"It is a key moment to position Ecuador as an investment destination in the region."

The Nobis Consortium celebrates this July 16 24 years since its foundation in 1997. Isabel Noboa, its executive president, tells details of its growth and plans

On July 16, 1997, the Nobis Consortium was founded, a business group that began with Ingenio Valdez, Pronobis and the Mall del Sol shopping center and that over more than two decades have ventured into strategic areas such as diversification in the area of food, exports and hotels, and internationalizing with the area of ​​sweets and confectionery and as strategic partners of multinational port infrastructure and mining companies. Isabel Noboa, Executive President of the Consortium, recalls the main achievements in these 24 years of experience and also comments on where the Nobis projects are heading.

What have been the main milestones of the Nobis Consortium in these 24 years?

We started with the centenary company Valdez, Mall del Sol and Pronobis. In 2006, we acquired another centenary company, part of the country's chocolate tradition, the La Universal factory. Likewise, we have been developing other sustainable businesses that are friendly to the environment. Codana and Ecoelectric, which produce ethyl alcohol and clean energy with biomass from sugar cane, respectively. Following this line, the Pachakay Tourist Farm was born, with the potential to attract local and foreign tourists. Later, we ventured into international business with the integration of La Universal into the international company BIA,holdingmultilatina of foods that develops its activities in segments such as sweets and candies, culinary and coffee. At the same time, in Colombia we acquired the company Comestibles Integrales, which produces cookies.

Other important milestones were the participation in the port business with DP World Posorja and in mining exploration with the Canadian Adventus. In 2020, in the most difficult stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, we evolve intoholdinginvestment manager. Currently, we also participate in the agro-export sector with the company SocialDeal and Honey Fruit, exporting exotic fruits to international markets.

How has the Nobis Consortium's portfolio diversified from 1997 to the present?

We have diversified because we believe in a prosperous and productive country. That is why our portfolio has grown to the point of having our own companies operated in various industries, such as Azucarera Valdez, Codana, Ecoelectric, Mall del Sol, Pronobis, Comestibles Integrales SAS, SocialDeal, HoneyFruit, Hacienda San Rafael, Pachakay, Tecnobis, Innobis, Nobis Foundation and The Nobis Foundation.

In addition, we have strategic investments in local and multinational companies such as BIA (holdingfood owner of La Universal), DP World Posorja, Adventus, and Omni Hospital. Added to this is a strategic alliance with the Sixstar hotel group.

What is the income of the Nobis Consortium currently?

The companies in which Nobis invests and participates directly or indirectly generate annual revenues of more than $ 500 million.

Regarding the export of products and services, which markets does the Nobis Consortium reach and with which products?

Currently with our agro-export company SocialDeal we export exotic fruits such as yellow and red pitahaya, orito, granadilla, sweet cucumber, passion fruit, among others, to international markets that include the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Holland, Spain, Singapore, France, Hong Kong and Singapore.

What was the impact on the Nobis Consortium of the COVID-19 pandemic?

This pandemic prompted us to digital transformation and the adoption and development of tools that were just being deployed. With this, we have made an adjustment and redefinition of policies in the businesses that allowed us to reactivate in the shortest possible time. Our Mall del Sol shopping center launched its digital platform during the most difficult stage of the pandemic and was chosen by the City Council as a pilot plan for the reopening of shopping centers.

Two of the real estate projects of our company Pronobis were selected by the Emergency Operations Center as a pilot plan for reactivation in the construction area. We are supporting the State with the 9-100 plan for direct vaccination of the general public and through the vehicular pointexpress. Within direct vaccination to the public, we are promoting corporate vaccination for our collaborators, strategic partners and families.

The pandemic was an opportunity for us to be resilient and move forward, building a better business environment with more investments, sources of employment and local progress.

What projects is the Nobis Consortium preparing and in what areas?

We have currently launched an agro-export initiative for the planting, cultivation and export of products such as blueberries, organic ore and organic ginger, by structuring an investment trust to which we have invited several potential investors.

What is the expectation in advertisements to encourage public-private partnerships and concessions?

Public-private alliances make it possible to consolidate efforts and align expectations between the business community and the different State agencies. For some years we have been part of one of the main PPPs in the country, such as the operation of the deep-water port of Posorja. We are sure that the incentive in this type of alliance will make it possible to boost the economy in a more agile way.

What should a labor reform include?

It is important that any labor reform take into account the possibility of generating employment at all levels. It is necessary to reform the agreement of the permanent indefinite contract and promote the generalization of this type of contracts to all kinds of stable, occasional or temporary activities. What will allow to increase the places of employment.

Where should tax reform go to boost investments?

Tax incentives should be considered to attract foreign capital. It is a key moment to position Ecuador as an investment destination in the region and to achieve this we must create an efficient business, tax and legal environment. Competitive against neighboring countries.