Ecuador seeks options while it negotiates the GSP

For international consultant Nancy Cely Icaza, the process is pitifully slow compared to our neighboring countries. “The situation is a bit sad, Colombia and Peru already signed the TLC (Free Trade Agreement) and we still depend on the GSP – like 132 nations – and on the products that are free for the whole world.” Cely points out that Ecuador has to change its Foreign Trade structure to enter an international competition.

Foreign Trade Minister Pablo Campana also noted that a dollarized country like Ecuador has to expand its range of market clients, which is why the government seeks agreements with other nations. “A tour will begin in five days to apply for trade agreements with China, the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Russia, Japan, and Korea.” The purpose, emphasizes Campana, is to dynamize the economy. “How are we going to make it? Along with the public and the private sector, attracting local and foreign investment; That’s why we seek this international scope.” (I)