Deputy Industry Minister Javier Viveros said the 56th General Assembly of the Latin American Association of Development Finance Institutions (Alide), held in Asunción, strengthens the country brand and positions Paraguay as a strategic destination for investment and industrial development. The event, running through May 22, brings together representatives from development banks and multilateral organizations, with the National Development Bank (BNF) as host.
Mercosul
A delegation from the Technical Unit of the MERCOSUR Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM), led by executive coordinator Luciano Wexell Severo, carried out an official mission in Buenos Aires to supervise the progress of three bloc-funded projects: the Buenos Aires Biomedicine Research Institute (IBioBA), the Arturo Jauretche National University (UNAJ), and the Urquiza Railway. Ambassador Alan Beraud, Argentina's permanent representative to MERCOSUR, also took part virtually. During the meetings, Wexell Severo highlighted IBioBA's success within the multi-state Biotec project, the good pace of resumed construction at UNAJ, and the strategic importance of the Urquiza Railway recovery. FOCEM, the bloc's first solidarity mechanism, has already allocated 85 million dollars in non-reimbursable funds to Argentina over 20 years, with a remaining balance of 6.2 million dollars available for new local ventures.
While Mercosur recorded an 8% increase in beef exports between January and April 2026, Paraguay saw a 25% contraction, the largest relative decline in the bloc. The average price per ton rose 17%, but shipped volume fell to 87,899 tons.
Paraguay's maquila regime recorded exports of US$471 million in the first four months of 2026, an increase of US$83 million compared to the same period in 2025. The sector generated 1,154 new jobs and approved 24 new investment programs. Additionally, brands such as Fila, Umbro, Nike, ASICS, and Champion are already producing in the country, with emphasis on the partnership between Grupo Texcin and Grupo Dass.
While the European Union restricts imports of Brazilian beef due to the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, Paraguay claims to have already complied with the regulation since 2023/2024, ensuring the continuity of its exports to the bloc.
Paraguay's maquila sector recorded exports of US$ 471 million between January and April 2026, an increase of US$ 83 million compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was driven by auto parts, food, clothing, and aluminum, which accounted for 71% of shipments. The regime generated 35,357 direct jobs, 45% held by women, and approved 24 new programs with projected investment of US$ 57 million.