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Iván Ontaneda: “There is an outstanding balance of $ 100 million for drawback”
Posted On 08 Sep 2017
Ecuadornews:
“Producers, exporters, and goods are not of right or left. The important thing is to establish an economy adaptable to the reality of the country. Regardless of ideological guidelines, pragmatism is needed, and the Productive and Tax Advisory Council is building that,” says the president of the Ecuadorian Exporters Federation.
Q: The drawback is one of the points analyzed in the Productive and Tax Consultative Council.
A: Yes, it is one of the tax measures that were analyzed by the 26 sectoral tables, in eight provinces of Ecuador.
Q: Explain the new drawback proposal.
A: Exporters are called to sustain and maintain dollarization. To do this, we must stimulate exports, the entire production chain. The drawback is used in many countries. Peru applies direct and efficient incentives for the export sector. I must emphasize that these incentives are not for exporters per se, but for the whole chain. The drawback ultimately benefits the primary producer, because he can be paid a better price, resulting thus, in better productivity.
Q: How much money will the drawback inject into the sector?
A: The non-oil sector exports 11.5 billion dollars a year, and if we talk about 4 to 5%, then there are 400-500 million dollars for the agrifood chain of the country because the exporter is only the final link.
Q: Is the Government able to pay an automatic drawback?
A: The government has a severe fiscal problem. I think there is a willingness to negotiate and there are options to finance this payment.
Q: But the drawback is not new. Until what date was it paid?
A: The drawback was paid until 2015, and there is an outstanding balance of 100 million dollars. The Government has been asked to honor this commitment. We have been patient in waiting two years. We are aware of the situation of the Government, but the export sector needs that money.
Q: You ask for a drawback for all exporters.
A: Yes, because in the past, the cocoa sector was left out, even though it was in crisis and still does not come out of it. (I)
Source: http://www.expreso.ec/