Paraguay

Political relations

Bilateral relations are punctuated by political consultations at senior official level. The most recent were held in Asunción on 8 April 2019. The key themes of our bilateral relations include academic and professional mobility, poverty reduction, democratic and economic governance and cooperation in the field of health.

Economic relations

Paraguay, which is France’s 16th-largest market in Latin America, remains a modest trading partner for France. However, our exports have increased sharply, more than doubling since 2010. In 2018, French exports reached €62 million and imports €30 million. They are largely dominated by chemicals and pharmaceuticals, perfumes and cosmetics.

France’s commercial presence focuses on the medicines and vaccines sector (Sanofi), perfumes and cosmetics (L’Oréal), the automotive industry (Renault, PSA, Michelin, Total), agricultural machinery (Kuhn), agri-food and chemicals (Louis Dreyfus, Roullier Group fertilizers), and the service sector (Oberthur Technologies, CMA-CGM (sea transport), and AXA Assistance insurance). The Accor hotel chain signed a franchise agreement to build an Ibis hotel which opened in September 2010, while a second hotel has opened in Ciudad del Este. Cereals, in particular soybean, and oilseeds, are the top Paraguayan exports to France, followed by spices, essential oils, sugar, yarns, and meat. The presence of French brands is not always represented in the trade balance, as certain products (vehicles) are assembled in or imported from Brazil or Argentina. Finally, the Vatel group opened a hotel school in Asunción in March 2012 and is now established in the premises of the Alliance Française in Asunción.

French firms are showing a growing interest in the opportunities offered by Paraguay, with the help of the Franco-Paraguayan Chamber of Commerce.