RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, indicated that his country’s geographical position and port vocation would be very useful for Paraguayan production and exports to grow.
“I am convinced that Uruguay is the natural outlet to the sea for Paraguay,” he said this Sunday in his meeting with Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benítez.
Lacalle highlighted Paraguay’s productive growth in recent years, especially in the meat sector, and pointed out enormous possibilities for cooperation to increase this growth. Both countries are characterized by their agricultural and meat production, and these economies can complement each other.
He cited as an example of this beneficial relationship Paraguayan meat exports for the Uruguayan domestic market, considering that Uruguay exports a large part of its production.
In the case of Paraguay, there has been an increase in investments and Uruguayans settling in the country, dedicated to agricultural and livestock production in the Chaco. President Abdo Benítez mentioned that 1.8 million hectares and 500,000 head of cattle in the country belong to Uruguayan producers.
Lacalle pointed out that his country “has a history and vocation of being a port of access and exit for South America, which Paraguay can take advantage of”. He added that he talked with Abdo Benítez about “the increase of ports and free trade zones available to Paraguay, which will contribute to its economic development”.
“The installation of ports with Paraguayan products will generate a very positive synergy,” said the Uruguayan president. He also thanked Paraguay’s position within Mercosur for “not intervening in Uruguay’s pretension to open the bloc to new markets”.
President Abdo referred to the opening of the Paraguayan market for new products, such as yerba mate.