Paraguay ranks first in the indicator of the percentage of companies with female ownership, with an incidence of 63.4%, compared to 47.4% for Latin America and the Caribbean, and 33.8% worldwide, according to a World Bank report.
The data was analysed by the Competitive Intelligence Directorate of the Vice-Ministry of the Network of Imports and Exports (Rediex), which highlights that among more than 1,000 indicators, the participation of women in the ownership of the companies (Firm Ownership Participation), and in the high management (Top Management), was measured.
In this regard, the impact of female participation in the ownership of enterprises is highlighted.
However, as for women in senior management positions, Paraguay’s position is 37th among 96 countries evaluated, a location shared with Armenia and Portugal.
In senior management positions, Paraguayan women have a 19.1 per cent share, compared with 20.3 per cent in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 18.7 per cent in the world.
While the first indicator covers the entire universe of companies, the second indicator was collected through surveys in about 100,000 companies in the world, covering the highest position of manager or CEO.
The differences between the two parameters can be interpreted through a high prominence of Paraguayan women in generalised companies, while, in the highest positions of larger companies, a male prevalence is presented, according to the analysis of Rediex.
The government of Paraguay is actively encouraging commercial investment and entrepreneurship, and has some very favourable terms, including the popular Maquila setup which reduces taxes to as low as 1%. It’s an excellent place for women to start businesses – let’s go girls!
