Zero Hunger in Schools: some 90,000 MSMEs can participate in the program’s tender

Asuncion, IP Agency.- The National School Feeding Council (CONAE) has identified 90,000 micro, small and medium-sized companies eligible to participate in the “Zero Hunger” program. This was reported yesterday by its members to the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC).

The Vice Minister of MSMEs, Gustavo Giménez, said that 90,000 national micro, small and medium-sized companies have been identified in the 90 priority districts of the country, suitable to provide services to the Zero Hunger program. “Our objective is to hold business meetings in each department to invite MSMEs and family agriculture producers to participate,” he said.

In this context, he pointed out that the first business roundtable will be held on July 23 at the Agricultural Extension Office in San Lorenzo, with more than 560 SMEs and producer organizations already registered.

Regarding the sectors that belong to MSMEs, the head of the Vice Ministry explained that they include the areas of commerce, production of baked goods, chipa, honey, peanuts, milk, among others. He explained that the objective is to ensure that these producers can sell to the winners of the tenders, thus benefiting local economies.

“The idea is to ensure that SMEs have all the necessary tools to actively participate in the Zero Hunger program,” said Giménez.

He explained that currently, more than 560 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and producer organizations have shown interest, with 350 participants in the first information meeting and more than 200 questions received. In economic terms, it is estimated that the program might generate a purchasing potential of USD 20 million for this sector this year, with a long-term goal of reaching USD 100 million by 2027.

“We want 20% of the total calls, which amount to around 528 million dollars, to be allocated to our MSMEs,” said the vice minister. This strategy not only seeks to strengthen the local economy, but also to improve school meals and support national producers, contributing to the sustainable development of the country.

Together with the head of the Ministry of Social Development, Tadeo Roja, Giménez highlighted the confirmation of the winners of the latest tenders and the inter-ministerial coordination to ensure 5% of the resources for the MSME sector and 10% for family farming.