Asunción, Agencia IP.- At the close of December 2023, maquila industries exported USD 1.039 billion in consumer goods and intangible services, reported the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC).
According to the latest report from the National Council of Export Maquila Industries (Cnime), the export of consumer goods reached a total of USD 1.004 billion at the end of 2023, while exports of intangible services amounted to USD 35 million.
81% of the products sent abroad by maquila industries are primarily concentrated in five sectors, led by the auto parts sector with a 28% share, followed by the segments of garments and textiles with 19%, food products with 16%, aluminum, and its manufactures with 11%, and plastics and their manufactures with 7%.
Regarding the main export destinations, the report highlights that in 2023, 70% of shipments went to Mercosur countries, among which Brazil stands out with a 55% share, followed by Argentina with 13%, followed by the United States with 7%, the Netherlands with 6%, Chile with 4%, Singapore and Uruguay with 3% and 2%, respectively.
It is worth mentioning that, at the close of December last year, investments under this regime in the country amounted to USD 48.7 million, a 164% increase from 2022. There are 289 companies with an approved maquila program within the national territory, of which 32 programs were approved in 2023.
Job generation
On the other hand, it is essential to note that maquiladora industries represent a significant segment of job creation in the country. The report indicates that, at the end of 2023, direct employment reached a total of 25,028 workers, a 6% increase from the same period in the previous year.
According to the recorded data, 45% of these positions are occupied by women, while men hold 55%. Additionally, the main sectors where jobs related to maquiladora industries are recorded are auto parts and garments, each with 25%, followed by intangible services at 10%, plastics and their manufacturers at 8%, and pharmaceutical products at 5%.
Together, these sectors are responsible for over 74% of job creation in the maquila industry.
Notably, 95% of maquiladora industries are concentrated in four points within the national territory. The first corresponds to the Alto Paraná Department with 50%, followed by Central and Capital, where 38% of all maquiladora industries are concentrated. Finally, the remaining 7% is located in the Amambay Department.
Trade balance
On the other hand, imports of inputs destined for industrial transformation under the maquila regime reached a total of USD 495 million, reflecting highly positive data within the trade balance, as exports exceed purchases by more than 103%, reflecting the country’s good dynamism.