Banana cluster explained four axes to President Guillermo Lasso to strengthen the sector

The meeting was held last Friday and also concluded in the creation of a unified command group from the Presidency for prevention against Fusarium.

Ecuador's banana cluster presented four axes during the meeting it held with President Guillermo Lasso last Friday.

The union considered the need to implement the unified simplified return of taxes (drawback) equitably for export sectors.

"Hedrawback, recognized in article 157 of the Organic Code of Production, Commerce and Investment, must be implemented to reduce the impact on the competitiveness of the local industry due to the increases in cardboard and plastic costs, as well as the reduction of shipping space and increased freight costs,” the statement says.

They also discussed the threat ofFusarium oxysporumtropical race 4 and contamination of containers with narcotics. On this last point, the union proposed working on a comprehensive security program that guarantees the future of musaceae exports.

The fourth axis proposed was to make trade agreements with the Eurasian zone with Russia and East Asia with China, Korea and Japan. “They are essential given the growth potential of the musaceae sector in these markets. Currently, the absence of these agreements makes local exports uncompetitive compared to those of other producing countries that do have these treaties,” says the banana cluster.

The meeting took place in Guayaquil and representatives of the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE), the Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), the Regional Corporation of Banana Growers of Ecuador (Agroban), among others, participated.

President Guillermo Lasso said that the union counts on the Presidency to develop inter-ministerial prevention work against theFusariumR4T.

“Having exporters and producers together in a single group is a very important step and we are taking some measures to control drug trafficking due to the negative impact this has on exports,” he said.

According to the banana cluster, they represent around 60% of production, 100% of Ecuador's banana exports and 80% of banana exports. And they generate more than 250,000 jobs.