Ecuador seeks agreements with US, Mexico and Latin America

Quito (AP) – Ecuador is looking to sign trade agreements with the United States and Latin America as part of an economic reactivation policy proposed by President Guillermo Lasso in power less than a month ago.

The foreign trade minister, Julio José Prado, told the Ecuavisa television network on Friday that “a roadmap for a trade deal is open to Ecuador to express and convey to businessmen and the government”. Has been sent. Doing business with your main commercial partner”.

Ecuador recorded exports of $2,680 million to that country and imports of $2,823 million in 2020.

Regarding Mexico, Prado explained that it is yet to call off some technical rounds, which could end by the end of the year in view of a commercial agreement.

“We are making rapid progress, we are also making good progress, sensitively on the Ecuadorian side and understanding the opportunities on the export side, not just commercial, because Mexico is the main individual investor in Ecuador.”

He expressed that there are opportunities to attract Mexican companies and investments “that help reactivate the economy and create jobs in Ecuador, which is also what we want.” Ecuador exported $108 million and imported $674 million last year.

Mexico is a priority for diplomacy and foreign trade in this country, not only because of the importance of a final trade agreement, but because it is a quick way towards Ecuador’s unification of the Pacific Alliance, for political, economic and cooperation. a platform. and the integration formed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru which has been in operation since 2012.

Prado said that the new foreign trade policy of the Lasso government “looks for the greatest amount of opportunities for Ecuadorian production … we have to go to Latin America and other countries of the world.”

Lasso, a former right-wing banker, took office on May 24 for a four-year term.