Santiago Peña has led Paraguay since August 2023 with an agenda defined by economic transformation. In this interview, Peña sets out his vision for Paraguay's resurgence and the opportunity it creates for German partners.
José Brítez Infante, the first Paraguayan to lead Banco Itaú Paraguay, is positioning the bank as the regional partner for investors arriving in the country.
Eduardo Felippo, President of the Superior Council of Universidad Paraguayo Alemana (UPA) and Paraguay’s former Minister of Science, founded what remains the only German university operating outside Germany.
Since becoming CEO of Paracel in 2023, Flavio Deganutti has been developing Paraguay’s first pulp mill and an industrial hub linked to its forestry operations.
Since taking office in February 2026, Marco Riquelme has been advancing Paraguay’s industrialisation agenda, with a focus on attracting foreign investment, developing higher-value manufacturing and connecting Paraguayan businesses to international markets.
Minister of Economy and Finance Óscar Lovera is focused on strengthening Paraguay’s economy through investment, renewable energy and access to international markets.
Claudia Centurión, the first woman to lead Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Works and Communications, is driving the country’s efforts to strengthen regional connectivity, develop logistics corridors and expand public infrastructure.
William Wilka, President of Petróleos Paraguayos (Petropar), leads Paraguay’s state-owned fuel company as it expands its market presence and prepares for changing energy demand.
Jorge Raúl Talavera, President of Grupo Azeta, leads a group of 20 companies across telecommunications, retail, agribusiness, real estate and financial services that has doubled in size over the past three years in revenue, EBITDA and net profit.
Conor McEnroy, President of Sudameris Bank, sees Paraguay as a market for patient capital, built on deep agricultural roots and clean, amortised hydroelectric energy at $9.
Lucio Tortosa, CEO of South Atlantic Company, leads the Spanish-owned seafood group’s $45-million reprocessing plant in Hohenau, the first investment of its kind in Paraguay.
Sebastián Benítez Bittar leads, alongside his father, a company of around 3,500 people that Forbes Top Development recognised for having reached more than 255,000 square metres of completed projects.
This report was published in partnership with Die Welt
