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The national government confirmed that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will conduct an international audit of the bidding process for the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway , with the goal of ensuring transparency, fair competition, and operational efficiency in the future concession of this strategic waterway. The review will include both the bidding documents and the related administrative procedures. The announcement was made by presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni , who also stated that the process will be evaluated from a Competition Defense perspective , with the goal of avoiding privileges and promoting a fair competitive environment. This is the waterway that transports 80% of the countrys exports. Whoever operates it must have the capacity to manage it under the highest international standards and at the best possible cost, he stated. The provinces want a say in the new specifications In parallel, the governors of the riverine provinces —Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Misiones, Formosa, and Córdoba—are organizing a summit for May 28 in Resistencia, Chaco , convened by Governor Leandro Zdero. There, they will define a common position to demand their active participation in the design of the new bidding documents , arguing that the waterway is a central axis for regional economies . We want to be a part of it because the competitiveness of our ports and the access of our products to international trade are at stake, Zdero explained. The shared objective is for the new system to include federal administration or strong provincial involvement , in addition to ensuring ongoing maintenance, dredging, and signaling. Private sector complaints From the business sector, port associations, exporters and logistics operators also demand that the tender be open, transparent and accessible to top-level international companies , capable of guaranteeing the necessary depth and permanent service throughout the Navigable Trunk Waterway (VTN) . The Paraguay-Paraná Waterway represents the main artery of Argentine foreign trade , especially for the agricultural export sector. From the ports of Greater Rosario (Santa Fe province) alone, exports grew from 10 million tons in 1993 to 86 million in 2022 , demonstrating the magnitude of the challenge the state faces in relaunching its concession. Audit as a signal to the market The decision to convene UNCTAD seeks to send a clear signal to local and international economic stakeholders that the process will be overseen by a neutral and reputable body , which could increase confidence in the future bidding process. In turn, the Ministry of Economy and the National Agency of Ports and Navigation (ANPyN) have opened an Interdisciplinary Dialogue Roundtable to discuss the technical and legal guidelines for the new contract. |
