The Embassy of Ecuador in the Netherlands is proud to announce the appointment of Juan Carlos Yépez Franco as its new Head of Commercial - Pro Ecuador in advance of delivering several significant networking events focused on sustainable trade.
Juan Carlos Yépez Franco, new Head of Commercial - Pro Ecuador
International trade specialist Yépez has moved to The Hague from London, where he held the position of Head of the Commercial Section at the Embassy of Ecuador in the United Kingdom - Pro Ecuador. During his 10-year tenure in London, Yépez successfully expanded the UK market for Ecuadorian products and services by connecting thousands of suppliers with UK buyers of fresh fruits, flowers, cocoa, chocolate, coffee, processed foods, seafood, crafts, and textiles from Ecuador.
In his new role as Head of the Commercial Section at the Embassy of Ecuador in the Netherlands, Yépez will be responsible for export promotion, business matchmaking, international trade advisory, business intelligence, market research, supply chain, international transport, marketing, investment promotion, quality control, and marketing campaigns.
Yépez comments: “I am thrilled to start this new chapter in the Netherlands – a country that is renowned for being a sustainability and technology leader in Europe, not to mention the biggest logistics hub on the European continent. Focusing on sustainability and ethical practices, I will be identifying and developing Dutch import opportunities for Ecuadorian growers and suppliers of products, including fresh fruits, seafood, coffee, and cocoa. I’m also excited about searching for the best business practices in the Netherlands to share with Ecuadorian companies and to invite Dutch companies to invest in Ecuador.”
Pro Ecuador in the Netherlands operates as the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Ecuador in the Netherlands and forms part of Ecuador’s Vice-Ministry for Export and Investment Promotion.
Already, Yépez and his team have hit the ground running, planning numerous trade missions and business matchmaking events to maximize the sustainable and ethical trade and investment opportunities in Europe for Ecuadorian food and drink exports.
Sustainability Matchmaking Event
On 10 May 2023, the Embassy of Ecuador in the Netherlands and Pro Ecuador, together with Sistema B Ecuador, will host an exclusive networking event at the Chamber of Commerce, KVK, in Amsterdam. Some 25 selected sustainability leaders from Europe will have the unique opportunity to connect with 15 B Corp-certified companies from Ecuador in an informal setting.
Yépez explains: “We are eager to attract leaders from the B Corp network, as well as any think tanks, incubators, organizations, and NGOs who are involved with sustainability in Europe to meet and share ideas and experiences with our delegation from Ecuador. Furthermore, we are inviting any buyers who have an interest in sustainably-grown Ecuadorian produce to take part to strengthen their trading relationships.”
Each member of the delegation from Ecuador is tackling a variety of sustainability causes, including climate change, poverty through fair trade, a living wage, fair working conditions, and gender gap inequalities.
The participants include LatBio (organic banana exporter), Hoja Verde (roses supplier), Pacari (chocolate exporter), and a school for growers called Tierra Orgánica, among others from the food, flowers, health, financial, logistics, and environmental sectors.
This special event precedes the delegation’s participation at the B for Good Leaders Summit 2023 on 11-12 May in Amsterdam, which aims to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative economy.
Later this month, Pro Ecuador will host Ecuador’s largest and most important commercial event of the year, Business Matchmaking Ecuador 2023.
Taking place on 30-31 May at the Hilton Colon in Guayaquil, the 11th annual networking fair will convene over 350 of the most important Ecuadorian exporters across a variety of trade sectors, including fresh produce (fresh, fresh-cut, frozen, and processed fruits). Over 120 international buyers from more than 30 countries worldwide are anticipated to attend to do business.
Yépez comments: “We wish to invite buyers from the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and Australia who are interested in sourcing sustainably-grown products from Ecuador, especially bananas, plantain, baby bananas, exotic fruits, and flowers.”
Yépez continues: “Pro Ecuador is offering a travel or accommodation package, plus a tailor-made program for any buyers interested in traveling to the fair. If you want to meet new suppliers or source new products from Ecuador, this is the event for you!”
For more information:
Juan Carlos Yépez Franco
ProEcuador
Email: jcyepez@proecuador.nl