Uruguay Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in uruguay, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Security Equipment
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Overview

Table: Total Market for Security Equipment
 2020202120222023 estimated
Total Local Productionn/an/a

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total Exports810 17 16
Total Imports226304 301338
Imports from the U.S.2831 30 31
Total Market Size218294 284 322
Exchange Rates42,0143.553938

Source: Transaction database – Millions of USD – HS: 8543- 8537-8471-4911-8521-8504-8531-8541-8536-8507)

Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports).

The security equipment sector is growing, with both individuals and companies purchasing reasonably priced security system technology.  Companies are replacing in-person security systems with more and better technology in their facilities.

Imports of security equipment have been steadily increasing over the last five years.  Chinese-made products dominate the security sector with more than 50 percent of market share.

U.S. products are second with a 10 percent market share.  U.S. products compete directly with lower-priced products from China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Canada among others.  Traditionally, U.S. goods compete successfully in Uruguay due to their higher quality, lower maintenance costs, and longer life cycle. 

Imported electronic components play a very important role in the sector.  Local security importers will continue to import high-tech components to be used in the production of alarms, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and other related security systems.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Major construction projects are underway in Montevideo and Punta del Este (Uruguay’s principal seaside resort) in which electronic security products will play a very important role.  According to Uruguay’s Chamber of Electronic Security Systems, the electronic security business will continue growing especially in commercial and industrial facilities.

Opportunities

Uruguay’s electronic safety and security market relies heavily on imported products and services.  In order to import security equipment and technology, local companies typically form joint ventures with international firms or become authorized dealers. Uruguay’s National Customs Directorate is the official institution that regulates the importation of all safety and security items, and local importers must report all imports to the National Customs Directorate. 

The following products are considered best prospects:

  • Access Control Systems: smart cards, biometrics, controllers, local area network devices, readers, digital processors.
  • Intrusion Alarms: indicator panels, signaling devices, keypad LEDs, batteries, sirens, and magnetic contacts.
  • CCTV: cameras, domes, monitors, transmission devices, television transmission apparatus, TV receivers, multiplexers, and CCTV systems.
  • Others: aerial security monitoring with drones.

In relation to security infrastructure, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is planning the construction of a new prison to address the overcrowding problem in Uruguay’s prisons.  The call was for the design, operation and maintenance of a new prison in Punta de Rieles, Canelones, to be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with the capacity of 2000 inmates.  It is expected to be completed in 2024.

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