Investors Interested in Fray Bentos

Monday, 26 July 2010 09:52

Leopoldo Cayrús, president of ACRN (Commercial and Industrial Association of Río Negro noted that the opening of the San Martín International Bridge has resulted in an increase in tourism and also an interest by business planning to invest or expand operations in Fray Bentos. The bridge saves time and money for both tourists and transport operations.

Cayrús emphasized that the number of cargo trucks is increasing daily, although the number still falls short of the 200 that used the bridge daily before the blockade.  With respect to the investment proposals currently on the table, he preferred to keep the names confidential at this time, but confirmed that they are related to the agricultural sector, including farm equipment and grain storage, among other things.

(www.elpais.com.uy, July 26, 2010)

IMM Could Turn Garbage Into Energy

Friday, 23 July 2010 10:22

The foreign group Eurotecnologías of Costa Rica proposed to the government of Montevideo (IMM) the installation of four processing plants of household garbage. The investment amounts to 35 million euros and would enable the daily treatment of 350 tons of garbage which would generate five megawatts of power.

According to Luis Agosto, the investment group's representative in Uruguay, the plants are operated through a mechanism known as catalytic depolymerization. This process takes place in a vacuum molecular disruptor, resulting in waste passing from solid to gas state without the use of flame. This gases go through a catalyst that condenses and turns them into "synthetic diesel" to be used in any type of engines, including traction engines.

The four plants would be equipped with the ability to make synthetic diesel fuel into electrical energy. "Today, waste is deposited in the open and nature is not capable of biodegrading debris. These plants provide technology that transforms solid household, hospital and even agricultural waste into energy" said Agosto.

(www.observa.com.uy, July 23, 2010)

Debate For New Audiovisual Law

Friday, 23 July 2010 09:46

The Ministry of Industry launched on Thursday the discussion for the creation of a Law on Audiovisual Media. It constituted a Technical Advisory Committee which shall act as field work consisting of 15 specialists involved in this issue: union of journalists, representatives of public and private universities, etc..

The law seeks to prevent media concentration and ensure equitable access to infrastructure for production and distribution of content.

The government's goal is to develop a modern initiative to ensure diversity and pluralism and to consider the current situation with a training framework that establishes clear and transparent rules for the assign frequencies.

(www.espectador.com, July 23, 2010)

Agricultural Loans Increased 25% at BROU

Thursday, 22 July 2010 09:57

BROU Chief Executive Sylvia Naveiro announced that during the first six months of 2010, agricultural loans increased 25%.  This sector has been steadily increasing for several years.  She said that activity is high in agriculture, with loans expected to reach US $500 million during 2010.  Interest rates are expected to remain steady, with rates of 5.25% for a one-year loan to a client with good credit.

(www.observa.com.uy, July 22, 2010)

Government to Invest US $70 million in Punta de Sayago Port

Monday, 19 July 2010 10:03

During the past administration, the private port Cerro Free Port project in Sayago was turned over to the State after it was abandoned.  The Ministry of Transport paid US $28 million for 103 Hectare estate, which was turned over to ANP (National Administration of Ports).  The government estimates that US $70 million will have been invested in improvements by the year 2013.  ANP is taking a gamble in order to reduce congestion at Montevideo's port.

The plans include multiple stages, including electrical installation, lighting, docks, dredging, and access canal maintenance.  ANP Vice-President Juan José Domínguez said that this is a "very ambitious project, initially accepting just cargo ships, then container ships.  This initiative also seeks to change the image of the region, offering employment for locals."  The port at Sayago would also relive congestion on the roads and highways leading to the port in Montevideo, which are currently operating at full capacity.

(www.elpais.com.uy, July 19, 2010)