Confidence is driving a new phase at Zonamerica

Some projects arise from a strategic vision, while others stem from a specific market need. The new Zonamerica industrial park meets both criteria: it represents a new phase of growth and is the result of years of discussions with companies seeking to expand their operations from Uruguay, but
needed alternatives to the Regime free trade zone model.

For Magdalena Rodriguez Luis, commercial manager at Zonamerica, this evolution means expanding the available solutions, supporting new investments, and consolidating a
ecosystem capable of responding to different production realities. The initiative began to generate interest even before its formal commercial launch. At the time of the interview,
—without having launched any active marketing campaigns—already had three confirmed reservations, including those from two pharmaceutical companies and an audiovisual project.

A new platform born from listening to the market.

The decision to develop an industrial park stems from a reality identified over years of contact with potential investors. Although free trade zones allow for industrial activities, they do not always offer the most favorable conditions for Operations intended for certain Mercosur markets, particularly Argentina, due to rules of origin and their tariff implications.

Zonamerica saw an opportunity there: to offer a complementary platform, leveraging the benefits of Regime industrial parks and the Investment Promotion Act
without sacrificing its infrastructure and management expertise.

“We already had the infrastructure and ecosystems in place in the free trade zone. We wanted to give our potential customers another option to manufacture from here and supply countries in the region,” explains Magdalena.
From her perspective, the market’s response confirms the value of developing solutions based on specific business needs.

One " campus," two regimes, and the same ecosystem

One of the project's key distinguishing features is its integration with the existing infrastructure.

“We like to say that it’s a ‘ campus ’ with two jurisdictions, not two ‘ campus,’” Magdalena summarizes.
Both spaces will maintain their respective regulatory boundaries but will be internally interconnected—
allowing them to take advantage of an established ecosystem that already offers dining options, banks, and a wide range of amenities.

Added to this is a strategic location near the intersection of Routes 102 and 8, where accessibility, connectivity, and visibility offer advantages to businesses.

“Our best selling point is our free trade zone,” she emphasizes. For the executive, learning about what Zonamerica has built allows potential investors to visualize the features of the new development and find a fundamental basis for their decisions: trust.

Pharmaceuticals, Food, and Media: Opportunities Taking Shape

The wide range of inquiries received confirms the potential of a proposal that goes beyond a single activity.

The pharmaceutical industry ranks among the sectors with the greatest opportunities. The anticipated arrival of two pharmaceutical companies is a significant sign, but Magdalena points out that the potential also extends to suppliers and companies that make up the sector’s entire value chain.

The food industry is another attractive sector, ranging from the production of raw materials to advanced processing methods. However, Magdalena introduces a decisive factor: technology.

Uruguay has higher labor costs than some other countries in the region, making it particularly attractive for projects that derive their competitiveness from automation, innovation, and value-added activities.

The audiovisual industry also plays a significant role, accompanied by opportunities related to distribution centers and logistics Operations , especially for mass consumption. The goal is to integrate production, technology, and logistics into a business platform capable of adapting to different business models.

Investments to grow and expand into new markets

The first phase covers approximately 24 hectares, with the potential to incorporate an additional 50 hectares in future expansions to keep pace with evolving demand.
From a commercial perspective, Magdalena identifies two types of investors: companies that already operate in Uruguay and are looking to relocate in order to expand their capacity and markets, as well as new projects that view the country as a reliable platform for conducting their business in the region.

Of the opportunities analyzed at the time of the interview, approximately 60% involved relocations with potential for expansion, and the remaining 40% involved initiatives that were not yet operating in Uruguay. This breakdown shows that the park does not seek solely to attract foreign investment. It can also support the growth of companies already established in the country, whose current facilities face limitations in expanding or accessing new markets.
Thus, a relocation can become an opportunity for productive transformation.

Brazil, Argentina, and the Value of Stability

Magdalena’s business focus also extends to the region. With regard to Brazil, she notes a particularly significant level of interest. In her experience, they have never received so many inquiries from that market. “Brazil is looking at Uruguay more than
ever before,” she says.
The executive attributes this phenomenon to tax changes in Brazil and the need for some companies to evaluate alternatives to maintain the efficiency of their Operations.
The scope of interest includes financial services, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, and international trade, among others.
In Argentina, regulatory changes are also creating new market conditions. However, Magdalena points out that industrial decisions require a long-term perspective and are not immediately reversed in response to short-term changes. At the same time, easier importation could strengthen Uruguay’s role as a regional distribution hub for Argentina and other destinations.

In this context, Uruguay's stability remains a key factor for regional investors and European companies seeking to consolidate their presence in Latin America.

Trust as a Starting Point

For Magdalena, companies do not choose a location solely based on tax incentives. They also consider infrastructure, services, connectivity, and
growth opportunities. The new industrial park represents an opportunity to bring these attributes together under a complementary Regime , expanding the scope of a vision that Zonamerica has been building for years. Behind every project lies a long-term decision that requires knowledge, support, and trust. And that seems to be the essence of this new phase: transforming accumulated experience into concrete opportunities, supporting companies that find in Uruguay the place from which to plan their future.