The international company Gloria will convert the former Ecolat dairy plant, in Nueva Helvecia, Uruguay with an investment close to 5 million dollars and an increase in the number of employees, informed the Minister of Livestock Fernando Mattos.
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"It is equipment and technology to have a production line for preparing and packaging cheese, which goes beyond its traditional format, which adds value," he said.
Mattos held on January 30 a meeting with the Undersecretary of Industry, Energy and Mining, Walter Verri; the president of the National Milk Institute, Daniel Vago; the director of the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Max Sapolinski; the president of the Peruvian investment group Gloria, Jorge Rodríguez, and the manager of the company, Alfredo Montoya.
The minister indicated, in an interview with Presidential Communication that the objective was to present the company's project on the reconversion of its venture in the Nueva Helvecia plant by increasing the workforce, in principle, by 20 employees.
The hierarch explained that the plant will have an automatic portion-controlled slicing system with special containers, in order to add value to production and achieve a plot in the national and international markets with higher remuneration.
The company also seeks to formalize the work of artisan cheese makers, cooperating in their technical training, to ensure safety and improve quality.
Mattos highlighted that Gloria operates in the dairy, agro-industrial and alcohol and sugar production sectors, as well as cement and logistics, in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.
In addition, he pointed out that it is an important business group, which appreciates in Uruguay the guarantees of stability, tranquility and certainty, essential for foreign capital.
"It is the search for a solution to the poor results that the cheese industry has had in recent times, based on production costs and that the international market has not accompanied with prices to close the equation," he said.
The Secretary of State also referred to the law promulgated at the end of 2022, which allowed the conversion of dairy industries, as an important instrument to resume the growth of its production.
He considered that the dairy problem in Uruguay is solved by producing more milk, for which the government continues to try to open up additional markets.
"From the Government, we have committed to working on opening more markets and diversifying production, to provide greater commercial opportunity to Uruguayan dairy products.
"In the future, there will be a shortage of products, because many areas, like New Zealand, are restricting their production. This will generate opportunities for Uruguayan dairy products, which are appreciated for quality and compliance with demands”, he stressed. ■