AGP Executive Report

Paraguay Industry & Trade: Brazil’s manufacturers keep “pulling” production into Paraguay for lower costs, competitive taxes, and abundant renewable energy—an expansion trend that’s now drawing political heat in São Paulo. MICE & Tourism: Paraguay was named “Revelation of the Region” at FIEXPO Latin America, a win credited to tighter public-private coordination aimed at growing meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Culture & Industry Soft Power: The French Embassy in Asunción launched “Art in the Timeline: 40 Years of Paraguayan Creation,” spotlighting national visual production since the 1980s—another signal of Paraguay’s growing cultural visibility. Energy & Security Diplomacy: Paraguay is set to sign security and nuclear energy deals with the U.S., aligning industrial cooperation with broader infrastructure and safety priorities. World Cup Spillover (Local Economy Angle): Paraguay’s presence in the World Cup conversation continues to boost regional attention and fan activity tied to major host-city events and viewing hubs.

Paraguay’s “Pull” for manufacturers: Brazilian firms are increasingly shifting production to Paraguay to cut costs, taxes, and tap abundant renewable energy—prompting public pushback in São Paulo, where officials warn of lost industrial investment. Local industry expansion: Karsten opened a factory in Minga Guazú; DassTex launched a major operation in Mariano Roque Alonso; Lupo expanded under Paraguay’s maquila regime in Ciudad del Este. Trade & investment spotlight: Paraguay also secured international recognition for its MICE sector, winning FIEXPO Latin America’s “Revelation of the Region” award, citing strong public-private coordination. Energy diplomacy: A joint statement condemning the May 17 drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Plant was issued by a wide coalition including Paraguay, underscoring the country’s growing presence in nuclear and security discussions. Payments innovation: Paradigm-backed El Dorado raised $9M to scale stablecoin-powered cross-border payments across the region, explicitly targeting corridors that include Paraguay.

Paraguay Constitution Day Holiday Shift: President Santiago Peña moved the 1992 Constitution Day public holiday to Monday, June 22, from Saturday, June 20, aiming for broader participation and a longer three-day weekend that could lift domestic tourism. Creative Industries Spotlight: Asunción-based fashion designer Julián Shigeyuki marks 15 years building a Paraguayan fashion identity that blends Japanese heritage with local craft, now expanding into creative direction and fragrance. World Cup-Linked Tech & Education: Paraguay partnered with Starlink to connect 1,600 schools to high-speed internet, a boost for education access as the country’s visibility rises alongside the tournament. Sports Economy Angle (Regional): The U.S. opener vs Paraguay drew record U.S. TV audiences, underlining how major events can accelerate demand for local watch parties, hospitality, and logistics services across the region.

Paraguay–U.S. Deals: President Santiago Peña says Paraguay will soon sign cooperation agreements with the United States on security and nuclear energy (including study of Small Modular Reactor options), after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the World Cup in Los Angeles. Energy Transition: The government frames the nuclear talks as part of diversifying Paraguay’s mostly hydro-based power system, alongside earlier steps with the IAEA. Constitution Day Holiday: Peña also moved Paraguay’s 1992 Constitution Oath holiday to Monday, June 22 from Saturday, June 20, aiming for broader participation and a longer weekend that could lift domestic tourism. Creative Industries Spotlight: Asunción-based fashion designer Julián Shigeyuki marks 15 years building a Paraguayan fashion identity that blends Japanese heritage with local craft, expanding into creative direction and fragrance. Local Industry Angle: With Paraguay’s energy and trade agenda moving forward, the week’s biggest business signal is how investment, infrastructure, and energy diversification are being tied to international partnerships.

Diplomacy & Energy: Paraguay says it will soon sign U.S. cooperation deals on security and nuclear energy, after President Santiago Peña met Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the USA–Paraguay World Cup match in Los Angeles. Trade & Connectivity: Talks also covered beef import access and a push for a direct air link. World Cup Impact (Paraguay–Industry Angle): The U.S. routed Paraguay 4-1 in the opener, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Christian Pulisic setting the tone—another reminder that major sports events can quickly shift demand for travel, hospitality, and local watch-party services across the region. Local Economy & Tourism: From Bay Area fan zones to New Orleans pub gatherings, Paraguay supporters and U.S. fans are spending on tickets, food, and events—fueling short-term revenue for venues and logistics providers. Energy Transition: Paraguay continues moving beyond hydro dependence, including work tied to Small Modular Reactor studies via ANDE and the IAEA.

Paraguay-Linked Tech & Diplomacy: Taiwan is moving ahead with a $200 million data center project in Paraguay, aiming to deliver 10 MW of computing capacity by end-2027 and to deepen the Taiwan–Paraguay alliance via a shared digital entity. World Cup Business Buzz (US vs Paraguay): The U.S. opened its home World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, powered by Folarin Balogun’s two goals and a late Gio Reyna strike, while the sellout crowd and star-studded opening ceremony (Katy Perry, David Beckham, Tom Cruise and more) turned the match into a major entertainment-and-travel draw. Fan Economy & Logistics: Ticket prices for the next U.S. matches reportedly jumped sharply after the Paraguay rout, and fans across multiple cities leaned into watch parties and local events—showing how quickly World Cup demand can spill into hospitality and transport. Security & Consumer Risk: FIFA ticket scams are circulating online, with warnings to double-check official domains and avoid lookalike sites.

World Cup Kickoff Impact: The U.S. opened its home FIFA World Cup campaign with a statement 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, powered by Folarin Balogun’s two first-half goals and a creative spark from Christian Pulisic—though the night carried a worry after Pulisic was subbed at halftime with a calf tightness. Match Highlights: The hosts surged to 3-0 at halftime after an early Paraguay own goal, then Paraguay pulled one back before Giovanni Reyna sealed the win deep into stoppage time. Fan & Industry Angle: The game drew a major celebrity crowd and helped fuel packed local watch parties, showing how the tournament is turning into a fast-moving boost for hospitality and entertainment demand across host cities. Next Up: The U.S. now turns to Group D matches against Australia and Turkey, with fitness updates likely to shape expectations.

World Cup Kickoff in the Region: The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and Paraguay’s spotlight hits tonight as the USA hosts Paraguay at SoFi Stadium (9 p.m. ET), with fans packing local watch parties and streaming options across North America. Paraguay in the Spotlight: Coverage frames Paraguay as a tough, defense-first opponent for the Group D opener, while prediction markets and betting promos flood in ahead of kickoff. Fan & Business Push: Multiple outlets highlight how matchday viewing is driving foot traffic for bars, restaurants, and community events tied to the tournament. Canada’s Opening Ceremony Buzz: Canada’s home opener came with a major Toronto ceremony featuring Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, and more—setting the tone for the expanded 48-team spectacle. Tech & Power Angle: HIVE Digital Technologies says it’s scaling renewable-powered HPC and AI capacity, including operations in Paraguay, as it targets major growth by 2028.

USMNT vs Paraguay Kickoff: The U.S. men open their 2026 World Cup campaign Friday against Paraguay in Inglewood, with coach Mauricio Pochettino pushing a more aggressive “not the good guys” mindset as Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah lead the charge. Local Watch-Party Economy: Across the U.S., bars and fan zones are gearing up for a surge in customers for the USA–Paraguay match, with venues promising specials, extended hours, and big-screen broadcasts to boost slow-season sales. World Cup Tech & Infrastructure: Host cities and stadiums are still in build-and-upgrade mode, including major pitch preparations at NFL venues and city fan installations designed to handle crowds safely. Paraguay Spotlight: Coverage keeps returning to Paraguay’s role in Group D as the opponent the U.S. must beat to set up knockout hopes.

World Cup Kickoff & Paraguay Focus: FIFA World Cup 2026 starts today with Mexico vs. South Africa, and attention quickly turns to USMNT vs. Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium as coaches and fans gear up for the opener. Fan & Media Build-Up: Paraguay’s campaign is being framed through coach Gustavo Alfaro’s “underdog” mindset, while U.S. coverage leans on momentum from recent friendlies and star fitness updates ahead of the Paraguay match. Local Watch Parties (Industry Angle): Across the U.S., venues are rolling out World Cup viewing events—like Tampa Bay’s waterfront watch party series and Orlando’s free festival—showing how matchday entertainment is driving hospitality demand. Digital & Connectivity: Paraguay is also in the spotlight for tech access, with reports that it partnered with Starlink to connect 1,600 schools to high-speed internet. Trade & Tech Context: Separately, the EU and Brazil are signing a digital partnership to reduce reliance on U.S. technology, a reminder that Paraguay’s Mercosur ties keep pulling the region into global tech and business shifts.

World Cup Kickoff (Paraguay in Focus): The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts Thursday with Mexico vs. South Africa, and Paraguay’s long-awaited return follows Friday when the U.S. hosts Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood—an opener that’s already drawing major attention from Paraguayan fans abroad, many priced out of Los Angeles but planning Bay Area matches. Local Industry Angle (Maquila & Jobs): Paraguay’s maquila model continues to pull investment, with 232 Brazilian firms operating in Paraguay since 2007—spanning apparel, textiles, auto parts, processed foods, and electronics—boosted by predictable, simplified taxation and logistics into Mercosur. Energy Transition: Solar expansion is accelerating in Paraguay’s Chaco, supported by new rules under Law 7599/2025, with rural producers and industries adopting photovoltaic systems for pumping, irrigation, and daily operations. Sports Tech & Infrastructure: FIFA’s push for natural-grass play is driving advanced turf work, including a hybrid approach tied to World Cup venue preparation.

Paraguay Export Push: Paraguay launched “Paraguay Exporta +” through MIC/Rediex at FEPY 2026, offering training and technical support in export processes and market analysis to help firms expand and diversify abroad, with officials citing manufactured-goods momentum behind ~US$16B in 2025 exports. Energy Transition in the Chaco: Solar expansion is reshaping productive areas in Paraguay’s Chaco as rural industries and Mennonite colonies adopt photovoltaic systems, boosted by Law 7599/2025 that modernizes generation rules for unconventional renewables and opens new commercialization paths. FDI and Investment Signals: Foreign direct investment net inflows rose 26% in March (to $611M), a positive macro note for regional business planning. Drug Trafficking Shift: Paraguayan authorities seized a private jet at Silvio Pettirossi Airport after finding 261.6 kilos of high-THC marijuana, pointing to higher-value cannabis moving into South America, with alleged links to Brazil demand. World Cup Spotlight for Paraguay: With Paraguay’s return to the World Cup after 16 years, Paraguayan fans in the U.S. are organizing watch parties and planning trips despite high ticket prices, including the U.S.-Paraguay opener in California.

Paraguay Investment Push: Paraguay has greenlit 12 new investment projects totaling about US$42.6M, expected to create 390 jobs across biofuels, plastics, textiles and clothing, agro-industry, animal feeds, sanitary disposables, food products, and even electronics—an effort to broaden industrial diversification. World Cup Spotlight for Industry & Trade: With Paraguay’s first World Cup match in 16 years just days away, the country’s football momentum is spilling into the economy and logistics around the US-hosted tournament, including major attention on the USMNT vs. Paraguay opener at SoFi Stadium. Culture & Creative Industry: Asunción is set to host a world premiere of Juan Sebastián Giménez Riveros’s “Danza Paraguaya N° 3,” free to the public, while “Basura,” a musical based on Paraguay’s Cateura Recycled Instruments Orchestra, continues its run in Atlanta—both examples of Paraguayan creativity reaching global audiences. Deforestation Debate: New research argues that stopping tropical rainforest loss isn’t only about monitoring and certification; it also needs a broader shift in social norms to drive real change.

Paraguay Investment Push: Paraguay has greenlit 12 new investment projects totaling US$42.64M, expected to create 390 jobs across biofuels, plastics, textiles, agro-industry, food products, electronics, and sanitary/disposable goods. World Cup Trade & Industry Angle: With Paraguay’s Group D opener vs the U.S. on June 12 at SoFi Stadium, the tournament is also driving major logistics and hospitality demand—while U.S. stadium workers warn of possible strikes that could disrupt match operations. Energy & Mining Watch: Uranium Energy reported progress on its Berkolo project and highlighted its Alta Parana project in Paraguay as part of a broader push to feed U.S. critical-minerals supply chains. Culture With Local Roots: Asunción’s contemporary music scene gets a boost with a free premiere of “Danza Paraguaya N° 3” at Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane, spotlighting countryside-inspired composition. Circular Economy Spotlight: The musical “Basura” brings Paraguay’s Cateura recycled-instruments story to Atlanta, turning landfill creativity into a global stage hit.

World Cup kickoff logistics: The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts June 11 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with 48 teams and 104 matches, and Paraguay fans get a direct storyline: the U.S. opens against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Local fan economy: Watch parties and matchday deals are rolling out fast, from major venues in Las Vegas to community gatherings in the Hudson Valley, showing how soccer is turning bars and restaurants into industry hubs. Stadium labor risk: SoFi Stadium hospitality workers have voted to authorize a strike, raising the odds of disruption for the Paraguay–U.S. opener. Matchday consumption: Food and beverage brands are launching World Cup menus and limited items, while merch demand keeps climbing. Air cargo and trade support: IATA expanded its CASS settlement service in Latin America, with Paraguay exports planned for late 2026—an industry signal for logistics growth. Paraguay in the spotlight: Coverage also highlights Paraguay’s place in Group D and the broader push to convert home-tournament attention into long-term soccer momentum.

Air Cargo Payments: IATA expanded its CASS settlement service in Latin America, adding domestic Mexico and planning exports from Paraguay later in 2026—aimed at keeping billing and payments moving as regional air freight grows. EU-Mercosur Debate: A new op-ed challenges the EU-Mercosur “geopolitical win” narrative, arguing bilateral deals can deepen fragmentation and strain industrial, social, and environmental conditions. Paraguay in the Spotlight: With the World Cup about to kick off, Paraguay’s Group D role is front and center—especially as the U.S. prepares for its opener vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. Stadium Labor Risk: Los Angeles venue SoFi Stadium faces a potential hospitality strike over pay and concerns about ICE presence, raising the odds of operational disruptions for the USA vs Paraguay match. UNESCO & Nature: UNESCO biosphere coverage expands again, including Paraguay’s South of Alto Paraná designation—highlighting conservation and restoration work tied to local ecosystems. World Cup Tech & Turf: FIFA’s hybrid grass push and years of turf engineering are in focus as stadium crews prepare 104 matches across three host countries.