The Paraguay-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (CCPB) celebrated its 25th anniversary with an event held in the Veteranos del Chaco hall at the Club Centenario in Asunción. The gathering brought together members, national authorities, and members of the diplomatic corps to mark over two decades of promoting commercial, economic, and cultural exchange between the two countries.
The hosts for the evening were Fabio Fustagno, president of the CCPB, and Junio Dantas, vice president. Among the distinguished guests was Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves, former Brazilian ambassador to Paraguay between 2000 and 2004, who received recognition for having been involved in the creation of the entity, initially named the Brazil Forum, in June 2001.
In his speech, Fabio Fustagno highlighted that Brazil remains Paraguay's main trading partner, its largest buyer, and its primary foreign investor. He noted that the presence of more than 370,000 Brazilian citizens residing in Paraguayan territory is a testament to the trust built between the nations.
The Brazilian ambassador, José Antonio Marcondes de Carvalho, emphasized the growth of bilateral trade, which has increased from approximately US$2 billion at the time of the chamber's founding to around US$8 billion today.
The Paraguayan Minister of Industry and Commerce, Marco Riquelme Boettner, stated that the country should consolidate its position as a complementary partner to Brazil in regional production chains, leveraging advantages such as energy availability, strategic location, and an investment-friendly environment.
The event's ambiance was handled by the company Finestra, the catering service was provided by Nilda Centurión Catering, and the musical entertainment was provided by harpist Marcelo Rojas and his group.