MSMEs began to send product samples by ‘couriers’, with a 45% discount, through the Exportando program

Less than a month after the program launch, 100 companies have been integrated and 500 is expected at the end of the year

Healthy Foodproduces fruit pulp, jellies,toppingsand jams since 2007 and since 2018 with a new administration seeks to internationalize and reach Europe and especially to the United States, one of the main destinations of the exportable supply of Ecuador. Your business model isB2B, from company to company.

Antonella Mordasini, Chief of Sales of the companyHe indicated that for that they sent samples of their frozen product to a potential customer.

“We sent to Chicago, in the United States. Our client was very impressed by the agility of the shipment and the state in which the product arrived thanks to the company ofcourier. It is not easy for frozen samples to arrive, ”said the businesswoman, who explained that Healthy Food has a plant, in the province of Pichincha, with the capacity of more than 100 tons per month of production.

Healthy Food is one of the firms that are part of the newly created program exporting, which was born from a public-private alliance between the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries (MPCEIP) and the ECUADORIAN ASSOCIATION OF EXPRESS AND COURIER MESSAGING COMPANIES (ASEMEC), which took place last August 16 with the signing of an agreement.

"At the moment we focused on North America and Europe. In the future we would point to Asia," said Mordasini, who added that company personnel was trained, received key information and contacts that helped them send their samples.

Edith Villavicencio, President of ASEMEC,He indicated that exporting is in the initial stage, although so far he has been very well received by the MSMEs, organizations of the popular and supportive economy, entrepreneurs and artisans, who seek to export their products.

"We have a participation of more than500 Aspects, and we have received a request for quotes and advice, so it is in full functioning, waiting for exports to be realized based on the sales of our MSMEs come true, ”said the union leader, who said that seven companies fromcouriersAffiliates to ASEMEC participate in the program to facilitate exports of the MSMEs which will seek to reach220 marketsInternational.

These are:Servientrega Ecuador, Laarcourier Express, In Express Courier, Fedex, DHL Express Ecuador, Siati Express y Tramaco Express.

For its part, the Ministry indicated that to date they have been integrated into the program 100 companies And they expect the number to rise around 500 By the end of 2021. To achieve that objective, the State portfolio indicated that a process of dissemination and socialization at the national scale was initiated to disseminate its benefits and integrate the largest number of companies interested in exporting to the services offered by the program.

For example, in the case of Healthy Food, according to Mordasini, they received an invitation from Proecuador to participate in the program, which was indicated by the president of ASEMEC, will have a duration of one year counted from their subscription, and can be renewed by agreement between the parties. "Given the relevance of support for MSMEs we are sure that it will be renewed," Villavicencio said with optimism.

But what are the roles that Asemec and the MPCEIP contribute to exporting?

In the case of ASEMEC, Villavicencio indicated that the contribution is to encourage, train and support MSMEs, artisans, entrepreneurs and the popular and solidarity economy, to export their products in an agile, economical and simple way, reducing export costs with preferential fees, this is the45 % discount, in addition to sharing knowledge through training, advice and accompaniments.

Other benefits, according to Villavicencio, are the use of a network to identify business opportunities, it is a ASEMEC web portal in which entrepreneurs can register and quote their products for export, sending definitive samples or exports in the shortest possible time, a direct and preferential channel for consultations and operational support.

In addition, the door to door service, technological tools for tracking and shipping control, specialized advice, requirements of origin and destination; A joint training program with Proecuador and the MPCEIP, and national coverage.

"Companies registered and benefited from the program associated with foreign trade and international transport will be trained, through theoretical and practical workshops of national coverage, virtually and in person in different cities of Ecuador," added the president of ASEMEC.

The Ministry indicated that it acts as a driver and liaison with the export MSMEs and helps generate the necessary capabilities so that companies can articulate and include in the program. It also offers the different services that the Ministry has to help companies initiate their steps for export.

Companies interested in the program can enter the ASEMEC website, where the requirements to enter export are detailed. These are: have an active ruc or rise. Consider that the RISE enables only for exports without commercial purpose, not for formal exports.

Have Rum, Rua, RNE or export registration for Proecuador. In case of not having it, registering before the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries in the following link:http://servicios.produccion.gob.ec/rum/publico/categorizacion.jsf. In addition, they must have the documentation required to export according to the type of shipping (documents, packages and/or special merchandise).