The United States has reopened its doors to Paraguayan beef after 25 years, President Santiago Peña announced Thursday together with US Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment José W. Fernández and US Ambassador Marc Ostfield, it was reported in Asunción.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña spoke Tuesday in favor of free trade and environmental protection during his appearance before the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) at its Santiago (Chile) headquarters.
US Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment, José W. Fernández is on a South American tour with stops in Uruguay, Chile, and Paraguay to boost green energy developments in the region.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña will be traveling to Santiago for a meeting with his Chilean colleague Gabriel Boric Font on Monday and a conference at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Tuesday, among other engagements. Peña will stay in the Chilean capital until Nov. 8, it was also announced.
Paraguay was given a BB+ rating in Fitch's latest report, which is one step away from investment grade. Although in Asunción the South American country's Economy Ministry highlighted the achievement, the agency also warned about challenges in terms of credibility.
According to the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP), direct investment in the South American country reached a record US$ 725 million last year, it was reported Tuesday in Asunción.
Due to recent heavy rains on the Brazilian side, the tourist attraction of the Iguazú Falls has been closed to visitors at least until Wednesday pending damage assessments given a water flow 16 times higher than usual, it was reported.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has filed a complaint with the Organization of American States (OAS) against Argentina's unacceptable and protectionist decision to impose tolls on barges passing through the Paraná River waterway. However, he failed to mention the neighboring country during his appearance before the continental body's Permanent Council.
During a speech at the Wilson Institute in Washington DC, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña highlighted the importance of Mercosur in the face of the recent Argentine elections - regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 19 ballot - and greenlighted China's approach to the bloc.
Paraguayan authorities expressed their concern Thursday given the dramatic drought causing social, economic, and environmental devastation in the region of Chaco, which is also affecting parts of neighboring Bolivia, it was reported.