Jacques Bortuzzo Appointed Honorary Consul General of Uruguay to Luxembourg

On Friday 25 April 2025, the Golf Club Grand Ducal in Luxembourg-Findel was the venue for the appointment of Jacques Bortuzzo as Honorary Consul General of Uruguay to Luxembourg.

In front of a group of around a hundred invited guests, he was appointed by the Ambassador of Uruguay to Belgium and Luxembourg, Pablo Emilio Sader Hernandez.

Jacques Bortuzzo stated "Luxembourg is geographically between two giants, Germany and France. It is politically stable. It is economically stable. It is socially stable, with the highest GDP per capita in Europe. It is a gateway to Europe for investment and trade in large part thanks to its financial centre and it hosts a number of EU institutions. Uruguay is geographically between two giants, Brazil and Argentina. It is politically stable. It is economically stable. It is socially stable, with the highest GDP per capita in South America. It is a gateway to South America for investment and trade in large part thanks to its financial centre and it hosts the secretariat of Mercosur. So Luxembourg and Uruguay have similar characteristics, let’s forget a few seconds about the ocean and places like Punta del Este, which we don’t have in Luxembourg obviously, and Luxembourg and Uruguay have similar roles to play in their respective regions, the neutral platforms where business takes over. So linking Luxembourg and Uruguay even more than now should be a relatively easy game. On top, we have a double tax treaty in place. We have an investment protection treaty in place. And a lot of us speak the same languages, English and Spanish. I will do my very best to bring the two even closer together, be it the financial sector or the non-financial sector, and that together with all the relevant stakeholders in Luxembourg and Uruguay, and that together with all of you."

Chronicle.lu talked with Jacques Bortuzzo about his appointment.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us about the process of becoming the Honorary Consul General of Uruguay to Luxembourg. 

Jacques Bortuzzo: Mr. Pablo Villaluenga, an Uruguayan entrepreneur in Luxembourg, introduced me to the Embassy of Uruguay in Brussels as they were looking for a new Honorary Consul of Uruguay in Luxembourg. I told them I am very passionate about international relations and I would be interested in the position. My case was discussed in both Uruguay and Luxembourg and then accepted.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us about the Uruguayan community in Luxembourg, both social and business-related.

Jacques Bortuzzo: There are some 100 Uruguayans in Luxembourg and the community is growing. The main reason is business. Some corporates from Uruguay have their HQ in Luxembourg.  

Chronicle.lu: What are your links to the country and what motivated you to accept the position?

Jacques Bortuzzo: When I was a teenager, my father worked in Uruguay and he was telling me the most fascinating stories about Montevideo and Punta del Este. I always felt I know and like the country without living there. Then, I learned Spanish in Salamanca during my university years and I came to understand and cherish the Latin culture. When the occasion arose now, it felt like a natural fit, and certainly complementary to my China angle. 

Chronicle.lu: How long is your mandate and what do you hope to achieve during this time?

Jacques Bortuzzo: The mandate doesn’t have a termination date. I want to contribute to the good relationship of both countries. Luxembourg is a gateway to Europe and Uruguay is a gateway to South America, so let’s link the two gateways even more than now. 

Chronicle.lu: More specifically, what are some of your main tasks and priorities in this role?

Jacques Bortuzzo: My main task is to identify Uruguayan companies that want to do business in / through Luxembourg and Luxembourgish companies that want to do business in / through Uruguay.

Chronicle.lu: You have been greatly involved in fostering Luxembourg-Chinese relations over the years. Please tell us about your role and work at ChinaLux and how will you leverage that experience / background in your new role?

Jacques Bortuzzo: ChinaLux is very important to me and I will continue my work in the chamber, even more so in the years to come then until now. So I will continue to foster the relationship between China and Luxembourg from both an economic and cultural perspective, and I will use my various connections in ChinaLux in my new role with Uruguay, and vice versa of course.  

Chronicle.lu: How closely and in what way will you work together with the Embassy of Uruguay in Brussels? And how might collaboration with government officials, the Uruguayan community, etc., in Luxembourg be important in this role?

Jacques Bortuzzo: I will work very closely with the Embassy of Uruguay in Brussels as most consular affairs will be taken care of by them. For any business matters the cooperation with the Embassy of Uruguay in Brussels will be equally important, and so will be the cooperation with all other stakeholders. By engaging in constant dialogue we will open new doors. We will be one team working towards a common goal, that is to serve our people.

The event continued with a reception during which Uruguayan wines were served.