The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, carried out a mission to Paraguay focused on growth diplomacy, with a series of institutional meetings and initiatives dedicated to strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries. Undersecretary Tripodi met with Foreign Minister Lezcano and Deputy Ministers Verdun and Aranda to take stock of the main international crises, as well as to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Undersecretary opened the first Italy-Paraguay Economic Forum, dedicated to the prospects for economic and trade cooperation, together with the Deputy Minister of Trade, the Deputy Minister of Energy, and the President of the state-owned electricity company Ande. Representatives from the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), FederUnacoma, ANIE, Leonardo, Rina, Farmindustria, ISS, Sace, Simest, and several Paraguayan companies were also present on the Italian side. In her speech, Undersecretary Tripodi emphasized that the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement signed in Asunción, was “the beginning of a new era for economic relations between our regions.” While highlighting Italy’s contribution and the positive trend in bilateral relations -with trade reaching €162 million in 2024, €109 million of which was Italian exports – Undersecretary Tripodi emphasized the strong complementarity between Paraguay’s development needs and the expertise of the Italian manufacturing system: “From agricultural mechanization to electricity distribution solutions, from the defence and pharmaceutical sectors to major civil works, our companies provide not just mere supplies, but a true technological partnership, ready to lead Paraguay toward a new phase of industrial development, also through greater economic cooperation, as strongly advocated by Prime Minister Meloni and President Santiago Peña.
The Undersecretary concluded: “The visit to Asunción has been particularly fruitful. Italy continues to open up to new emerging markets, in line with the National Export Plan promoted by Minister Tajani.”
