Paraguay plans public projects

Paraguay is planning to launch a series of project tenders during 2014. The country's public works and communications ministry (MOPC) intends to invest some US$700 million in 19 infrastructure road tenders during 2014, according to Business News Americas. Two tenders for the construction and rehabilitation of Asunción's eastern access road and the Cruce Guaraní-Pindoty Porá route in Canindeyú department have already been launched. These are due to be awarded shortly. In the first quarter of 2014, MOPC aims to tender an additional nine projects, including expanding and improving route 3 and the construction of 28 bridges. The second quarter of 2014, meanwhile, will see an additional six tenders, including improving route 13 and paving works throughout the country. The remaining two projects - the rehabilitation of roads in Paraguarí, Guairá and Misiones departments as well as the construction of an overpass in Asunción - will be tendered within the second half of the year. The $700 million investment programme represents a major step for Paraguay. The financing for the projects is set to come from sovereign bonds as well as a $222 million loan from Latin American Development Bank CAF and a $200 millionn loan from the IDB.