MONTEVIDEO, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay's Vice President Raul Sendic said Friday that the re-opening of two plants belonging to Chinese automaker Lifan is a mark of "confidence" by foreign investors.
Speaking at the plants' location in the southern department of San Jose, Sendic said that China and Uruguay had a "historic opportunity" to consolidate their bilateral relationship.
"We know what the investment means for hundreds of families," said Sendic.
"I want to express the support of the government and our gratitude for the confidence and commitment shown as we strengthen the relations between our country and China," added Sendic.
The vice-president then called on the Uruguayan government to continue opening itself up to markets in order to expand trade.
"The role of entrepreneurs is to develop investments and that of the workers is for the plant to remain active and to produce quality," said Sendic.
The plants, run by Lifan Automobile Co. based in the city of Chongqing, China, had stopped production in 2015 because of a drop in demand due to the economic recession in Brazil, its principal market. They reopened in March as the Brazilian economy began showing signs of recovery.
