Ecuador getting in shape to export

Exporta País is a programme to ensure individualised technical assistance, carried out by PRO ECUADOR in partnership with the CBI of the Netherlands, an agency under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The programme is aimed primarily at SMEs in seven sectors, involved in the change of the productive matrix and the National Plan of Good Living. These sectors are coffee, cocoa, fisheries and aquaculture, flowers, processed foods and fresh fruits," says Rosa Nelly Castro, director of the Exporta País programme.

"For fresh fruit, we are mainly focused on pitahaya, physalis and papaya, as well as pineapple and mango, although we are not restrictive and any traditional and exotic fruits can take part," explains Rosa .

The programme, which seeks to improve and modernise the export services of Ecuadorian companies, is funded by PRO ECUADOR and is completely free for those taking part in it.

"We currently have 67 companies from the fisheries and aquaculture, flowers, cocoa and coffee sectors. In March, we will issue a second call to Ecuadorian fresh fruit and processed food companies," states Rosa, adding: "We attended Fruit Logistica because we wanted to find out what's new in fresh fruit globally to be able to apply any such innovations to our programme."

"We have an on-line tool for anyone interested in applying; this option is open to all exporting companies that meet certain minimum requirements. After going through a review process and being shortlisted, the CBI, together with PRO ECUADOR and local experts in the sector or product, visit the company's premises in order to identify all factors to be corrected for it to be able to reach its target market. The process ends with an action plan covering certifications, promotional events, labelling, training and everything needed for the company to get in shape to export," affirms Rosa.

Companies are classified in three modules, depending on how advanced they are. Those on the second one and below can have access to financial assistance or funding to cover the cost of international certifications and, in the case module 3, aid to attend promotional events.