Orsi? asked an economist, concerned about political issues. “Orsi has Oddone,” another added.
“Uruguay is not attracting attention: when Argentina devalued we thought there was going to be a greater impact here, but the dollar It almost didn’t even move (…) And many millions of dollars are coming in in investments,” added the banker.
The talk then led to the news that the changes in the payment system. “A type of service is coming Pix, which is very popular in Brazil, but in the Uruguayan way and where all the actors in the financial ecosystem will participate,” reported an accountant. “Means of payment for QR They will come to stay, with the appropriate security safeguards,” he added.
Innocent proposals
The Confederation of Business Chambers of Uruguay (CCE) presented a document titled “Agenda for Development 2025-2030”, at the Radisson Hotel. A very elaborate document, which touches on several aspects, not only economic but also social and -why not- political, such as concern about insecurity. Few pre-candidates present: Mieres (PI), Gurméndez and Silva (colored). From the National Party They sent some references. Among the businessmen there was no agreement with the repercussions; They expected a little more echo. “It is an excellent document… but a little innocent,” commented a leader with an important position in the government. “There are things that do not advance just by stating them: they are issues of political struggle,” she added.
The document proposes reducing the workforce of state officials, with the understanding that it is the only way to effectively reduce the state cost. “It is an issue that is pending and this government did not sink its teeth into it,” remarked a concerned construction businessman. “The economy is not growing and the weight of the State is becoming greater and greater (…) I don’t understand why they don’t see it,” he added in a critical tone. The official leader, at the same time, slipped: “I share what they propose, but there is no political agreement in the Uruguay for that, not even in the coalition,” he warned.
Contradictions
In the Faculty of Social Sciences They called last Tuesday for a debate on economic policy, with economists Julius Brun (former BCU, Colorado), Agustín Iturralde (PN) and Martin Vallcorba (FA). The main issues of the situation and the challenges for the next government were covered.
“It was hot, huh? The stands moved,” said a smiling graduate student who attended the event. Iturralde emphasized the liberal reforms that promoted the current government and the need to continue down that path. Vallcorba burst in there, questioning that the government has granted a concession for the container terminal exclusively to Katoen Natie, for 50 years.
“He cornered them in Iturralde,” added the student. “Yes… and it catches my attention,” commented a colleague. “Why?” she asked. “Because the technical report that Katoen Natie hired to defend the granting made it CPA.” “I don’t follow you,” the talk continued. “The report was worked on by Gabriel Oddone at CPA, who is Orsi’s candidate for Economy Minister. Don’t you think it’s a bit contradictory?” the colleague replied. The student frowned: “Uuuuh, well… aren’t you very into detail?”; She laughed and changed the subject.
Data Center
While economics and finance focus much of the political discussion, there is a sector that has its own revolution. “Another is coming Data Center, similar to that of Google, and even bigger,” said an engineer linked to the electrical sector with a certain boastful tone, while attending his niece’s graduation with a friend. “And how do you know that?” the friend asked. “Data centers are large energy consumersthat’s where I found out,” he explained.
And he added a detail that left his friend’s eyes popping: “Today the main client of UTE It is a company that does mining Crypto: a computer server center that is in Florida”, he pointed. “Where? “In the department of Florida?” the friend asked incredulously. “That’s how it is; They tell me that they will be increasingly stronger plaintiffs. Among these data centers, electric mobility and green hydrogen, that require UTE power as support, there are demand growth for a while,” he commented as the family photo with the diploma came.
“True: electric cars are tremendous… and at increasingly lower prices! I have a colleague who bought it and is delighted: she forgot about the gas expense and charges it at home (…) I wonder what will happen to it Ancap”, he reflected.
Source: Ambito
