The inauguration, on Tuesday, of the eighth edition of the Business Roundtable organized by the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries, was marked by the recognition of the work of former Minister Pablo Campana by public officials and representatives of the private company.
Campana resigned on Wednesday, June 19 for personal reasons, after having been in office for more than two years since May 2017. In his place, Yuri Parreño was appointed as the minister in charge, who had been acting as Deputy Minister of Production.
Roberto Intriago, Vice Minister of Promotion of Exports and Promotions, thanked Campana’s leadership of the Ministry and gave him a plaque on behalf of the State Portfolio. Then, representatives of the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), Daniel Legarda and Felipe Ribadeneira, chief executive and chairman, respectively, also presented a plaque of appreciation to the former minister, who thanked the gesture before an audience who applauded standing .
The event was also attended by the Vice President of the Republic, Otto sonnenholzner, who officially inaugurated it. The Macrorrueda will take place between Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 at the Hilton Colón hotel in Guayaquil, and more than 5,400 business appointments are planned, with the participation of 600 national exporters and more than 182 international buyers.
In terms of figures, Intriago indicated that in the Macrorrueda of 2018, sales were made in excess of $ 75 million, an increase of 26% compared to the previous year. This year’s event aims to achieve $ 300 million in sales estimates.
The Ministry informed that the buyers that will visit the country come from more than 37 countries endorsed by the network of 34 offices and commercial antennas of Pro Ecuador, of which the participation of Finland stands out, for the first time.
The Ministry’s Twitter account highlighted the arrival of the delegations of Russia, India, the United States and Mexico to participate in B2B (business to business) appointments.
There will also be delegations from Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Greece, United Kingdom, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Belgium. Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
Meanwhile, domestic companies will participate in the event representing 20 sectors of the Ecuadorian exportable offer, including banana and Orito baby, textiles, clothing, leather and footwear, tourism, metal, coffee, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, handicrafts, fishing, aquaculture, flowers, processed foods, automotive, non-traditional fruits, services, elaborated cocoa, plastics, personal and household care, jewelery, forestry and elaborate and toquilla straw hats.
The Macrorrueda will also include, for international buyers, field visits to various companies in Santa Elena, Manabí, Azuay, Guayas and Pichincha.
During the event, Pro Ecuador delivered acknowledgments to successful cases of export companies from various sectors such as innovation and services, popular and solidarity economy, markets and non-traditional products; among others. One of them was Gustavo Crespo, representative of Destilsursa, a company that managed to make its first export to Europe of its gin brand Gin Crespo, which received recognition in markets and non-traditional products.
“In just two years we have received eight international awards because we decided to bet on quality,” said Crespo, who said that two months ago they arrived with their product to Sweden.
Parallel to the Macrorrueda the event “Exquisite Ecuador” will take place.
