“We are working on trade agreements with Korea, Japan and India”

Ecuadornews:

Foreign Trade Minister Pablo Campana said that the main challenge he faces is working in conjunction with the private sector. In addition, resources are sought to settle outstanding incentives with exporters. And mechanisms are analyzed to deduct the tax on foreign exchange outflows. Campana has plenty of experience in the private sector. He promised to comply with the State’s austerity policy promoting an efficient use of resources. He will seek to open new international markets by developing policies and projects that are measurable in the short and medium term. “We need immediate results,” he says.

-The approval of the agreements with Nicaragua and El Salvador is at the door, apart from these, what are the other priorities for trade agreements?

-We are interested in completing the process of signing trade agreements with El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Cuba. There is no small country or region when it comes to opening markets. At the same time, we are working with South Korea, India and Japan. I will meet with the Brazilian ambassador to address the issues we have with banana and shrimp exports. We have years of talks and the issue is not yet resolved.

-You reject free trade agreements (FTAs), what kind of agreements will you seek?

-The FTAs that have been signed by neighboring countries, for example, Colombia, have harmed the producers. Subsidized products come from the United States and this is detrimental for local industries and the employment rate. We, on the other hand, continue to have commercial, bilateral, multi-party agreements that encourage these alliances or strategic partnerships, but they give us a grace period to protect smaller and industrial producers. It would be irresponsible of me to encourage FTAs.

Source: http://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/economia/8/estamos-trabajando-en-acuerdos-comerciales-con-corea-japon-e-india