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Investing In Ecuador
Natalia Bayona,
Executive Director, UN Tourism
Economic Outlook
Ecuador has a strategic geographical position, advanced infrastructure, outstanding natural diversity, and a dynamic and growing population.Likewise, it is worth highlighting the solidity of the Ecuadorian economy and its growing diversification, as well as the significant progress in reducing poverty and inequality. In the tourism context, progress was observed in the post-pandemic recovery, with a 70% increase in international tourism receipts in 2022 compared to the previous year. Regarding the creation of new employment, it represented around 6.6% of the national total in 2022.
FDI Performance
The publication addresses the investment landscape in Ecuador, highlighting a 22% increase in the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022 compared to the previous year, driven mainly by capital expansions and utility reinvestments. This reveals confidence in the country and its future prospects.
Regarding investments in tourism, these are also growing. Between 2018 and 2022, the country was among the top ten countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in greenfield FDI announcements in tourism, and according to the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), investment contracts were signed for around USD 639.6 million in the case of tourist services.
Value Proposition
The third chapter explains why Ecuador is an attractive option for tourism investment, including its macroeconomic stability, consolidated legal framework, the wide diversity of the tourist offer, and its clear focus on the development of the sector in accordance with environmental preservation. It also offers a summary of corporate taxes and specific benefits for tourism investments in the country.
Green Investments Outlook
When it comes to green and sustainable investments in Ecuador, its strategies and commitments towards sustainability stand out, including the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change and the investment and climate adaptation programs implemented in the country. In addition to this, the report also analyses green finance in Latin America and the Caribbean, thematic bonds, and it describes sustainable financial mechanisms applied to tourism.
The guide also details the world's largest debt-for-nature swap operation, carried out in Ecuador.