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Uruguay Critical and Emerging Technologies Agreement with USA

On April 10, 2024, the United States Departments of Commerce and State, and Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on select critical and emerging technologies. This MoU aims to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunities between the two nations. The MoU establishes a Bilateral Working Group (BWG), which aims to meet biannually to facilitate collaboration in several areas including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), data flows, clean energy, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. Both Uruguay and the United States have expressed interest in developing joint activities to increase commercial cooperation across these sectors and are working to define joint activities, including reducing barriers to trade and facilitating commercial relationships. Companies are encouraged to contact the Commercial Service in Uruguay to learn more about how to participate in related activities.

Structure

The MOU established a BWG to meet biannually to facilitate cooperation across the areas of cooperation. The BWG met for the first time in June 2024 with U.S. Ambassador Heide Fulton and Uruguay Minister of Industry Energy and Mining Elisa Facio.  Both parties expressed interest in specific activities under each area of work to continue deepening the collaboration and exchanges. These activities include, among others, virtual technical exchanges and joint trade missions.  While the BWG meetings are government to governments, many of the activities agreed upon by both parties include and encourage industry participation. 
The MoU encourages business-to-business (B2B) cooperation, with a focus on high-level participation in strategic initiatives and trade events. U.S. companies can leverage this framework to establish partnerships, expand their market presence, and engage in joint projects with Uruguayan businesses. The BWG will facilitate regular meetings to develop and implement an Action Plan for Leading Technology Opportunities (ALTO), ensuring continuous collaboration and progress.

Key Areas of Cooperation

1. Semiconductors

The MoU emphasizes the development and deployment of semiconductor technologies, as Uruguay considers developing a semiconductor roadmap. This presents opportunities for U.S. companies to explore joint ventures and supply chain collaborations with Uruguayan counterparts, potentially expanding their market reach and enhancing technological capabilities. Given the early stage of Uruguay’s semiconductor strategy, assessments of potential paths for semiconductor cooperation could benefit from U.S. industry input. 

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The MoU includes a focus on AI, data privacy and cross-border data flows, providing avenues for technical exchanges, consultations, and training programs. Uruguay is currently developing a national AI and data strategy, for which the Government of Uruguay plans to invite stakeholder input in September 2024 . U.S. firms specializing in these sectors or relying on these technologies are encouraged to contact the U.S. Commercial Service office in Uruguay to learn more about activities occurring under this AI workstream and to provide feedback on Uruguay’s draft AI and data strategy. 

3. Clean Energy

The MoU highlights clean energy technologies, including critical minerals, clean hydrogen, and energy storage, as an area of immediate focus. U.S. companies in the renewable energy sector can explore partnerships and investment opportunities in Uruguay’s growing clean energy market. Both sides have begun cooperation on clean energy through capacity building, bilateral trade missions, and regular communication. This includes a clean energy mission to the United States from September 2 to 14, 2024 to introduce industry and government leaders to U.S. technology and companies, led by Ambassador Fulton and Minister Facio. In August 2025, the U.S. International Trade Administration plans to lead a clean technology trade mission to Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. 

4. Telecommunications and Cybersecurity

The development of open telecommunications networks and cybersecurity initiatives is a priority under the MoU. U.S. companies can contribute to bolstering Uruguay’s digital infrastructure and enhancing its cybersecurity capacity. This includes participating in technical exchanges and regulatory consultations to ensure the adoption of best practices and international standards.

5. Biotechnology

The MoU also covers biotechnology, offering U.S. firms opportunities to engage in research and development, technology transfer, and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing biotechnological innovations. The United States and Uruguay are considering potential activities to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation on biotechnology, including possible missions of Uruguayan companies to the United States in 2025.

Conclusion

The U.S.-Uruguay MoU on Critical and Emerging Technologies creates a robust platform for U.S. companies to explore a new market, engage in collaborative ventures, and drive innovation. By participating in activities under the BWG and strategic initiatives outlined in the MoU, U.S. firms can capitalize on the growing opportunities in semiconductors, AI, clean energy, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. This agreement not only strengthens bilateral relations but also paves the way for sustainable economic growth and technological advancement in both nations. The U.S. and Uruguay are looking for opportunities to engage with industry to help inform the development of regulations and policies in these sectors. We welcome companies reaching out to CS Uruguay to share your perspectives and inform recommendations.