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ICTSI Ecuador terminal to help boost supply chain

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Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA), the Ecuadorian unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), has moved beyond just its core operations of moving goods through the port, and has also taken the lead in uniting stakeholders throughout the supply chain of Ecuador’s key commodities exporters.

The creation of the Logistics Community of the Port of Guayaquil (Comunidad Logística del Puerto de Guayaquil) is aimed at improving the competitiveness of Ecuador businesses in foreign trade and boosting the overall regional supply chain.

The first port logistics community in Ecuador and the entire region, CLPG serves as a platform for businesses with connections to the Port of Guayaquil in bringing research-based, technical solutions to optimize logistics capabilities within the supply chain.

“As the leading maritime gateway of Ecuador, we are working hard towards the creation of a community that is representative of the needs and interests of the port community. This collaborative, innovative and pioneering framework in the region will allow us to improve and optimize the supply chain and processes of importers and exporters operating in the Port of Guayaquil," said CGSA ceo José Antonio Contreras.

With greater logistics collaboration, businesses will be able to maximize the commercial potential of Ecuador’s top commodities, while reducing costs at the same time.

“The creation of the Logistics Community of the Port of Guayaquil creates a unique vehicle to maximize opportunities for growth,” Contreras aded.

The members of the logistics community, companies and business organization, represent more than 83% of Ecuador's non-oil exports. The most important commodity by volume is bananas, which represent 63% of the non-oil exports of the country.

Those supporting the needs of Ecuador’s top exports, bananas, shrimps, paper and wood products, are already members of the logistics community:  Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE), Agzulasa, Reybanpac, Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscilla, Ecuadorian Association of Teak and Tropical Wood (ASOTECA), Multiteak, Papelera Nacional SA, Soprisa, and Procarsa.

Banco Guayaquil and RSA Insurance, the largest financial service networks in Ecuador, are also part of this new initiative.

Julio Mackliff, vp of Banco Guayaquil, lauded the impact of the new logistics community towards improving the competitiveness of Ecuador businesses:  “CLPG is an emblematic and innovative project in Ecuador.  Banco de Guayaquil is not only supporting this initiative but is and will continue to be an active member. We are convinced about the positive results that this union of big companies will contribute for the economic and social development of our country.”

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Eduardo Ledesma, executive director of AEBE added that the collaboration between and among different supply chain stakeholders ensures that the country stays on top as the world’s largest banana exporter: “The opening and approach of Contecon Guayaquil to the export sectors of Ecuador has been seen and is perceived with optimism. We, the banana exporters, see with good eyes that this initiative will allow us to reach competitive improvements for the sectors.”

Contecon Guayaquil, ICTSI’s largest port project in Latin America, recently made strides towards greater trade facilitation, supporting the local economy through various investments in port infrastructure and technology.