Setting Up a Business in Uruguay: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Location

Corporate landing is the process of moving from the decision to invest to having a team up and running. The step-by-step process for setting up a business in Uruguay is outlined in our guide. Here, we’re focusing on something else: location decisions that can be costly to correct later on.

The 7 Most Common Mistakes

1. Choose the “ Regime ” before defining your target markets. The Free Trade Zone, the Investment Promotion Act, and the General “ Regime ” serve different markets. How to avoid this: First, define who the “ Operation ” will sell to or provide services for.
2. Secure space for today's team. A team of 15 people that grows to 80 in three years will force a move. How to avoid this: request a growth plan within the same facility.
3. Underestimating the time it takes to hire. Some technical or bilingual positions can take months to fill. How to avoid this: Start the search at the same time as the move-in.
4. Treat the free trade zone as a business address. The National Institute of Taxation and Customs ( Regime ) requires a re Operation , and a business plan. How to avoid this: Determine from the outset the staffing and space requirements for your business.
5. Compare only the rent. The price per square meter does not include security, support, or services. How to avoid this: Compare the total cost of occupancy.
6. Failing to check the technical infrastructure on site. Connectivity and power backup are things you see during a site visit, not in a brochure. How to avoid this: Visit the site with someone from the IT department.
7. Ignoring the community. Moving into a business park without other companies in the same industry means building a supplier network from scratch. How to avoid this: Ask for referrals from established companies.

Questions to Ask the Service Provider Before Signing

Regime. What training programs do you offer, and which one do you recommend for my activity? Why?

Space. What options do I have today, and what options will I have in 3 years if the team grows?

Infrastructure. What level of connectivity and power redundancy does the building have?

Security. How do access control and surveillance work?

Talent. What support does it offer in recruitment and training?

Community. Which companies in my industry are based here? Can I talk to any of them?

Certifications. What customs, management, and environmental certifications do you have?

At Zonamerica, we address these questions during the initial project assessment. We offer two types of leasing arrangements—offices, warehouses, custom-built buildings, and lots—all on a single site at campus, and our community is home to more than 500 companies.