Ecuador exported $ 48.8 million in aluminum parts in 2017
Ecuadornews:
At the meeting with the Vice President of the United States, Ecuador proposed to review the conditions for the export of aluminum. Correistas said that the benefit would be addressed.
In the middle of the application of protectionist measures promoted by the US president, Donald Trump, the Ecuadorian industrial sector is awaiting that these policies do not affect the country. Especially the increase in tariffs on imports of steel (25%) and aluminum (10%).
The industrialists indicated that a similar measure would affect the products made from these materials and that are exported to the US market. Through Twitter, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Pablo Campana, said that the increase in tariffs on aluminum in the US it would affect Ecuadorian companies and their workers.
He pointed out that the USA It is one of the main markets where Ecuador exports aluminum-based products, such as window profiling. The main destinations are Miami, Orlando and Coral Gables.
Campana’s announcement generated reactions in social networks, both on the side of the businessmen and the representatives of the previous government. Caterina Costa, president of the Chamber of Industries of Guayaquil, said that in the country there are important industries in this sector. “Although we do not produce the raw material, here in Ecuador value is added, finished products are made and that is exported”.
Costa said that we must work so that these rates are not applied to Ecuadorian production. “We have industries that generate many jobs and add value as profiles to make windows.” she added that everything possible must be done to maintain those export markets, “very important for the country in a dollarized economy.”
Likewise, Patricio Alarcón, president of the Ecuadorian Business Committee, said that it is not necessary to produce the raw material to be able to transform it and export it. “The important thing is to promote these industries.” If a tariff is placed on Ecuadorian products, they would be affected. “As long as there are less tariffs to export to certain markets, it is easier and more competitive for our products,” he said.
Among the exported aluminum products are profiles, tubes, cables, hygiene or toilet articles and aluminum waste. According to data from the Chamber of Industries of Guayaquil, the commercialization of these products is on the rise.
In 2014, $ 43.9 million were exported; in 2015, $ 44.8 million; in 2016, $ 35.6 million and in 2017, $ 48.8 million. So far this year, $ 18.4 million have been exported. The main destination of these products is the USA, which represents 36% of sales abroad. Colombia, China, Puerto Rico and Malaysia are other buyers.
Trump’s measures were adopted after the fall of the production of that metal. In 2000, the United States produced 112 million tons of steel, a figure that fell to 86.5 million in 2016. (I)
Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/economia/4/exportacion-piezas-aluminio-ecuador