Ecuador towards an agreement with EFTA

Next October, Ecuador will begin negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Ecuadorian products such as bananas, tuna, shrimp and fresh roses could tap markets bloc.

EFTA consists of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland; states bordering a gross domestic product at market prices 1.012 trillion, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Ecuador.

The ratification of this joint declaration of cooperation, signed a year ago between the nations of EFTA and Ecuador, was held in Bern (Switzerland), country where the Minister of Foreign Trade (MCE, in Spanish), Juan Carlos Cassinelli is. He highlighted the high purchasing power of this market.

The owner of MCE met with President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Economy of Switzerland Johann Schneider-Ammann; he also held meetings with Müggler Roman, vice president of the Swiss firm Barry Callebaut and director of cocoa beans, Paul Arnds.

Barry Callebaut is the first world’s cocoa processing industry with offices in Ecuador.