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Sustainable export: LATU and the Exporters Union host event to present progress and tools for its promotion
On Monday, September 15th, the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU) and the Exporters Union of Uruguay (UEU) held the event "Sustainable export: proposals and tools for its promotion". The gathering highlighted the critical role of sustainability in Uruguay's competitive positioning in international markets and emphasized the necessary collaboration among key stakeholders to achieve this goal. The event, held at LATU's Innovation Park Auditorium, was attended by national authorities, representatives from the public and private sectors, international organizations, academic leaders, and exporting companies actively working on sustainability issues.
The event began with welcoming remarks from LATU President Lucila Arboleya and UEU President Carmen Porteiro, who reaffirmed the alliance between the two institutions to strengthen the Uruguayan export sector.
The collaboration between the two organizations has led to joint initiatives that add value to production chains, such as the UEU – LATU Sustainable Management Seal. This Seal aims to support exporting companies on their journey toward sustainability and transparency, positioning them in new and more demanding markets by presenting and validating their progress in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects.
Arboleya noted that the UEU – LATU Sustainable Management Seal is "a tool that prepares companies, with sustainability criteria, to provide the signal the world is demanding, while also considering other international standards and preparing them for eventual international certification."
Porteiro stressed that "no sector can travel this path alone. That's why the collaboration between the public and private sectors is becoming closer, also incorporating the academic sector. The Sustainable Management Seal, co-implemented with LATU, is a long-standing alliance, and this tool was created with the conviction that we have the capabilities to support every company according to its unique characteristics."
Both authorities highlighted that the Seal serves as a practical and gradual guide, designed for both goods and services companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Experiences and trends
Throughout the event, a technical presentation on the Seal's trajectory was given by Mónica Martínez, LATU Consultant, and María Laura Rodríguez, Head of Economic Advice, Communication, and Sustainability at the UEU. They showcased the 26 companies currently at some stage of the Seal process, which account for 20% of goods exports, in addition to service companies. Of these, 42% are SMEs and represent various sectors. An impact study was also shared, demonstrating how the Seal has helped companies in sustainability areas, along with highlighting alliances and synergies achieved with various institutions.
This was followed by a presentation from the Sustainability Reporting Observatory of the School of Economics and Administration – Udelar, by accountant Aiblis Vidal, who shared results from joint research with the UEU on sustainability reports by exporting companies.
Next, two panels featured leaders from public and private institutions, international organizations, and companies that have successfully implemented the UEU – LATU Sustainable Management Seal.
The first panel included the President of ANII, Álvaro Brunini; the Executive Director of Uruguay XXI, Mariana Ferreira; the President of BROU, Álvaro García; the Director of Inmujeres, Mónica Xavier; the President of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Business (CCNLGBTU), Adrián Russo; and the Head of Industrial Policy at the National Directorate of Industries – MIEM, Silvana Grosso.
Each institution discussed their initiatives to promote sustainability in exporting companies through financing tools, technical support, and awareness-raising on triple-impact themes, as well as the challenges the country still faces in this area. This exchange provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of public-private collaboration, innovation, and the future prospects of sustainable export in Uruguay.
In the subsequent panel, Alberto Brause, General Manager of Darnel, and Diego Fraga, Director of Ki Soluciones Agrosostenibles, shared their experiences implementing the UEU – LATU Sustainable Management Seal. For her part, Sofía Stefanelli, Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation – World Bank Group, urged continued efforts across all sectors to position Uruguay as a sustainable exporting country and shared regional success stories supported by the Bank.
A common thread across the panels was the necessity of inter-institutional synergy to boost exports, the importance of innovation and technology transfer for companies, and the relevance of sustainability as a prerequisite for Uruguay's global positioning.
Collaboration and future
To close the event, the Minister of Environment, Edgardo Ortuño, and the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Fernanda Cardona, spoke, inviting continued joint work to build a Uruguay where sustainable export is an integral part of the country brand.
In his remarks, Ortuño valued the contribution of the alliance between LATU and the UEU, and invited all sectors "to also go beyond the public sphere in this collaborative work and carry out these initiatives with the support and joint effort of the private sector and the science, technology, and innovation sector."
The Minister of Industry emphasized that "sustainability now involves the environment, gender gaps, youth employment, and territoriality." She further mentioned that "it's about culture, about installing sustainability as part of our productive identity, a culture that opens doors, strengthens trust, and differentiates us worldwide."
All authorities participating in the event agreed and placed special emphasis on Uruguay's comparative advantages—the quality of its products and services, clean energy matrix, and solid institutional framework—to continue promoting sustainable development and positioning itself as a country that builds a triple-impact future.
The full recording of the event can be found on the Exporters Union's YouTube channel [in Spanish].
