Metallurgical, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, main beneficiaries of the raw material import regime

Illustration / Photo MIC.

Asuncion, IP Agency.- More than 240 companies established in Paraguay benefited from the special regime for the import of raw materials, which allowed them to make purchases worth 203 million dollars during the first six months of the year.

According to the latest report from the Directorate of Special Regimes, of the Vice Ministry of Industry, dependent on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), In these first six months of 2024, there was significant growth in raw material imports in various areas, registering values ​​USD 47 million higher than those recorded in the first half of last year.

In the first half of the year, a total of 2,711 import applications were approved, representing an increase of 16% compared to the first half of last year, when the number of applications was 2,334.

Of the total registered imports, 61% came from China, followed by India with 10%, the United States with 6%, Japan with 5%, Turkey with 3% and Spain with 2%.

Of the 240 companies benefiting, more than 79% belong to the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, with 23%; followed by metal products, with 21%; rubber and plastic products, with 14%; food and beverages, with 12%; and textile and clothing manufacturing, with 9% each.

In June 2024 alone, the Raw Materials Import Regime received a total of 500 import requests, benefiting 127 industries with an approximate investment of USD 53 million.

Main sectors

In the first half of the year, 74% of raw material imports were concentrated in the metallurgical, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Within these, the acquisition of metal products represented 53%, while chemical and pharmaceutical products accounted for 20% each.

Also, the manufacture of tobacco products, with 8%; paper and printing products, 5%; and rubber and plastic products, 3%.

Furthermore, of the total authorized acquisitions, 90% were concentrated in industries located in the department of Central, with a share of 77%, followed by Alto Paraná, with 13%.