Paraguay
ParaguayParaguay congress votes 10% export tax on grains and soybeans. Cartes expected to veto the bill
A controversial bill imposing a 10% tax on grains and oil seeds exported in their natural state was finally approved by the Paraguayan congress. The bill presented in 2012 was passed in the Senate, rejected in the Lower House and again ratified by the Upper House, however Deputies could not round up the necessary 53 votes to again reject it.
Venezuela insists in re-establishing full relations with Paraguay, but legal obstacles remain
Venezuela and Paraguay need to re-establish full relations and overcome “all the obstacles that need to be overcome”, said Foreign minister Elías Jaua currently in Asunción, a special guest of his counterpart Eladio Loizaga.
Venezuelan minister invited to Paraguay: Mercosur and bilateral relations in the agenda
Venezuela Foreign minister Elias Jaua is expected Wednesday in Asuncion, a guest of the Paraguayan government to talk about bilateral relations, Mercosur and to advance in negotiations of common interest, according to sources from the administration of President Horacio Cartes.
UK offers Paraguay cooperation in transport and infrastructure at embassy ceremony
The UK is back in full force in Latinamerica, and particularly in Paraguay, the fastest growing economy in the region, said Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire during the inauguration of the British embassy in Asunción, which had been shut down back in 2005.
Brazil offers Paraguay Mercosur chair, but apparently Argentina is not convinced
Brazil offered Paraguay the rotating chair of Mercosur as of next December, as part of an overall understanding to have the landlocked country return to the block, while accepting the incorporation of Venezuela as a full member of the group. Paraguay rejects Venezuela’s membership alleging it was done against the will of its Senate and in breach of national and international law and of the Mercosur charter.
Minister Swire opens the British embassy in Asuncion after a break of eight years
Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire formally opened on Wednesday the British Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay which will be headed by Ambassador Jeremy Hobbs. Accompanied by Paraguayan Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga, he hailed the opening a symbol of the UK’s continued engagement in Latin America.
Rousseff reminds Cartes that Paraguay belongs to Mercosur and is strategic for Brazil
Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff received her peer from Paraguay, Horacio Cartes with full head of state honours but at the same time reminded him that Paraguay is a full member of Mercosur and “bilateral relations are in the context of multilateral relations with all countries of the hemisphere”.
UK reopens embassy in Asuncion which was closed since 2005
The British embassy in Paraguay which was remained closed since 2005 will be reopened this week according to Paraguayan foreign minister Eladio Loizaga. The news was confirmed following a meeting of the Paraguayan official with Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Paraguayan economy boosted by agriculture expanding at an annual 13.3%
Paraguay’s GDP expanded 13.3% in the second quarter of this year boosted by agriculture and beef exports, according to the latest release from the Central bank. Agriculture has proved the most dynamic sector with 6.2% growth helping Paraguay to have the fastest growing economy this year in Latam following on a 0.9% retraction last year, because of an extended drought.
Paraguay’s Cartes in Brazil to discuss trade, security, cooperation and Mercosur
Paraguay president Horacio Cartes arrived Monday morning to Brazil for a round of talks with President Dilma Rousseff which includes political, economic, energy, trade and security issues, plus the full return of Paraguay to Mercosur, an intricate matter dating back to events of June 2012.
