Paraguay economic sectors show growth in maquila and tourism

Paraguay's maquila sector reported USD 1.148 billion in exports between January and September 2026, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. The sector, which employs 36,382 people, saw its primary markets within Mercosur, with Brazil and Argentina as leading destinations. Key export categories include auto parts, apparel, beverages, and aluminum manufactures.

In the tourism sector, Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme emphasized the need for increased investment, formalization, and better access to credit to bolster Paraguay's competitive positioning. This comes as Argentina's Secretary of Tourism, Daniel Scioli, launched a promotional agenda in Paraguay to address a significant tourism trade deficit, which saw a negative balance of over 859,000 passengers in 2025.

Additionally, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) suggested that Paraguay can sustain infrastructure investment while meeting fiscal deficit goals by utilizing public-private partnerships, concessions, and capital markets. Meanwhile, the German Rödl Group is evaluating investment and expansion opportunities in Paraguay to support German companies interested in the local market.