Doing Business in Paraguay

Subject (Course): International Trade and Business in Paraguay - Asuncion. Syllabus:

1. Introduction to the Republic of Paraguay (South America).
2. Paraguayan Economy.
3. The main economic sectors of the economy
4. Doing Business in Asuncion
5. Paraguayan International Trade.
6. Paraguay-Parana Waterway.
7. Introduction to Spanish
8. Access to the Paraguayan Market
9. Business Plan for Paraguay

Objectives of the subject "Doing Business in the Republic of Paraguay":

1. To analyze the Paraguayan economy and foreign trade
2. To evaluate business opportunities in the Republic of Paraguay
3. To explore Paraguay's trade relations with the student's country
4. To know Paraguay's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
5. To develop a business plan for the Paraguayan Market

Sample of the subject - Doing Business in Paraguay:

Subject Description (Doing Business in Paraguay):

The Republic of Paraguay.

1. Paraguay has significant water resources; the Guarani Aquifer System is the largest reservoir of fresh water in the World.
2. Paraguay’s rivers make their land very suitable for soybeans and cotton (main export products).
3. Borders of the Republic of Paraguay: Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina.
4. Paraguay has two official languages: Spanish and Guarani.
5. Capital: Asunción
6. Paraguayan Population: 7 millions of people
7. Area: 406,752 km²
8. Religion in Paraguay: Christianity (Catholicism: 6 million).
9. Paraguay belongs to the Latin American Economic Area of the Western Christian Civilization
10. Independence from Spain: 1811
11. Abolition of slavery in Paraguay: 1842
12. African Diaspora in Paraguay: 0.2 millions of people (3.5% of the Paraguayan population)

Paraguayan Economy.

1. The Economy of the Republic of Paraguay (America) is small and open, with extensive reliance on international trade and local commerce.
2. Paraguayan economy is based on the production and export of few agricultural products (soybeans and vegetable oils) and meat.
3. Business related to import and re-export of consumer products is strong in the informal economic sector.
4. Paraguayan services sector represents 49% of the gross domestic product.
5. Paraguay-Parana Waterway is intended to make the transportation system between the Parana region (Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina)
6. Production structure of the Republic of Paraguay has undergone profound changes, such as agriculture
7. Paraguayan gross domestic product showed a negative growth rate of -3.8%.
8. Itaipu hydroelectric dam is a joint venture between Paraguay and Brazil located on the Parana River; the dam is the world's largest hydroelectric central. The energy produced by Itaipu would be enough to supply electricity consumption worldwide for two days
9. The currency is the Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)
10. New Law on Public-Private Partnerships

Foreign Trade of Paraguay.

1. The total Paraguayan exports: 13,116 million dollars
2. The main Paraguayan export products were: soybean (47%), vegetable oils (52%,) and meat products (5%).
3. Imports fell by 24%.
4. SOFIA System is a computerized customs clearance system that interacts directly with Customs Brokers, Transport Companies, Custodians, Customs Officials, and the organizations linked to International Trade.

Paraguay's Free Trade Agreements (FTA)

The Republic of Paraguay has preferential access to:

1. MERCOSUR (Paraguay was suspended of the MERCOSUR in 2012-2013)
2. Latin American Integration Association (ALADI)
3. Andean Community (associate member)
4. Paraguay has bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the European Union (EU), India, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
5. Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)
6. Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)