Authorities from Paraguay and Brazil reaffirm their willingness to promote the construction of an international bridge over the Apa River

Asuncion, IP Agency.- Representatives from Paraguay and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to the construction of a bridge over the Apa River, which will link the city of San Lázaro and the municipality of Puerto Murtinho, during a recent meeting held in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. This strategic infrastructure project seeks to strengthen bilateral relations and improve regional integration.

The meeting was attended by the governor of Mato Grosso, Eduardo Riedel, local parliamentarians and the prefect of Puerto Murtinho, Nelson Citra, from Brazil. On the Paraguayan side, the mayor of San Lázaro, Joaquina Azuaga, municipal councilors, departmental deputies from Concepción and Fabio Riveros, from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, attended.

The authorities reaffirmed their willingness to continue moving forward with the efforts to build the bridge, a project agreed upon years ago by the presidents of both nations. “This agreement was already signed a few years ago as a result of an understanding between the presidents of both countries,” Riveros said.

In 2019, Paraguay enacted Law 6342 approving the bilateral agreement for the construction of the international bridge over the Apa River.

That law was issued in 2019, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, Riveros said, adding that the global health emergency delayed progress, but that the recent meeting revived joint efforts.

A key step towards achieving this goal is the ratification of the agreement by the Brazilian Congress. In this regard, Brazilian regional authorities, including Governor Riedel and Prefect Citra, have committed to take the necessary steps to this end.

Design and construction by Paraguay

Paraguay has committed to fully finance the construction costs of the bridge, including the preparation of the necessary designs and studies.

This bridge will not only strengthen integration with Brazil, but will also be part of the Bioceanic Corridor under construction between Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile.

Riveros indicated that with the completion of this bridge in San Lázaro, the departments of Concepción and Amambay will be connected more quickly to the Bioceanic Corridor.

The meeting concluded with the decision of the authorities of both countries to continue working in a coordinated manner to make the bridge a reality, which is of great importance for economic development and regional integration.