Minister Ng meets with Sonsoles García, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries

February 1, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met virtually with Sonsoles García, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries.

As this was their first bilateral meeting, Minister Ng congratulated Minister García on her Cabinet appointment and expressed Canada’s commitment to expanding the rapidly growing trade relationship between Canada and Ecuador.

Noting Ecuador’s ongoing security crisis, Minister Ng assured her counterpart of Canada’s full support for Ecuador’s efforts to protect its citizens, safeguard human rights, and fight against organized crime.

The ministers discussed the possible launch of formal negotiations in the coming months on an ambitious, high-standard free trade agreement between Canada and Ecuador. Minister Ng expressed gratitude for Minister García’s invitation to visit Ecuador, and conveyed her interest in meeting again.

Minister Ng also relayed her support for Minister García’s leadership on issues such as strengthening Ecuador’s commercial environment, and on shared interests, including support for small and medium-sized businesses and job creation. Minister Ng also highlighted Canada’s continued interest, as Ecuador’s largest foreign investor, in collaboration in responsible mining and critical minerals, a key area of Canadian investment and avenue for growth.

Related products

• Minister Ng meets with Julio José Prado, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries (June 19, 2023)
• Minister Ng launches public consultations on trade negotiations with Ecuador (January 6, 2023)
• Joint statement on the launch of exploratory discussions toward a potential Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (November 24, 2022)
• Minister Ng launches exploratory talks toward free trade agreement between Canada and Ecuador (November 24, 2022)

Associated links

• Canada-Ecuador relations
• Doing business in Ecuador