Pandemic accelerated electronic commerce in Paraguay, according to figures presented by Capace to the MIC authorities

Press release

By Ministry of Industry and Commerce

Ecommerce in Paraguay advanced by leaps and bounds in the pandemic, taking into account that many companies, businesses and services used digital media to offer their products, according to a recent study by the Paraguayan Chamber of Electronic Commerce ( CAPACE ), presented to the minister Luis Castiglioni, head of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce portfolio, during a meeting at the MIC headquarters. The survey revealed that half of the Paraguayan population opts for online purchases, and almost 70% have done so in the last 12 months.

These data were revealed at the meeting to introduce the MIC authorities of the "eCommerce Day Paraguay" and the "Online [Live] Experience 2021", the only and largest national ecommerce event, organized by the Paraguayan Chamber of Electronic Commerce (CAPACE) and the eCommerce Institute. It has the institutional support of the aforementioned public institution.

On the occasion, Gustavo Giménez, president of CAPACE, and his team of technicians, released details about the First Edition of the Hot Sale, and the statistics of a recent market study on eCommerce consumer habits. The eCommerce Day Paraguay will be held virtually and free of charge, from June 16 to 18, and the first edition of the Hot Sale that will take place from June 28 to 30.

Prior to the event, Minister Luis Alberto Castiglioni received the directors of CAPACE, to advance a programmatic agenda, with well-defined and measurable objectives in stages. The Vice Minister of Commerce and Services, Pedro Mancuello, and the General Director of Digital Signature and Electronic Commerce, Lucas Sotomayor participated in the meeting.

At the meeting, Minister Castiglioni pointed out that the institution under his charge is an ally of the chamber, so that it can achieve its objectives. The Secretary of State indicated at the meeting that electronic commerce was installed in our country and that it is of utmost importance for economic dynamics. "We are working on a bill, a regulation that will give a legal framework to digital services," said the minister, while noting that it will help all the actors and sectors of electronic commerce.

Likewise, he stressed that as an institution, the MIC aims to be a leader and be at the forefront in terms of the digitization of processes, and that is why it is coordinating actions with other state institutions to promote projects for electronic commerce, and thus be a management model. “We are allies of you, and we must build an agenda to have schedules, with indicators and measure objectives. This can help us to advance much faster, and thus we take very concrete and solid steps, in order to take advantage of the possibilities of eComerce. There are companies that have already made a significant quantitative leap in electronic commerce ”, highlighted Castiglioni.

ADVANCEMENT OF THE DIGITAL WORLD

In turn, the president of CAPACE, Gustavo Giménez, indicated that several companies, businesses and services decided to turn to the digital world, due to the pandemic. However, electronic commerce continues to be a challenge for the MSMEs sector, where their entry into the digital world should be enhanced to formalize them, access new markets and credits. “The entire digital ecosystem, through electronic commerce, will allow the country to develop. From the chamber we have been working and giving a space to the partners, through the days of offers so that they can sell their products in a more accessible way, and this generates that people begin to know and be more visible, electronic commerce ”, stressed.

Regarding the meeting with the minister of the MIC, the president of CAPACE, he highlighted the great challenge of the sector, because they presented electronic commerce as an activity that is clearly growing, with extremely interesting numbers. “We are confident that through joint management, which we will develop with the Ministry, it will allow more Paraguayan companies to access electronic commerce, projecting themselves to the local and international market. In this joint work we are going to try to generate and create the conditions for electronic commerce to continue to develop ”, he emphasized.

RECENT STUDY

Giménez and his team made known to Minister Luis Castiglioni and Vice Minister Pedro Mancuello, the numbers and percentages of the recent study on the sector. They highlighted that in 2019, online transactions for US $ 300 million were carried out in Paraguay, which was growing. Likewise, they pointed out that more than half of the Paraguayan population bets on online purchases, indicating that almost 70% have made an online purchase in the last 12 months.

They explained that since the pandemic, online shopping has consolidated as a shopping channel, since 75% made at least one purchase online in the last month, and that online shopping has become a frequent habit. The reasons why users opt for online purchases are mainly due to the fact that they can receive their purchases at home, quickly find what they are looking for, it is easy, simple to carry out, saves time, purchases at any time and goes for better discounts .

The study indicates that the challenge of ecommerce is to make the product tangible, generate greater trust in the seller's site and security in payment methods.

The most used online channels are websites (in a high percentage), social networks, Marketplace and generalists. Regarding social networks as an online shopping channel and space for interaction, Facebook is the strongest platform for purchases, followed by Instagram and Twitter. Foreign brands and stores lead purchases, and Paraguayan brands and stores are still behind.

ABOUT ECOMMERCE DAY

The eCommerce Day Paraguay has the mission of training and connecting professionals in the digital industry, share knowledge, success stories, good practices and promote initiatives that consolidate and promote the world of online business. Those interested in participating in the initiative may register at https://ecommerceday.com.py/2021/registro/

While the first edition of the Hot Sale is a space that will serve the most important online stores in the country, in order to connect with customers and offer special discounts for a period of 72 hours. For more information: secretaria@capace.org.py or 0981877316