The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a US$200 million loan to finance the construction of a strategic section of the Bioceanic Corridor in Paraguay, a regional integration initiative that stretches 3,800 kilometres and seeks to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by land, crossing productive regions of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile, including the Chilean ports of Antofagasta, Iquique and Mejillones. The project is part of the IDB’s South Connection programme, which aims to improve connectivity, strengthen competitiveness and promote sustainable growth in South America.

In Paraguay, the corridor corresponds to National Route PY15, which is 532 kilometres long and connects Carmelo Peralta, on the border with Brazil, with Pozo Hondo, on the border with Argentina. The approved financing will cover:

• The design, construction and maintenance of 102.5 kilometres of Section II.
• The construction of 8 kilometres of access to the city of Mariscal Estigarribia.
• The improvement of 27.3 kilometres of the eastern access to the Loma Plata industrial zone, which serves as a feeder route for the corridor.

The works will directly benefit the departments of Alto Paraguay and Boquerón, areas that account for a significant portion of national agricultural production and where more than 7,000 primary sector producers operate. It is estimated that around 28,700 people will improve their access to hospital services, including more than 1,700 members of indigenous communities, and that 99 population centres, including 23 of these communities, will have better access to secondary education.

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