Uruguay received offers for offshore exploration and production
Despite all the international difficulties for investments in new areas for oil exploration, the oil giant PETROBRAS, YPF and GALP formed a consortium to present E&P bids for two of the most promising blocks of the Uruguayan offshore. This historical step for the offshore oil exploration in Uruguay raises the hope to get energy independence and with it a sensible reduction in the future for energy costs.
The consortium is formed by PETROBRAS and YPF with a share of 40% each, and GALP with the remaining 20% of the partnership.
The blocks involved in the offers are the areas 3 and 4. The first area have a extension of 5,500 km2 and a water depth between 100 and 2,000 meters, and the second area covers a surface of 3,000 km2 and a water depth between 50 and 200 meters. Both blocks are located in the Punta del Este basin, not less than 110 km off the Uruguayan coast.
The investments for each block, if the offers are accepted by the Uruguayan government, only for exploration activities, will vary from tens to hundreds millions dollars according to the technologies applied. During the first four years the works will be directed to improve the knowledge of the areas through the application of new seismic studies.
A period of 180 days now begins for the analysis of the received offers by Ancap, the governmental oil company acting on behalf of the Uruguayan government in the offers evaluation and advice on the decision to be taken.
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Uruguay Bishop Steps Down Amid Gay Sex Scandal
Uruguayan Bishop Francisco Domingo Barbosa Da Silveira has stepped down from his ministry amid a gay sex scandal,
Barbosa is alleged to have engaged in gay sex with two men whom he hired late last year. Using a cell phone camera, the two men filmed at least one of the encounters and attempted to extort money from the bishop.
The allegations surfaced as the men stood trial in an Uruguay courtroom after Barbosa sought relief from the authorities, and pressed charges against the two men.
The diocese of Minas demanded his resignation after the scandal surfaced.
Barbosa has since apologized for his actions, and on Wednesday the Vatican accepted his resignation.
“The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Minas submitted by Monsenor Francisco Domingo Barbosa Da Silveira,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The Vatican accepted the bishop’s resignation under a Canon Law article that orders “A diocesan Bishop who, because of illness or some other grave reason, has become unsuited for the fulfillment of his office, is earnestly requested to offer his resignation from office.”
Over the past year, Pope Benedict has increased his attacks on being gay and gay rights, calling gay sex “intrinsically evil,” and refusing to sign onto a United Nations resolution that calls for the universal decriminalization of being gay because he feared it would lead to more countries legalizing gay marriage. The pope also drew criticism after he said condoms were ineffective at curbing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
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Lugar Urges Trade Benefits for Uruguay in Bid to Nudge Brazil
Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, is urging the U.S. to extend trade benefits to Uruguay, a move he says would increase pressure on Brazil to deepen commercial ties.
In a report to be distributed next week, Lugar says Uruguay and neighboring Paraguay, the junior members of the Mercosur trade block led by Argentina and Brazil, should be included in an expanded trade program currently reserved for South American nations assisting U.S. anti-narcotics efforts.
“Trade preferences are usually designed to promote economic growth in our poorest trading partners. Uruguay does not fall into that category, but I believe that preferences should also be used strategically to advance foreign policy goals,” Lugar wrote in a letter accompanying the report.
The Indiana Republican is among a group of Senate and House members who proposed legislation this year to grant duty-free access for Paraguayan exports under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which is set to expire this year.
Titled “Uruguay Trade Preferences: A Strategic Opportunity in the Southern Cone,” the 18-page report was prepared at Lugar’s request by Republican committee staff, based on meetings with Uruguayan officials in Montevideo this year.
Mercosur
The report recommends bypassing Mercosur’s common external tariff, which prevents members from signing individual free trade agreements, by granting trade privileges unilaterally to Uruguay, South America’s second smallest nation.
Such a move would have no impact on U.S. manufacturers because trade with Uruguay accounts for less than 1 percent of U.S. exports and imports, wrote Carl Meacham, author of the report. For Uruguay, which has expressed frustration with the dominance of Mercosur’s larger members, it’s a chance to diversify its trade ties, he wrote.
Embracing Uruguay would send a “signal the U.S. is not ceding its interests” in the region and “could encourage some heretofore reluctant countries to expand their trade relations with the U.S.”
Foremost among them is Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, the report says.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has resisted U.S. efforts to strike a hemisphere-wide trade accord. His objections to U.S. farm subsidies were blamed for the breakdown in 2005 of decade-long talks on a free trade zone stretching from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.
The former union leader, who as a candidate accused the U.S. of trying to “annex” Latin America, has since shown greater flexibility on agricultural issues, breaking away from allies in the developing world and urging completion of the stalled Doha round of global trade talks.
The U.S.’s role as South America’s largest trading partner has been eroded in recent years, as trade with emerging economies like China and inter-regional trade led by Brazil expands. This year, China replaced the U.S. as Brazil’s largest trading partner.
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Uruguay compensates ex-political prisoners
Uruguay has paid $42 million (973 million pesos) in compensation during the past three years to more than 3,000 former political prisoners and those who fled the country or hid from authorities, the state-run news agency said Monday.
The government paid out more than $15.5 million (359 million pesos) in 2007, $19.6 million (454 million pesos) in 2008 and $6.9 million (160 million pesos) in the first four months of this year, the Ultimas Noticias official news agency said.
The payments are being made to about 3,200 Uruguayans imprisoned between February 9, 1973, and February 29, 1985, when a military dictatorship held power, the news agency said.
Amnesty International calculated that in 1976 Uruguay had more political prisoners per capita than any other nation in the world, with about one prisoner for every 415 citizens.
Amnesty International also noted the “widespread and systematic use of torture” during that period.
Those paid also include Uruguayans who, for political reasons, fled the country or went into hiding inside the country or were fired due to their political beliefs. About 7 percent of those Uruguayans who sought compensation live outside the country, Ultimas Noticias said.
The law setting up the monthly stipend was approved in October 2006. Amounts range from $713.16 (16,524 pesos) a month to $922.92 (21,384 pesos), depending on which of three categories the person falls under.
Marxist urban guerrillas who called themselves the Tupamaros started waging war on the government in the late 1960s. The president declared a state of emergency in 1968, and his successor ceded control to the military in 1973.
The Tupamaros were defeated by the end of 1973, but the military continued to expand its hold on the government. After massive protests against the military in 1984, elections were held that year, and civilian rule was restored in 1985.
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Expat moveing to Uruguay
There is one county located in South America that is often overlooked by most people due its size and general location. Uruguay is located in the heart of South America between Argentina and Brazil. So many people assume that since it is a small country it must not have the traditional history or culture that compares to the others. Well let’s explore this little hideaway and see what exactly it does have to offer Expats if you are considering moving here.
This country is centrally located in the heart of South America provides access to several major markets that are assessable from here namely Argentina and Brazil. This small country also has the ecological and biodiversity that is unmatched in the rest of South America. Moving into this hidden world of Uruguay, if planned right will be most exciting and adventurous for the Expat.
Most people that decide to make a move to Uruguay do so because they are looking for a place they can call home. Some our young professionals, some move with their spouses, some are here for a better cost of living in retirement. But whatever you’re social or economic backgrounds there are many opportunities for you here in Uruguay. There is always risk when you move somewhere so if you are planning a business move make sure you have a solid business plane prior to moving. Know who our contacts are and what your product is and how to export or import anything that you need. There are certain industries in the country that doing better than others on the high end outsourcing and technology are job generators a lot of tech companies are out sourcing here. Yet if you do not speak good English then it is tough at that point to get a job that is why sometimes the unemployment rate can be as high as 15% or 20%. Tourism is another major player in the economy of Uruguay with many things to see, hear, and taste people will always want to come to this hidden paradise. So if you’re not technically in client or a people person but love kids there are plenty of opportunities for English teachers or translators since there seems to be a drought in English speaking persons. But come prepared and have an idea what you will do be for any move.
Of course the next thing you are going to want to plan out besides your way of income is going to be location. There are two major cities in Uruguay Montevideo which is the capitol city on near the south Atlantic side as well as Colonia which is near the delta of Rio de la Plata. Each city has an extensive network of other expats that have made the plunge and moved everything to start a new life. So if you’re new to the country and don’t know a lot of people these two cities will provide you the best chance of feeling comfortable in your new surroundings. Of course also knowing at least the basic Spanish will help you get along but I suggest you practice if you really want to get the best deals. There are many apartments and houses for sale and for rent in these areas be sure to research each are before you decide. Also if you decide to have your family comes along as well check out things like American schools and convenient locations where they are easily accessible.
Banking in Uruguay is done in the peso but many backs will take the American dollar and exchange it for you. But as in any city it is best not to carry around a lot of cash but you also want to have enough in case you need it since Uruguay is a middle income nation not every where will there be a visa or ATM place that takes them.
It is highly recommended you come and stay for awhile in Uruguay prior to moving just to see if it is something that you really want to do. If you get here without visiting and then decide to move it will be a lot harder and more expensive so make sure you understand what you are getting into before you do. But, I have a strong feeling you will do just fine and will love everything about this country including the history, traditions and food. f38az4exm7
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