firms for a client. With this in mind, we launched in August of 2003 our program Paraguay Vende, offering technical assistance to private firms to help them increase their sales in competitive markets and thus generate the job opportunities needed to reduce poverty.

During the first two years of the program, Paraguay Vende (www.paraguayvende.com.py) made possible almost $10 million in sales, over 70% of which are exports. These sales are equivalent to more than 1 million persons –days of employment. In addition, more than $1 million in new investments were facilitated by Paraguay Vende. The sectors with best results were production of sesame, pork meat, dairy products, wood moldings, herbs, among others.

An important portion of sales generated can be credited to our office in Ciudad del Este, where the creation of employment opportunities in legal and competitive economic activities offers and alternative to the informal re-export of products with little value added and low regional development impact. The program also has offices in Pedro Juan Caballero and Coronel Oviedo besides the main office in Asunción.