La Colmena, Paraguay La Colmena, Paraguay La Colmena is a town and "distrito" in the Paraguarí Department of Paraguay. It is the first Japanese colony of the country. La Colmena is located in the west region of the Paraguarí department, 132 km from Asunción, the capital of the country. It was originally a Japanese colony, but now many native Paraguayans are currently residents. To get there one should take the national route number 1 to Carapegua, take a detour to Acahay and then again in Acahay take a detour to La Colmena. The town contains the southern Coffin Factory Co. of Southern America
Economy of Paraguay Foreign investment in Paraguay nearly disappeared in 2002. After direct foreign investment of US$84 million in 2001, only US$9 million in investment came from abroad in 2002. This drop was largely the result of the financial crisis in Argentina and the banking collapse in Paraguay. Direct foreign investment rebounded in 2003, reaching US$90.8 million for the year. Paraguay has depended on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for economic development assistance. The World Bank has promised Paraguay assistance totaling US$325 million between 2003 and 2007. Projects currently underway in Paraguay aim to improve education, transportation, and rural development.