Implementation of a Civil Society Outreach Program on Free Trade with the Paraguayan Private Sector
Overview
The private sector should be the Government’s greatest ally in promoting economic reform and trade policies conducive to increased competitiveness. In Paraguay, CARANA experience suggests that opportunities for private sector dialogue with the government on trade policy and the evolving needs of the Paraguayan productive sector remain very limited. With the current FTAA negotiation process stalled (as prospects for re-launching discussions have dimmed with Brazilian President Lula’s recent declaration that the FTAA is off of Brazil’s agenda), it is increasingly important for Paraguay’s private sector to take a leading role in informing the Government of its needs. Consequently in May 2005, USAID/Asunción solicited CARANA’s involvement in designing and implementing a Civil Society Outreach Program on Free Trade with the Paraguayan private sector. The focus of this program is to stimulate private sector dialogue on important issues related to international trade, with particular consideration given to associations who are in position to sustain the dialogue beyond the initial technical assistance. Specifically, CARANA provided a comprehensive speaker-program from June to December 2005, bringing in six international experts in a variety of fields to stimulate civil society discussion on key issues in international trade. Following extensive discussions during the week of June 6th with key private sector counterparts and Paraguayan opinion leaders, CARANA and USAID/Asunción decided on the overarching theme for the short-term speaker-program: “Ambiente de Negocios y el Proceso Exportador.” This theme was chosen to reflect several USAID priorities in Paraguay: 1. Focus on export development in current SME competitiveness project, Paraguay Vende.
2. Reinforce Government of Paraguay priorities to improve the Paraguayan business climate.
3. Provide continuity and visibility to USAID/Asunción responsiveness to a recent G8 Initiative focusing on the reduction of key business constraints. USAID sponsored a high-profile event in March and will use these events to further the message of the G8 initiative. Counterparts
The primary counterparts for this activity were USAID/Paraguay and the following institutions: | Asociación Paraguaya de Profesionales Graduados en los Estados Unidos (APPG) | Ministry of Foreign Relations | | Association of Prosecutors | Paraguay VENDE | | Cámara de Comercio Paraguayo-Americano (AMCHAM) | Red de Inversión y de las Exportaciones (REDIEX) | | Cámara de Exportadores (CAPEX) | Universidad Cátolica | | Cámara Nacional de Comercio y Servicios (CNCS) | USAID/Asunción | | Cámara Paraguaya de Terminales y Puertos Privados (CATERPA) | Various print and televised media | | Foro Consultivo do Brasil | | Timeframe
This activity was conducted between May and December 2005. Activities
CARANA support in this program included the following: - Provided limited technical assistance in Paraguay to those institutions wishing to co-sponsor this speaker series.
- Provided six recognized international experts/speakers in international trade issues at no cost to the local institutions wishing to organize civil society outreach events for the speaker
- Developed co-financing and cost-sharing options with local institutions. These costs included marketing materials, facilities and equipment rental, coffee breaks and follow-up conference publications.
- Coordinated closely with USAID and the U.S. Embassy public relations team, and when appropriate local media to ensure that we were able to take full advantage of each speaker’s visit to reach a maximum audience.
- Coordinated directly with USAID/Paraguay’s existing program, Paraguay Vende, and other local counterpart institutions to develop suggested programming for possible follow-up activities.
Specifically, CARANA worked closely with Paraguayan Counterparts and USAID/Paraguay to put together the following comprehensive conferences on Free Trade-related topics: | Speaker(s) | Topic(s) | Paraguayan Counterparts | Date | Dr. Enrique Roman
SME Competitiveness Expert, Director of CEPRI
Chile | SME Competitiveness and Liberalized Trade: Lessons Learned from Chile and Potential Lessons for Paraguay | - Cámara de Exportadores (CAPEX)
- Red de Inversión y de las Exportaciones (REDIEX)
- Universidad Cátolica
- Paraguay VENDE
- Asociación Paraguaya de Profesionales Graduados en los Estados Unidos (APPG)
- Various print and televised media
| July 18 – 22, 2005 | Amb. Osvaldo Rosales
Director for International Trade CEPAL
Chile | The Case of Chile: Opportunities and Challenges of Trade Liberalization. Institutional Reforms and Private Sector Role in Promoting Free Trade | - Cámara de Comercio Paraguayo-Americano
- Universidad Cátolica
- Various print media
| July 26 – 28, 2005 | Mr. Ian Thomson
Ex-Director of Transportation, CEPAL
Chile Mr. Martin Sgut
Maritime and Fluvial Transportation and Logistics Expert
Argentina | Transportation and Logistics: Key Factor in Competitiveness and Opportunities for Private Sector Cost Reductions | - Cámara Nacional de Comercio y Servicios (CNS)
- Paraguay Vende
- Cámara Paraguaya de Terminales y Puertos Privados (CATERPA)
- Various print media
| Aug. 22 – 26, 2005 | Mr. Luís M. Martinez
Vice President International Centre for Dispute Resolution - The International Division of the American Arbitration Association
US Ms. Marcela Filloy
Deputy Director Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission
Costa Rica | Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Private Sector Role and Responsibilities | - Cámara Nacional de Comercio y Servicios (CNS)
- Paraguay Vende
- Association of prosecutors
- Business Leaders in Asunción and Ciudad del Este
- AMCHAM
- Foro Consultivo do Brasil
- Various print media
| Sept. 5 – 9, 2005 | Results
USAID/Paraguay considers CARANA’s Civil Society Outreach Program with the Paraguayan private sector to be a success. The four principle conferences each reached an estimated 300 key stakeholders in Asunción, stimulating a series of important civil society discussion on the role of free trade and opportunities for Paraguay. The last two events were a resounding success, leading to the creation of a forum on trade and logistics (that will tentatively include an observatory on the excess costs of cross-border trade imposed by regulation and corruption in customs) and to an agreement of technical assistance between the American Arbitrations Association and the local Center of Mediation and Arbitration (run by the Chamber of Commerce). Relevant Documents
Download this page in PDF format here.
C.11.11.2-1 Paraguay CSOP Agenda Roman 07-2005.pdf
C.11.11.2-2 Paraguay CSOP Presentation Roman.pdf
C.11.11.2-3 Paraguay CSOP Presentation Rosales.pdf
C.11.11.2-4 Paraguay CSOP Agenda Thomson and Sgut 08-2005.pdf
C.11.11.2-5 Paraguay CSOP Event Thomson and Sgut 08-2005.pdf
C.11.11.2-6 Paraguay CSOP Presentation Thomson.pdf
C.11.11.2-7 Paraguay CSOP Presentation Sgut.pdf
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Project Activities 
