It is not clear what will happen Pro Ecuador

Ecuadornews:

Within the set of public entities that the Government seeks to eliminate, merge or liquidate in its process of optimization of the State is the Institute for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (Pro Ecuador).

In one of the presentations on the new economic measures that the government authorities made last week, it is noted that Pro Ecuador is abolished and its functions will be transferred to the merged Ministry of Foreign Trade and Production.

According to the website of Pro Ecuador, currently the entity is part of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment and is responsible for implementing the policies and rules of export promotion and investment in the country to promote the supply of products and markets of Ecuador in the world.

Currently, Pro Ecuador has a network of 31 commercial offices in 26 countries around the world.

EXPRESO looked for answers both in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Pro Ecuador and until yesterday morning there was still no certainty of what the future of the entity will be.

Yesterday, Roberto Intriago, director of Pro Ecuador, said yesterday during a tour of the new distribution center of Almacenes Tía, in Lomas de Sargentillo, he said that now it seeks to “strengthen” the entity “at zero cost.”

This reinforcement, said Intriago, will include continuing to work as Pro Ecuador and not “enclosing” only commercial missions. “

Iván Ontaneda, president of the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), maintains that he has not heard about the closure of the entity and believes that it will be upgraded. “It would be disastrous for the export sector,” he says.

Ontaneda said they agree with the reduction in the size of the State because of the excessive public spending they generate.

Next week, the head of Fedexpor said, they will travel together with the Minister of Foreign Trade, Pablo Campana to Japan, to promote the exportable supply of the country. In the delegation, according to Ontaneda, a representative of Pro Ecuador will also be present.

During the management of Campana, it has sought to sign more commercial agreements and open new markets for Ecuadorian products. It has also sought to strengthen trade relations with the United States and approach the Pacific Alliance.

Another of the fronts that has been entrusted to the holder of Foreign Trade has been to promote a portfolio of projects to attract foreign investment.

Pablo Campana, Minister / Commerce and Investment

“Commercial offices will follow”

How is the topic of investments going to be a reality?

I just came from Taura visiting the Santa Priscila group, which is going to invest 30 million dollars and have more projects. I am knowing the investment of TIA; from here I go to the National Brewery, which will do an export. Then there is a reactivation and companies are investing, trusting in the country.

After the merger of the ministries, will there be any change with Pro Ecuador?

No, Pro Ecuador remains. It is attached to the Ministry of Commerce before and now would be to the Ministry of Production, Trade and Investment. There will not be a change, because it does a great job with 32 offices in the world, to open markets and support exporters. We want to strengthen it.

If Mipro becomes part of the Ministry of Commerce, will you continue the work?

The change is positive to seek efficiency. Minister Eva García did a magnificent job at Mipro. We will continue the work to strengthen where required, every administration is perfectible. The idea is to give a quicker response. (I)

Source: https://www.expreso.ec/economia/proecuador-comercioexterior-exporataciones-empresapublica-YY2346818