Corredor Bioceánico de Capricornio

Activities

XI Working Group Meeting of Asunción – 2024

19 de November 2024

Event: XI Meeting of the Working Group of National Coordinators of the Bioceanic Corridor (CBV)

Location: Asunción, Paraguay

Date: November 19 and 20, 2024

Activity Objective

To evaluate progress and coordinate the necessary actions for the development of the Bioceanic Corridor, facilitating integration between Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, and strengthening cooperation on key issues such as infrastructure, logistics, trade, and border procedures.

Activity Description

The event was inaugurated by the National Coordinator of Paraguay, Minister Blas Felip, and featured the participation of high-level representatives from the involved countries. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, and Chile highlighted the importance of the initiative and the progress made in their respective countries.

During the meeting, technical presentations were given on topics related to the corridor by specialists such as Alejandra Radl from the IDB, Antonella Lafranconi from Procomex, Lucas Lagier from the International Road Transport Union, and Cícero Rodríguez de Melo and Elaine Radel from INFRA S.A. These presentations covered the “Regional Master Plan for Integration and Development of the Capricorn Bioceanic Corridor” and other relevant projects.

Working Groups and Main Advances

• Public Works, Logistics, and Transportation Group: Discussed the progress of infrastructure works, including those planned for 2026. Topics such as the integration of logistics systems, infrastructure management, and the installation of fiber optics and railways were also addressed.
• Production and Trade Group: Identified key productive sectors and agreed to coordinate with the public works group to analyze logistics costs. Proposed the creation of a Logistics, Production, and Trade Observatory.
• Simplification of Border Procedures Group: Presented a pilot plan to optimize border procedures and discussed the use of the coordinated border management model. Highlighted the need for non-intrusive controls and appropriate border service hours.
• Tourism Group: Decided to improve the design of the Bioceanic Corridor brand and convene quarterly meetings for national tourism promotion agencies.
• Universities Group: Worked on the incorporation of new members and the formalization of the Bioceanic Corridor University Network (UNIRILA).
• Security Group: Established the creation of Special Groups in each country to coordinate and exchange information and develop joint operations.

Conclusions and Next Steps

The delegations emphasized the importance of joint collaboration and committed to:

• Exchange lists of focal points for upcoming virtual meetings.
• Consult with the IDB on the creation of a CBV website.
• Follow the action plan of the IDB and PROCOMEX in 2025.
• Study and agree on an institutional governance project for the CBV for the next meeting.

The Executive Secretariat was transferred to Argentina until November 2025, when Brazil will take over. Argentina highlighted the expected completion of works in Paraguay within 24 months and the need to expedite the resolution of pending issues.

The delegations thanked Paraguay for organizing the meeting and expressed their support for the next meetings coordinated by Argentina.