Pedro Álava MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

THE MEASURES taken by the Lasso government to increase Ecuador’s role as an agro-export power are successful in keeping with the policy of “More of Ecuador in the world and more of the world in Ecuador.” Through this policy, available Ecuadorian agricultural products are varied and meet high-quality international standards. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is leading the priority program Strategic Production and Diversification of Agricultural Chains. This program seeks to diversify the agricultural exportable selection of non-traditional products such as avocado, pitahaya, and hemp, among others and strengthen the country’s traditional products such as coffee, cacao, and bananas. By implementing an intelligent agricultural information system, which any person, investor, or producer, can use, it will contribute to GDP growth. Ecuador has significant comparative advantage compared to other countries in the region, among which is its privileged geographical location. Its agricultural products and livestock are of a higher quality than average. The strong confidence of the international markets in the excellent management of the Ecuadorian economy is indisputable, as the Country Risk Index went from 17.33% in 2016 to 7.99% in 2022, an approximately 54% reduction in a period of less than one year of Lasso’s government. To this must be added the excellent business environment in Ecuador, afforded by political stability and strong legal security. All these factors attract investors.