The new headquarters of the National Institute of Viticulture was inaugurated (Inavi), in the Stones, on route 48 and next to route 5on its own property where an investment of US$ 1,950,000 was developed which will allow, immediately, to improve the services provided to the sector and at the same time considerable savings, given that until now the Inavi worked in a rented premises, in that same city, on Av. Dr. Pouey.
The opening ceremony was attended, among other authorities, by the President of the Republic. Luis Lacalle Pou pointed out the objective of improving the foreign trade of wine and also highlighted the quality of this national product and the generational continuity in the sector.
“That is Uruguay: tradition, custom and values, but, above all, a virtuous future,” said Lacalle Pou.
Also attending the opening ceremony were the Vice President of the Republic, Beatriz Argimón; the Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Delgado; the Ministers of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Fernando Mattos; Environment, Adrián Peña; and of Transport and Public Works, José Luis Falero; the president of Inavi, Ricardo Cabrera, and the vice president of that institute, Oscar Perdomo.
This event was attended by the President of the Republic @LuisLacallePou who stressed that beyond this work that marks a milestone for the Institute the “true value of #INAVI It’s your people.” pic.twitter.com/QiMAo7uEUS
— MGAP (@MGAPuruguay) June 21, 2022
The work
The headquarters was built based on the work of the architects Jorge Pérez Huelmo and Paula Miller, demanding the aforementioned investment, which included the equipment. It is located on a plot of 8,240 m2 and consists of a main building with two floors, of 1,600 m2, and an annex, of 840 m2.. Dispose of training rooms, administrative and technical areas, warehouses, experimental winery, laboratory and a vineyard.
After the ribbon cutting to officially inaugurate the infrastructure, and the tour of the facilities, the president reviewed the process of concretizing the project and highlighted the good management of public funds.
He also praised the fact that the construction is modern and has good lighting, since this has a direct impact on the daily work environment. “The most important thing is the people, its officials,” he said.
In his speech, he also pondered the presence of the Inavi board, which represents the wine production chain, and producers from all over the country with different production capacities.
In addition, he celebrated that many wineries have become tourist establishments. “It is a sector as varied as there are wineries”, she highlighted.
Lacalle Pou stated that Uruguay makes very good wine, that people value the country brand of this drink, but that work must be done to expand placement abroad, since there is an excess of stock. “We have to work hard on foreign trade,” he said.
Then, he valued the stories and experiences that happen behind each bottle and that, particularly in this area of the department of Canelones, there are many producers who make an effort to maintain quality and product.
“We know that we are heading towards another type of reconversion and that the State has to be there,” declared the president.and reviewed the support that the UTE and Banco República provide to this branch of activity.
Also, associated viticulture with farm production and reiterated its commitment to these sectors being exporters. “Uruguay can play on the big field, because it is proven”he remarked.
Regarding the closure, Lacalle Pou praised the presence of young businessmen and workers from the sector. “It means that they are proud of what their ancestors, their grandparents and parents did, and that they are thinking that there is an opportunity for progress in this activity,” she concluded.
Presidency of the Republic
The investment, with its own resources, was almost US$ 2 million.
The property was acquired in 2013
The project to create the institute’s headquarters dates back to 1987, when it was established that it would be located in Las Piedras. In 2013 the property was acquired and on February 11, 2021 the foundation stone was laidan act which was also attended by the President of the Republic.
In his oratory, Mattos identified the inauguration of the organization’s facilities as a dream come true for the sector, which represents a before and after for the national viticulture. In addition, he pointed out that it will contribute to projecting the country with one of its emblematic products.
Next, he reviewed the history of Inavi until today, when its own headquarters were achieved, a process that he classified as a collective construction of the different governments. He also highlighted that Uruguay is a country whose production is characterized by high quality, as a differentiating element, to the detriment of volume.
The new infrastructure “is going to be a letter of presentation of what we intend, that the agricultural institutions follow a path of modernity in terms of its reconversion and its own functioning,” he stressed.
He announced that a new board of directors will be formed with representation from the Executive Power and from the different sectors of viticulture, which will have to design a strategic plan with a horizon of 20 or 30 years.
While, Cabrera revealed that his own funds were used to build, without resorting to lines of credit or loans that would compromise the current or future management teams, which will avoid rental and maintenance costs..
“This venue is, in short, the demonstration of a sector of national life that is an example of strength and growth,” he praised, and stated that it belongs to all the members of the wine chain.
Presidency of the Republic
Luis Lacalle Pou participated in the opening ceremony.
The ceremony was also witnessed by the Undersecretaries of Industry, Energy and Mining, Walter Verri; of Tourism, Remo Monzeglio; and Housing and Territorial Planning, Tabaré Hackenbruch; the president of the State Health Services Administration, Leonardo Cipriani; the mayor of Canelones, Yamandú Orsi; and the national director of Industries, Susana Pecoy.
