The Republic of Paraguay officially recognised the independence of the Republic of Latvia on 1 April 1992. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on 3 June 1992. On 6 September 2005, Ms Lilianne Lebron-Wenger was accredited as the first Paraguayan Ambassador to Latvia, with residence in Berlin, Germany.

There are presently no agreements signed between Latvia and Paraguay. Paraguay has introduced a visa-free regime for Latvian citizens entering and staying in Paraguay, provided the term of stay in the country does not exceed 90 days within any 6-month period.

Following accession to the European Union, Latvia also participates in the EU-Paraguayan dialogue.

Economic co-operation

Trade

(according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia)

January – December 2006

• Export

1. Lithuania –  626,740,647 EUR or 14.11 % of total export from Latvia

2. Estonia– 538,234,608 EUR or 12.12 %

3. Germany – 447,816,470 EUR or 10.07 %

4. Russia – 415,342,445 EUR or 9.37 %

5. United Kingdom – 352,497,937 EUR or 7.93 %

...

117. Paraguay – 100,011 EUR or 0.00 %

•  Import

1. Germany – 1,278,230,457 EUR or 15.02 % of total import to Latvia

2. Lithuania – 1,090,232,705 EUR or 12.81 %

3. Russia – 710,081,879 EUR or 8.32 %

4. Estonia – 642,801,715 EUR or 7.56 %

5. Poland – 596,234,160 EUR or 7.01 %

...

127. Paraguay – 1,609 EUR or 0.00 %

In 2006, Latvia had a positive trade balance with Paraguay: 8,392 EUR.

Main export goods to Paraguay by type of goods (2006)

Type of goods	thous. EUR	Share of total exports
Total	100.0	100%
Food products - Strong alcoholic drinks – 100%	10.57	10.56 %
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment - Radiotelephone or radiotelegraph communications equipment, radio or television transmitters- 99%	89.45	89.44 %

Main import goods to Paraguay by type of goods (2006)

Type of goods	thous.EUR	Share of total  imports
Total	1.609	100 %
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment	1.609	100 %

Investment

According to the statistical data of the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia as of 1 August 2007, there were neither any Paraguayan investments nor Paraguayan-Latvian joint ventures listed.

Contacts:

Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in Berlin

Address: Hardenbergstrasse 12, 10623 Berlin, Germany

Telephone: (49-30) 3199-8612

Fax:     (49-30) 3199-8617

E-mail: embapyde@t-online.de

Brief information on Paraguay