Asunción, Agencia IP.- The Italian Ambassador to Paraguay, Marcello Fondi, highlighted the strengthening of economic relations between the two countries, the opportunities presented by the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, and Paraguay’s progress in positioning its national brand internationally.
During an interview on the program Tribuna, broadcast on Paraguay TV, the diplomat noted that diplomatic and commercial activities aim to expand ties between the two countries and create new opportunities for cooperation.
«It is a pleasure to return to this station to talk about economic relations, I would say today more than ever, between Paraguay and Italy, and to inform the public about what is happening in terms of activities to further develop bilateral relations in the interest of both countries,» he stated.
In that regard, he indicated that there is ample room to deepen trade between the two nations. «Today, Italy is only Paraguay’s 19th trading partner worldwide. And we have the numbers, the quality, the capacity to be, at least, the 4th or 5th,» he stated.
Opportunities of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement
The Ambassador emphasized that the new trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union opens up a landscape of opportunities to expand bilateral trade.
«Paraguay can look at this agreement with confidence and, at the same time, with caution, because trade is a very complex matter. There are gains and losses; we have to see what the final balance is,» he explained.
However, he stressed that the new trade framework will allow for a significant reduction in tariffs. «Without a doubt, the new trade cooperation framework foresees a drastic reduction in tariffs. Europe is opening up to Mercosur products,» he affirmed.
The diplomat added that once the agreement is ratified by Paraguay, concrete effects on economic exchange between the two countries can take effect. «Once the agreement is ratified here in Paraguay, it can be applied on a temporary basis, without waiting for final ratification by the 27 European countries,» he explained.
In that context, he highlighted Paraguay’s position in the bloc’s internal negotiations. «Securing quotas of 25% of the total achieved by Mercosur, which means equal quotas among the four countries, including Brazil and Argentina, is very important,» he stated.
At the same time, he noted that the challenge will be to fully capitalize on these trade opportunities.
Country branding and traceability
The Italian Ambassador to Paraguay, Marcello Fondi, emphasized the strengthening of economic relations between the two countries, the opportunities arising from the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, and Paraguay’s progress in positioning its country brand internationally.
Fondi also highlighted the importance of strengthening traceability systems to consolidate the international positioning of Paraguayan products.
«Traceability isn’t just about finding out where a product comes from, but about identifying a brand, a country brand. That’s how international trade works now,» he explained.
According to him, producing countries achieve greater competitiveness when the quality of their products is directly associated with their origin. «The countries of origin are a guarantee, the best guarantee a country can offer, so that, in global markets, the quality of a product is identified with a country or region,» he noted.
In this context, he praised the progress Paraguay has made in recent years in terms of international positioning. «I can confirm that the country brand has made incredible progress. What has been done in the last three years is plain for all to see,» he stated.
The diplomat explained that the country has improved its visibility across various international arenas. “Today, the country is much better known in Europe than before, and particularly in Italy,” he stated, highlighting the increased visibility achieved through sporting events, conferences, and regional cooperation.
Visit of the Italian Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ambassador also announced that the Italian Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, will arrive in our country next week as part of the bilateral agenda between the two nations.
He indicated that the visit is one of the outcomes of President Santiago Peña’s official mission to Italy in October 2025.
«This visit is part of the results of the achievements obtained thanks to the last visit of President Peña to Italy,» he stated.
According to him, this meeting sparked new cooperation initiatives in various areas. «Since this visit, many things have moved forward at all levels: political, economic, and commercial,» he maintained.
He also emphasized the symbolic and practical importance of this diplomatic mission. «Vice Minister Tripodi’s visit is the first by a European vice minister to Paraguay since the signing of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which is symbolic but also has a very practical meaning,» he indicated.
During her agenda in the country, the Italian official will hold meetings with authorities, trade associations, and representatives of the private sector. «The objective of the visit, which will take place next week, is to engage with our Paraguayan counterparts, with trade associations, business organizations, and entrepreneurs, to see where there is the greatest potential for developing economic relations in our mutual interest,» he explained.
Business sector highlights Peña’s international leadership
For his part, the President of the Italian-Paraguayan Chamber of Commerce, Fernando Becconi, emphasized that the economic relationship between the two countries has shown sustained growth in recent years.
«The relationship between Italy and Paraguay is one that, as we say in Italian, is ‘increscendo‘ (growing steadily). We are making constant progress in terms of numbers,» he stated.
The President of the Italian-Paraguayan Chamber of Commerce, Fernando Becconi, highlighted that the economic relationship between the two countries has shown sustained growth in recent years.
According to him, the progress is reflected in increased trade and investment. «We have taken many steps forward in terms of trade, both in exports and imports, in foreign direct investment, and in the number of individuals and companies investing in Paraguay,» he noted.
Becconi also highlighted the growing interest of Italian companies in exploring opportunities in the country, including projects related to industrial development.
Finally, he praised President Peña’s role in promoting Paraguay internationally. «Without a doubt, he paves the way for us; President Peña’s international presence is highly beneficial, and in particular, with Italy, he has created the right conditions and environment for strengthening our trade and commercial ties with Italy,» he concluded.
At the close of the interview, both the Ambassador and the President of the Italian-Paraguayan Chamber of Commerce agreed that strengthening political dialogue, updating legal instruments, and leveraging the new trade framework between Mercosur and the European Union could usher in a new era in the relationship between Paraguay and Italy.
In this context, they emphasized that the country’s international standing, the promotion of its national brand, and the growing interest of European companies in investing in the Paraguayan market create a favorable environment for deepening trade, technology, and cooperation ties in the coming years.