The Development Bank participated in the 68th Ordinary Meeting of the Common Market Council (CMC) in Paraguay, which brought together officials from member and associate states, representatives of regional and international organizations, and key figures in the integration process.

The meeting came at a pivotal moment for the bloc, marked by the need to move toward a more modern, competitive form of integration that delivers concrete results for citizens. In that context, FONPLATA’s Executive President, Luciana Botafogo, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting MERCOSUR in pursuing a common agenda that requires cooperation, planning, and timely financing—elements that can translate into actions with tangible impact.

Botafogo noted that integration is part of FONPLATA’s founding mandate and that the Bank’s commitment has deepened in recent years through various cooperation mechanisms with MERCOSUR. Since 2020, as trustee of the MERCOSUR Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM), the Bank has managed these resources in a prudent, transparent, and efficient manner, preserving capital and ensuring the necessary liquidity for the bloc’s projects.

Building on the Technical and Financial Complementation Agreements signed in 2024, FONPLATA has taken an additional step to support countries in preparing and structuring strategic initiatives related to the integration process. Through non-reimbursable funds, the Bank helps generate knowledge, strengthen institutional capacity, and create conditions for future investments.

The results of this cooperation are already visible across the region. In Brazil, the funds have supported progress in pre-investment studies and institutional strengthening for FOCEM-financed projects and have backed the CIDEJA Consortium—the driving force behind the Transcampesina Route (a rural feeder road). In Uruguay, FONPLATA is supporting the pre‑investment phase of the Northern Regional Technology Park, an initiative with the potential to spur innovation and productive development in the border region.

Botafogo also highlighted that innovative financial instruments tailored to member countries’ needs are under development as part of an international reform agenda to improve competitiveness and regional coordination. These include a mechanism to support institutional and public-policy reforms that strengthen regional integration policies, and a guarantee program for Argentina designed to enhance the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), mobilize long-term investment, and promote productive development and employment. In addition, the Bank will support Bolivia on two key infrastructure projects: the rehabilitation of its core road network and strengthening of groundwater collection systems for mechanized irrigation and resilient agricultural production.

The Summit also underscored the importance of expanding MERCOSUR’s external agenda in light of new trade opportunities and the challenge of ensuring those benefits reach businesses, subnational governments, and territories. In this context, FONPLATA expressed its interest in supporting implementation of the MERCOSUR–European Union Agreement through financing aimed at competitiveness, productive modernization, and trade infrastructure.

FONPLATA’s participation in the Summit reaffirms its role as a strategic MERCOSUR partner focused on promoting deeper, more sustainable, and more inclusive regional integration. With its technical expertise, innovative financial instruments, and regional presence, the Bank will continue working with member countries to translate regional integration into strategic investments and tangible results for citizens/2026.

07/01/2026