Asuncion, IP Agency.- The Government acknowledged the contribution that Mercosur has been making by financing 18 projects through Focem, including the second stage of the emblematic Costanera Norte project.
The unveiling of a monolith and a commemorative plaque at the point where this work begins was part of the actions carried out this Sunday, July 7, within the framework of the activities of the 64th Mercosur Summit.
In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, inaugurated the event with the presence of his counterparts from Argentina, Diana Mondino, from Argentina; from Brazil, Mauro Vieira, from Brazil; from Uruguay, Omar Paganini, from Uruguay; from Bolivia, Celinda Sosa Lunda; and members of the Commission of Permanent Representatives of Mercosur (CRPM).
Ramírez Lezcano stressed that the works on the second part of the Costanera Norte will have a positive impact on the quality of life of its inhabitants and will boost the development of the city in terms of the growth of new areas to be urbanized.
“Thanks to the implementation of the new road structure provided by the Focem Costanera Norte Project, the National Government was able to continue with the execution of the emblematic direct connection between Asunción and the Western Region of Paraguay through the construction of the Héroes del Chaco Bridge,” he said.
He also praised the joint efforts that the regional bloc has been making through Focem, working to “impact the lives of our citizens and build integration.”
The opening ceremony also included remarks by the Minister of Public Works and Communications of Paraguay, Claudia Centurión, and the presence of international delegations accredited in Paraguay.
Mercosur, through Focem, made possible the financing of important large-scale road works. This project, which has already been completed, is located in the Paraguayan capital and includes the second stage of the Avenida Costanera Norte and the Avenida Primer Presidente, with its two viaducts, allowing the connection with Route No. 9 (Transchaco) through the bridge located over the Paraná River.
The 15 km long project is part of the comprehensive set of works by the Government of Paraguay to improve the road and urban infrastructure of Asunción. The investment was USD 82 million, of which USD 57 million corresponded to non-reimbursable resources provided through Focem.
The objective of this construction was to provide the Paraguayan capital with a quick access route to the center of Asunción and to Avda. Artigas, which in turn connects with important national routes, under safer traffic conditions.
Projects funded by Focem
Mercosur has financed a total of 51 projects with non-reimbursable resources from Focem, for an amount of approximately USD 1 billion. Of this total, 18 projects are from Paraguay, 16 from Uruguay, 4 from Argentina, 2 from Brazil and 3 multi-state projects, in addition to 8 institutional projects.
This is the first solidarity financing mechanism of the Mercosur countries, which aims to reduce the asymmetries of the bloc. Maintained with contributions from the Member States, its objective is to finance projects to improve infrastructure, competitiveness and social development in the bloc’s countries.
#Government #recognizes #Focems #contribution #Costanera #Norte #project
2024-07-09 22:04:39
