Attractive incentives for investors in agro, pharmaceutica, manother areas

By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik with Reporter Ms. Sua Kim

Commercial Counsellor Macelo Javier Pazos Hernandez at the Embassy of Ecuado in Seoul said, “Specific incentives could be added in prioritized sectors such as agro-industry, processed food, pharmaceuticals, metalwork, petrochemicals, tourism and new knowledge and technology research and development under certain conditions like establishing operation centers outside urban areas, for example.”
At a recent interview with The Korea Post media in Seoul, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language media outlets, Counsellor Razos Hernandez said, “We offer values of corporate social responsibility, inclusive business, gender equality, fair trade--embedded into each product we export.”

Minister Pablo Campana of Foreign Trade and Investment of Ecuador

Counsellor Razos hernandez, a global-minded economist with 17 years of experience and expertise in market analysis, trade negotiations and international commercial relations focusing on Asia and Latin America, added that besides primary commodities or value added products like high end, jewelry for instance, Ecuador offers, excellent digital translation, education, fin-tech, fashion and architecture design´ services that could be provided to Korean companies.”
Rozos Hernandez discussed a wide range of topics at the interview interesting to both Korea and Ecuador, which included Ecuador’s plan to invite Korean companies to invest in his country, attractive incentives given to the Korean investors in his country, and attractive tourist destinations where the Korean businessmen could have their ‘heated head’ cooled offer at attracgive tourism destinations. Details of the interview follow:

Ambassador Oscar Gustavo Herrera Gilbert of Ecuador in Seoul

Question: Does your country have any plan to invite Korean companies to invest in your country? Many Korean companies are seeking new investment destination countries following the unfavorable conditions increasing in some other countries.
Answer:
Yes. In fact, in the last five years the highest authorities of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Investment visited Korea in order to boost bilateral economic relations and enhance the knowledge of Ecuador as a safe and trustable host for Korean capitals and knowledge.
As a result, in 2018 Ecuador negotiates a trade and investment agreement to enhance and secure the existing business platform as well as projects with Korean equity that could be operated by its public and private firms.

Commercial Counsellor Marcelo Pazos of Ecuador at the Embassy of Ecuador in Seoul

Q: What are the specific areas where you might want Korean companies to invest? Please elaborate.
A:
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment through the Institute for Export and Investment Promotion (Pro Ecuador), has actively disclosed an investment portfolio with more than 50 investment projects in different areas encouraging Korean companies to invest in projects such as refinery construction, roads, airports, hydroelectric plants, recycling, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and others.

Q: Does your country offer any incentives to the good Korean companies wishing to invest in your country? Please specify such offers.
A:
Yes. The Code of Production Law provides with long-term stability as well as general and specific incentives to Korean companies willing to invest in Ecuador. General incentives, mainly tax exceptions, are given to all companies who invest in Ecuador.
Specific incentives could be added in prioritized sectors such as agro-industry, processed food, pharmaceuticals, metalwork, petrochemicals, tourism and new knowledge and technology research and development under certain conditions like establishing operation centers outside urban areas, for example .

Q: Does your country have any specific items to purchase from, or export to, Korea? Please elaborate because Korean companies now wish to drastically increase their interaction with such companies.
A:
Ecuador is well known for the her white shrimp, banana, cocoa and chocolate, hats, roses, super foods and tropical fruits. But we have much more.
Firstly, we offer values of corporate social responsibility, inclusive business, gender equality, fair trade--embedded into each product we export.
In second place, besides primary commodities or value added products like high end- jewelry for instance, Ecuador offers, among others, excellent digital translation, education, fin-tech, fashion and architecture design´ services that could be provided to Korean companies willing to enter Latin America´s region or incorporate trend-breaking ideas into Korea´s highly competitive market.

Q: What are the areas where your country wishes to increase cooperation with Korean companies?
A:
Ecuador has pursued to work with raw material importers, processed food factories, distributors and retailers in creating consumer´s consciousness of buying ethical products like Ecuadorian cocoa, for example, which is an example of industry where children do not work in the fields and communities benefit of inclusive business by producing a unique product based on its quality and values. Therefore, raise awareness of the importance of the origin and quality over price should be a common goal for both sides.

Q: Who is your government minister in charge of international trade and commerce with countries such as Korea? Please elaborate on the minister and provide us with a copy of his/her picture for publication.
A:
Our Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Mr. Pablo Campana, is a 44-year- old businessman, married and father of four children, who mastered in Business Administration with a wide professional experience in positions such as CEO of Campana & Partners Organization; CEO Pronobis S.A. in the Real Estate Management of the NOBIS Consortium; General Manager Duncan, Equilisa, Braslav, Pro Espacios; Executive President at Nobis Enterprises New York-Miami. In addition he has held important roles in Ecuadorian Bottling Company EBC (Coca Cola) and Valdez Sugar Company (cattle, bamboo cane, cocoa).
Mr. Campana has supported the development of the country and raised the initiative ProponLe for the construction of creative spaces and development of ideas from entrepreneurs, business representatives and public sector officials, in order to foster work in trust and synergy.
In addition to his trajectory in the private sector, he is remembered as an outstanding sportsman who marked an era in Ecuadorian tennis. In the 1990s he was a Davis Cup player, representing the country at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Q: Many Korean business people wish to have sufficient rest and recuperation. What are the tourist attractions in your country?
A:
Ecuador is one of the safest countries to visit in Latin America located in South America at the center of the world. Ecuadorian territory allows visitors to experience a diversity of climates, sceneries, cultures and kind people in four different regions that can be visited in a short period of time:
1) Beautiful cities with eternal spring weather surrounded by snowy volcanos along the Andes mountains.
2) Summer climate beaches and lively cities in the Pacific coast region.
3) Adventurous Amazon full of legends and bank of the most bio-diverse flora and fauna of the world.
4) Finally, Galapagos Islands: Charles Darwin´s inspiration and natural laboratory for his theory that every Korean can experience these days.

Q: Please introduce yourself fully as the prospective Korean business leaders might wish to meet with you in person.
A:
A global minded economist with 17 years of experience and expertise in market analysis, trade negotiations and international commercial relations focusing on Asia and Latin America.
Thanks to the network built as alumni of the Seoul National University, member of professional groups like Asian Access and head for the Strategy of Export and Investment Promotion of Ecuador in South Korea during six years, remarkable results have been achieved for both country´s development.
Along my career in Korea, I have been honored with the award of the Korean Importers Association to the best Commercial Counselor officially accredited in Korea in 2014 and, in 2015, I received the prize of the Federation of Exporters of Ecuador (FEDEXPOR) to the best management of country brand's promotion among 31 Commercial Offices around the world.

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