Autor: Redação

Hagihara Industries Yguazú SRL announced the achievement of European CE certification for two of its products: BarChip R50 and BarChip 48, polymer fibers used in road and mining infrastructure projects. This recognition makes the company the first in its sector in Paraguay to achieve this certification.

The certification was granted by the international organization Applus, through the Declaration of Performance (DoP) and the Certificate of Evidence of Performance, in accordance with the European Union’s Construction Products Regulation. This allows products manufactured in Paraguay to meet the technical standards required in markets such as Chile, Peru, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union.

The certified products, BarChip R50 and BarChip 48, are high-performance synthetic fibers blended with concrete to reinforce it internally. These fibers improve the durability, crack resistance, and structural performance of concrete in projects such as tunnels, bridges, pavements, and structures subjected to intense loads.

During the meeting with officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), Javier Viveros, Deputy Minister of Rediex, stated: “The sector is experiencing rapid growth, and this will serve to improve construction efficiency, especially for new roads and structures that are so necessary in our country. With this certification, Hagihara achieves a very important milestone for Paraguay.”

For his part, Vice Minister of Commerce Rodrigo Maluff emphasized: “Thanks to the joint work between Rediex and the Vice Ministry of Commerce, we have promoted the opening of seven new markets that are already receiving fiber made in Paraguay. This confirms that products produced in our country can reach the world.”

Hagihara Industries began operations in Paraguay two years ago, as a result of an investment attraction process led by Rediex. Since then, the company has consolidated its presence in the country, generating employment, technology transfer, and commercial expansion. It currently exports to seven international markets: Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil.

As part of its tour of Paraguay, the Hagihara Industries delegation, led by Mr. Yoshiaki Hagihara, is scheduled to meet with the Japanese ambassador in Asunción. The goal is to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and explore new opportunities for collaboration in the industrial sector.

This Friday, September 26, the Agronorte Cooperative will celebrate two highly significant events: its tenth anniversary and the inauguration of Paraguay’s first chili processing plant, located in the Guayaibí district, San Pedro department.

The event will be attended by producers, local authorities and representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and Rediex, consolidating a historic moment for the national agribusiness.

The initiative arose from the business mission organized by Rediex and SENAVE in 2024, which facilitated a visit by the Ecuadorian company UCHU Spice to the Agronorte plant. This meeting launched the chili pepper production project, which is currently underway with 25 hectares cultivated by 50 members of the cooperative, with a projected expansion of 55 hectares by the end of the year. The production will be processed and exported as chili paste to the US market in the next two months.

As part of this progress, a meeting was held at Rediex headquarters with Rolando Chávez Genes, General Manager of Agronorte, accompanied by Belén González, Director of Investment Attraction; Aramí Arza, Head of Post-Investment Services; José Luis Laneri, Senior Export Specialist; and Gustavo Rodríguez, Food and Beverage Sector Specialist. MIC technicians also participated, providing advice on available incentive programs, such as Maquila and 60/90, and guiding the Cooperative through the RIEL (Online Industrial Registry) registration process.

During the meeting, Mr. Chávez highlighted the economic impact of the new crop: “While crops like sesame and chia generate between 2 and 3 million PYG per hectare, chili peppers can generate between 50 and 80 million PYG. This is a huge opportunity for our producers.”

Agronorte currently has 810 members and works with two indigenous communities. Its main crops are sesame, peanuts, beans, and chia. The addition of chili peppers represents a strategic commitment to productive diversification, increased profitability, and the opening of new markets.

The MIC and Rediex reiterated their commitment to supporting Agronorte in its export processes and future investment projects, reaffirming the role of the State as a facilitator of productive development and the internationalization of Paraguayan companies.

The inauguration of this plant not only represents a technological and commercial breakthrough, but also a model of public-private partnership that promotes the inclusion of indigenous communities, the strengthening of cooperatives, and the diversification of the country’s agricultural export market.

Under the slogan “More unstoppable than ever,” the Young Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP Joven) officially launched the 11th edition of the “Paraguayan Like You” campaign, an initiative that seeks to strengthen the consumption of domestic products and highlight the efforts of Paraguayan industry. The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), Javier Viveros, Deputy Minister of Rediex, and Marco Riquelme, Deputy Minister of Industry.

The campaign, which will run from September 25 to October 25, was presented by the president of the UIP Joven, Eng. Francisco Martino, who emphasized that “today, national production is proudly displayed for what it is: synonymous with quality, effort, and belonging.” This edition incorporates a renewed visual identity that will be present on shelves and in strategic sales spaces, making it easier to identify participating products. During the event, the president of the Paraguayan Chamber of Supermarkets (CAPASU) emphasized that “almost 80% of what is consumed in supermarkets is of national origin,” reflecting the sector’s commitment to the local industry.

Vice Minister Marco Riquelme, one of the campaign’s founders, recalled the beginnings of “Paraguayo como Vos” as a response to the context of a strong presence of imported and smuggled products: “We wanted to show that what you’re buying can be Paraguayan. It was to give our industries the opportunity to raise the flag and proudly say: we are a national industry.” Riquelme emphasized that the campaign not only has an economic impact but also strengthens self-esteem, sovereignty, and a sense of belonging: “Things are made in Paraguay, there’s technology, and we’re at the top of the world in food, household appliances, and other areas. Today we sell not only in Paraguay, but also in Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and other countries.”

For his part, Vice Minister Javier Viveros, also a founder of the campaign, highlighted Rediex’s role in promoting Paraguayan industry internationally: “When we travel abroad, we look for our products in supermarkets. Today, the same thing happens in Paraguay: people go to the aisles to see what’s made in the country. We must be the main promoters of our products. This campaign is a fundamental platform for the growth and positioning of our country brand as an industrial nation.”

Engineer Eduardo Felippo, a member of the UIP board who has supported this initiative from the beginning, also shared his vision: “What we seek is for every person who buys a Paraguayan product to feel the pride of choosing ours. This country, which sometimes seemed forgotten, is demonstrating its strength, capacity, and products that can compete with any other country in the world. The campaign is not just a one-time action; it is a sustained demonstration that Paraguayan industry is what will carry us forward. From the young person who takes the bus to the elderly who are already retired, we all depend on it to some extent.”

The “Paraguayan Like You” campaign will expand this year to new economic sectors, including textiles, construction, and domestic gas stations. In addition to point-of-sale activations, special promotions, audiovisual content, and strategic alliances are planned to increase the visibility of domestic products.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reaffirms its commitment to initiatives that promote industrial development, competitiveness, and Paraguay’s positioning in international markets. The “Paraguayan Like You” campaign is an example of public-private partnership that strengthens the national productive fabric and celebrates Paraguayan talent.