Development cooperation : United States-Uruguay 1986-1995

The program has supported initiatives taken by Uruguayan leaders and has targeted sectors in which Uruguay and the United States share common interests, primarily economic growth and administration of justice. During the program"s initial, economic reactivation phase (1986-87), USAID financed a balance-of-payments, cash transfer program for $25 million and a companion $955,000 grant to support policy adjustments necessary for economic stabilization, reactivation, and growth. The cash transfer program helped cushion the effects of initial adjustment measures, with local currency generations financing activities to promote economic growth, including road improvements, electrification, and investment feasibility studies. During a transition stage (1988-89), USAID supported Uruguayan efforts to strengthen technical and managerial resources; activities during this period included specialized, post-graduate U.S. training for 50 Uruguayan professionals, the training of small-scale entrepreneurs under the U.N"s Entrepreneur Development (EMPETREC) program, assistance in establishing a business training institute at the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCUDAL), and support for a Junior Achievement Program (DESEM) for young entrepreneurs and for the PRONADE and PLADES programs to combat public sector institutional constraints to economic growth. In 1989, the program was adjusted to support Uruguayan efforts at structural reform, with a focus on increasing private sector participation in the economic reform process and improving efficiency in the administration of justice. Special efforts were made to support the efforts to Uruguayan reformers, e.g., by linking them with U.S. counterparts and by funding pilot projects supportable by multilateral organizations. USAID also cooperated with progressive local NGOs and business leaders who believed that a more proactive role by the private sector in the process of economic reform was the missing element for growth in Uruguay. Initiatives to modernize court administration, upgrade the capability of judicial system personnel, and promote judicial reforms were also supported. The body of the report presents synopses of the 26 components of the Mission"s project portfolio during this period under three categories: (1) economic reactivation and transitional initiatives (9 projects), (2) increased private sector participation in economic reform (15 projects), and (3) improved efficiency in the administration of justice (2). Each synopsis documents the project"s title, funding, beginning and end date, implementing agency, purpose, description, and accomplishments.