Early 2025 Sees Paraguay's Maquila Industry Exports Grow by 23%, Reaching $197 Million
Paraguay's maquila industry (assembly and processing industry producing goods for export) has experienced explosive growth since early 2025, with exports reaching $197 million. This figure represents a 23% increase compared to the same period last year, amounting to $37 million.
According to Natalia Caceres, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Council of Export Maquila Industries of Paraguay, this positive performance is attributable to several factors. "The maquila industry is expanding its production capacity, which leads to increased export volumes. Additionally, the active establishment of new industries is contributing to industrial expansion," Caceres stated.
Job Creation and Increased Added Value: Key Drivers of Industry Growth
Caceres emphasized that the maquila industry contributes to job creation and increased added value, driving production growth. "There is a trend of increasing investment in infrastructure and technology within the industry, which leads to improved efficiency and productivity for maquila companies," she added.
Key industrial sectors driving this growth include automotive parts (30% of total exports), aluminum products and manufactures (18%), apparel and textiles (17%), food (10%), and plastics and manufactures (10%).
Caceres highlighted that Paraguayan companies are successfully internationalizing through the maquila system and are opening up new export markets.
Maximizing Job Creation Effects: 6,600 Jobs Created in One Year
One of the most significant aspects of the maquila industry's growth is its job creation effect. According to Caceres, the number of workers within the maquila system increased by 26% compared to February 2024. In absolute terms, employment rose from 25,600 jobs in February 2024 to 32,232 jobs in February 2025, creating 6,600 new jobs in just one year.
"Employment growth has been particularly notable in recent months, with 1,542 new jobs created in February 2025 alone. This underscores the industry's importance in providing quality, stable jobs for the Paraguayan workforce," Caceres noted.
Employment Concentrated in Key Industrial Sectors: Automotive Parts, Apparel, and Services
73% of the jobs created in the maquila industry are concentrated in automotive parts, apparel, intangible services, pharmaceutical chemicals, and plastics and manufacturing. Additionally, women account for 45% of total employment, demonstrating efforts towards equal opportunity.
77% of total exports go to Mercosur member countries, with Brazil being the largest market, accounting for 64% of exports, and Argentina accounting for 12%. The remaining 23% is exported to the Netherlands, the United States, Spain, and Bolivia, each accounting for 3% of total exports.
Bright Future Prospects: Aiming to Attract Foreign Investment and Sustain Industrial Growth
With these positive indicators, the outlook for Paraguay's maquila industry is bright. Caceres stated that the goal is to surpass the records of 2024 and continue to attract foreign and domestic investment. "We are actively working to attract new foreign and multinational industries to Paraguay, which will further contribute to industrial development," she noted.
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