The President of the Republic valued the installation of a venture of this type in the northeast of the country, not only because of the volume of investment about 136 million dollars but also because of its capacity to generate jobs.
During its construction, between 250 and 300 jobs will be created. In the production stage, whose start is estimated for 2026, about 320 people will be employed, the majority from the area.
"I want this to be a source of optimism and hope," the president said at a press conference. In this regard, he indicated that the data allow us to look to the future with optimism. As an example, he said that in 2022 Uruguay grew at a faster rate than the world average, exports remained at a record level and that "Uruguay, after the pandemic, has less unemployment than it had before this began." government".
He also expressed that the announced investment "is one more anchor for Cerro Largo." The chief reported that he has received other expressions of interest in investing in this area of ​​the country.
He also recalled that road infrastructure works are being carried out in the region, that modernization works are planned at the Melo airport and that the lagoons waterway is being finalized.
Lacalle Pou emphasized the legal security and social and political stability of the country, which allows private companies to trust Uruguay as a destination for their investments. Likewise, he recalled that the plant to be built will start operating in 2026.
“No one knows who will be the government. We do know that in Uruguay contracts and laws will be respected and that Uruguayans will continue to exist, in this case, people from the department of Cerro Largo and the city of Melo, eager to give their bestâ€, he stated.
In addition, he highlighted the fact that investments such as the one announced move the economy and the dynamics of the region. On this point, he stated that training opportunities will be opened — since the plant will require qualified workers — and also growth for businesses and services in the area.
In this sense, Delgado highlighted the decentralizing nature with which the national government promotes investments. With the adaptation of infrastructure that is carried out in the interior of the country, an attempt is made to generate opportunities throughout the territory, he asserted.
“What we are changing is the paradigm. You can settle in the interior, 400 kilometers away, in the deepest Uruguay, and you will have the connectivity, infrastructure and logistics conditions to be competitiveâ€, he expressed.
The industrial facility where plywood boards will be produced will be located about 12 kilometers from Melo, to the south, on Route 8, according to the company's executive director (CEO). It is estimated that the works begin in 2023 and that the production begins in 2026.
The infrastructure will be similar to that of the company in Tacuarembó. The firm has been working in Uruguay for more than 25 years and manages some 120,000 hectares of pine and eucalyptus in Tacuarembó, Rivera, Cerro Largo and Treinta y Tres. ■