Infrastructure sector keeps up amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

By BKM | Berkemeyer

BNAmericas informed that the Ministry of Public Works of Paraguay increased its year-on-year investment by 65% during March to a record US$95 million in direct payments to help the infrastructure sector amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is important that areas that can keep working do so,” said minister Arnoldo Wiens at a press conference.

Among its main projects during the pandemic, the government is building two emergency hospitals: one at the National Institute of Respiratory and Environment Diseases headquarters, located in the capital city Asuncion, and the other at the National Itaugua Hospital in the nearby city of Itaugua.

Both hospitals are constructed with modular structures to facilitate building quickness, in a joint effort made by the Ministry of Public Works, Health, Communications Ministry and the Paraguayan Chamber of Construction.

In addition, among other measures taken as a result of the pandemic, it has been determined that public works are a priority and therefore must continue, so that the on-going projects have not been stopped in any case.

A significant boost to public works and PPPs is expected after the crisis as they generate dynamism directly (and indirectly) in the economy and Paraguay has a significant infrastructure déficit and needs to do the catch up with funds coming from private sector (PPPs and DBF projects) and also multilaterals and sovereign bonds for traditional public works.