Maria Antonieta Reyes, Secretary of Foreign Trade Policy, expressed her enthusiasm for the benefits that this agreement will bring to optimize time, logistics and handling of the product, to ensure it reaches its destination in an excellent condition. She stated that this would increase the international competitiveness of Ecuadorian bananas, which would lead to the development of the province of El Oro. "We started with bananas, so why shouldn't we continue with another fruit?" stressed the official.
Kristin Decas, executive director of the Port of Hueneme, said the sea and land connections allow Ecuadorian bananas to be sent everywhere. He noted that the Port of Hueneme is not congested, which gives it a competitive advantage.
Similarly, Wilmer Encalada, general manager of the Port Authority of Puerto Bolívar, coincided with the aim of expanding and diversifying trade: "The strength of this port are the bananas, but if we have the opportunity to have new agreements that will contribute to the development of our country; so be it," he exclaimed.
United States imports an annual average of 30 million boxes of bananas, with an estimated market value of $885 million dollars, through the Port of Hueneme. This agreement, managed by the PRO ECUADOR's Commercial Office in Los Angeles, provides a more direct approach that will provide exporters of Ecuadorian bananas, better facilities.
Source: Comercioexterior.gob.ec