RISK FACTORS AND INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Bonds involves a significant degree of risk. Investors are urged to read carefully the entirety of the accompanying prospectus together with this prospectus supplement and to note, in particular, the following considerations.
Risk Factors and Investment Considerations Relating to the Bonds
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities; Waiver of Sovereign Immunity.
Uruguay is a foreign sovereign state. Consequently, it may be difficult for you or the trustee to obtain or enforce judgments of courts in the United States or elsewhere against Uruguay. See “Description of the Securities—Jurisdiction, Consent to Service, Enforcement of Judgments and Immunities from Attachment,” in the accompanying prospectus and “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities” in this prospectus supplement.
Market for the Bonds.
Uruguay has been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters may make a market in the Bonds but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. Application will be made to list the Bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to have the Bonds admitted to trading on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Bonds. The price at which the Bonds will trade in the secondary market is uncertain.
Risk Factors and Investment Considerations Relating to Uruguay
Uruguay remains vulnerable to regional and global shocks, which could arise from significant economic difficulties in its major trading partners (particularly Argentina, Brazil and China) or by more general “contagion” effects— including those precipitated by the United Kingdom’s impending departure from the European Union. Such trade and financial external shocks and “contagion” effects could have a material adverse effect on Uruguay’s economic growth and funding conditions faced by the government in international capital markets.
Weak, flat or negative economic growth of any of Uruguay’s major trading partners, such as Brazil, Argentina and China has in the past, and could in the future, materially affect Uruguay’s exports to those markets and, in turn, adversely affect economic growth.
Uruguay’s economy may also be affected by conditions (including trade and Central Bank policies) in developed economies, which are significant trading partners of Uruguay or have influence over world economic cycles. For example, if interest rates increase significantly in developed economies, including the United States and Europe, Uruguay and its developing economy trading partners, such as Brazil and Argentina, could find it more difficult and expensive to borrow capital and refinance existing debt, which could adversely affect economic growth in those countries. Additionally, decreased growth on the part of Uruguay’s trading partners could have a material adverse effect on the markets for Uruguay’s exports and, in turn, adversely affect economic growth.
On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which a majority voted for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (the “Brexit”). On March 29, 2017, Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty was triggered, which provides for a mechanism for the voluntary and unilateral withdrawal of a country from the European Union. The triggering of Article 50 initiated a two-year period of negotiation for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. This period can only be extended by a unanimous decision of the European Council, in agreement with the United Kingdom. On April 10, 2019, the European Council and the United Kingdom agreed to extend this period until October 31, 2019. Recently, plans to achieve a soft Brexit scenario resulted in high-profile resignations and the designation of a new government, and the prospect of a “no-deal Brexit” appears to have grown. Depending on the terms of Brexit, the United Kingdom could lose access to the single European Union market and to the global trade deals negotiated by the European Union on behalf of its members. Should no deal be reached, Brexit and the perceptions as to its impact may adversely affect business activity and economic and market conditions in the United Kingdom, the Eurozone and globally, and could contribute to uncertainty in global financial and foreign exchange markets, as well as additional political, social and legal instability in the European Union.
Uruguay’s economy may be affected by “contagion” effects, as international investors’ reactions to events occurring in one developing country sometimes appear to follow a cascading pattern, in which an entire region or investment class is disfavored by international investors.
Domestic factors could lead to a reduced growth and decrease of foreign investment in Uruguay.
Adverse domestic factors, such as domestic inflation, high domestic interest rates, exchange rate volatility and political uncertainty could lead to lower growth in Uruguay, declines in foreign direct and portfolio investment and potentially lower international reserves. In addition, any of these factors may adversely affect the liquidity of, and trading markets for, Uruguay’s bonds.
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