Asunción, Agencia IP.- The company «Taiwan Master Transportation» plans to establish its first plant for manufacturing electric bus chassis and rapid-charge bodies in Paraguay. This significant step aims to reform Paraguay’s public transportation system while generating approximately 2,600 jobs.
To this end, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and Taiwan Master Transportation signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation for the electric bus industry.
The company is a member of the representative team of DMIT e-Bus of Taiwan, whose President, Ting-Fa Wu, signed the document along with Minister Javier Giménez in the presence of the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, during his official visit to Taipei.
According to the document signed on Tuesday, the company plans to establish its first plant in Paraguay to manufacture electric bus chassis and rapid-charge bodies.
This initiative aims to strengthen the local supply chain of electric buses and create employment opportunities by producing high-quality electric buses to meet market demand.
Additionally, Master Transportation will establish comprehensive after-sales services in Paraguay, including maintenance services, parts supply, online technical support, and assistance in improving Paraguay’s intelligent traffic systems and fleet management systems.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) will provide incentive measures to assist Master Transportation in establishing its manufacturing plant, including site selection, infrastructure, local suppliers, tax incentives, and workforce training.
Multiple benefits for Paraguay
President Santiago Peña highlighted that the establishment of the plant would bring multiple benefits to the country. It would contribute to the reform of the public passenger transport system and transform the lives of millions of Paraguayans through employment opportunities.
«This is not just about putting together batteries, chassis, and covers; it is about the possibility of transforming the lives of millions of Paraguayans. My goal is to improve the public transport system so that in these four years, we can leave behind a public transport system that truly provides dignity and fair treatment to Paraguayans,» President Peña said at the end of the meeting.
Peña reiterated the excellent relationship with Taiwan but admitted that the great challenge is translating that into the interest of Taiwanese companies in both the technology and industrial sectors, stating, «Paraguay offers much more than just diplomatic relations.»
«Paraguay has a very attractive offer for investment settlement, macroeconomic and political stability, and a geographic centrality that places it in a privileged position in the middle of South America to produce for the Latin American market and, of course, utilize electric energy,» he said.
«With this green transition and the green seal that we want Paraguay to be the most sustainable country in the world, making a transition to electric mobility and public transport is a significant step,» Peña added.
Expanding production to regional countries
Once Master Transportation’s manufacturing plant is officially operational in Paraguay, the industry could significantly aid and facilitate Paraguay’s bus replacement program and extend its production to the Mercosur market.
«This marks the final stage of establishing Master Bus as an electric bus manufacturing industry in Paraguay. We are delighted because it means jobs for our youth and an industry that will revolutionize the transportation sector,» said MIC Minister Javier Giménez.
Collaboration of the Paraguayan government
Master Transportation President Ting-Fa Wu noted that President Peña’s visit to the Master Transportation plant last July facilitated collaboration with the Paraguayan government to establish a plant for electric bus production in the country.
He indicated that Master Transportation has made four visits to Paraguay, held numerous meetings, and successfully completed the project planning.
He confirmed they are ready to introduce the latest and safest rapid-charge electric buses in Paraguay and implement high-tech intelligent traffic systems. Wu asserted that the goal is to transform Paraguay into a green country with an advanced intelligent transportation system.
Employment opportunities
Establishing an electric bus manufacturing plant in Paraguay will create 2,600 job opportunities. The plan aims to impact both the internal demand for electric buses made in Paraguay and the export of electric buses and talent to other Mercosur countries.
In line with this, Master Transportation will provide 14 internship opportunities for Paraguayan students studying at the Taiwan Paraguay Polytechnic University in 2024.
«These outstanding students have shown us that Paraguayans are as humble and progressive as the Taiwanese. Therefore, we have even more confidence in promoting this project,» said Ting-Fa Wu, President of the company.