USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON PARAGUAY

1. Country Brief:

A. Introduction -  In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then

B. Climate -The climate is subtropical in most of eastern Paraguay, which mainly lies south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and tropical in most of the Chaco Boreal extending to its north. Masses of humid air blanket the country in the summers, and the winters are subject to cold southern winds. Summer temperatures between October and March generally range from 77° F to 104° F (25° C to 40° C). Winter temperatures usually range from 61° F to 73° F (16° C to 23° C), although extremes of 30° F and 104° F (-1° C and 40° C) are not uncommon. Frost occurs frequently in the Paraneña region. The annual average rainfall in eastern Paraguay varies from 65 inches (1,600 millimetres) in the southeast to about 55 inches along the Paraguay River. It diminishes gradually westward across the Chaco Boreal, averaging about 30 inches. The heaviest rainfall is from October to April. The entire country is subject to periodic floods and droughts, both of which cause severe agricultural losses.

C. Geographical Area - 153,398 sq mi (397,301 sq km); total area: 157,047 sq mi (406,750 sq km)

D. Language - Spanish, Guaraní (both official)

E. Currency With Exchange Rate - Paraguay Guarani (PYG)

1.00 PYG = 0.000198216 USD

F. Population - (2006 est.): 6,506,464

G. Major Cities - Ciudad del Este, San Lorenzo

2. Transportation:

A. Railway - total: 441 km (2002).

B. Road - total: 29,500 km; paved: 14,986 km; unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est.)

C. Airports - 879 (2002).

D. Waterways - 3,100 km

E. Sea ports - Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

3. Economy:

A. Major Manufacturing - 

B. Major Export - $3.13 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather.

C. Major Import - $3.832 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery.

D. Major Industry - sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power.

E. Trade balance -

4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Paraguay:

Major Trade Associations

Chambers of Commerce

Major Trade Shows

5. Useful links:

Paraguay Importers, Dealers of Japanese Used Cars, Construction Machinery & Auto Parts