Photo: X account of the Ministry of Production of Ecuador.
Ecuadorian authorities and representatives of the General Administration of Customs of China signed on Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding on food export and import cooperation.
The agreement seeks to establish a framework to ensure food safety in products imported and exported between both countries. It is also expected to facilitate communication and improve the speed of response by the authorities, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. The document also highlights Ecuador's agricultural potential to supply Chinese consumers.
This memorandum was signed in the context of the Ecuador-China Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect on May 1. The signing also coincided with the visit of Zhao Zenglian, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), to Ecuador.
Danilo Palacios, Ecuador's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, was the honorary witness at the signing ceremony. During the event, Palacios emphasized that the implementation of this agreement will ensure that consumers in both China and Ecuador receive safe and high quality products.
Ecuador's Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries, the Agency of Regulation and Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Control and the National Agency of Regulation, Control, Surveillance and Sanitary Supervision of Ecuador participated in the signing of the memorandum.
During the meeting, it was reported that negotiations on the inspection protocol, quarantine and sanitary requirements for Ecuadorian dairy products destined for China had concluded. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to formalize the protocol in the next six months, which will allow progress in enabling the export of these products.
The Chinese delegation also included in its agenda visits to Ecuadorian export sectors with high potential, such as dairy products, shrimp and blueberries, which are in great demand in the Chinese market.
It is worth noting that China is the main destination for Ecuador's non-oil exports, with a sustained growth of 17% in the last five years.
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