'Aromas Del Ecuador' to provide Coffee & Chocolate trading platform for UAE Companies

Event bringing together businessmen from 18 countries worldwide, generates 420 meetings, expects prospective business to reach USD 14.5 Million

Dubai, 8 September 2014: Capitalising on the continuous growth of the coffee and chocolate industry in the UAE, PRO ECUADOR - the Trade and Investment promotion organisation of Ecuador, organized its fourth consecutive 'Aromas del Ecuador', a business matchmaking forum held on 4th and 5th of September in the Ecuadorian capital Quito.

"Our main role as the Trade and Investment promotion organisation of Ecuador is to promote our country's rich and high quality products to the companies worldwide. And 'Aromas del Ecuador' is the perfect platform for UAE companies to explore greater opportunities with the Ecuadorian companies specialising in coffee and chocolate," said Hussam Hassan, Head of the Ecuadorian Commercial Office in Dubai.

One of the best performing economies in Latin America, Ecuadorian exports to the UAE amounted to USD5.3million in 2013. The relative increase in the volume of exports of Ecuador to the UAE has grown by 8% in 2013. In addition, Ecuador's total coffee exports was valued at AED799 million (USD219 million) in 2013, with UAE coffee imports from the country increasing by 55 percent from AED525,600 (USD144,000) in 2012 to AED967,250 (USD265,000) in 2013.

Bedayaat restaurants, a newly established company in the UAE, participated in the matchmaking event with an objective to import the finest coffee from Ecuador.

Working closely with PRO ECUADOR, Bedayaat restaurants' participation at the event opened opportunities with local Ecuadorian companies. "We will continue to support Bedayaat restaurants and other UAE Companies to reach the right Ecuadorian companies to meet its demands" added Hussam.

According to Abdo Bejjani, Chief Executive Office for Bedayaat restaurants "During the exhibition, we were introduced to key Ecuadorian companies that are known for their finest coffee along with site visits to coffee farms. I was impressed by the organization of this event and the efficiency of PRO ECUADOR team, our key objective is to import high-end coffee that we can serve in the whole MENA region."

This year's edition of Aromas Del Ecuador brought together national producers and exporters from the country including importers from Canada, USA, Mexico, Chile, Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Turkey, China, South Korea, Japan and United Arab Emirates.

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About PRO ECUADOR:
PRO ECUADOR is the Trade and Investment promotion organisation of Ecuador, operates under the umbrella of the Ecuadorian Ministry of International Trade. It is responsible for the business development of domestic exporters as well as the implementation of policies and rules to promote exports and investments into the country. PRO ECUADOR aims to foster strategic bilateral trade and penetrate existing and emerging markets across the world.

PRO ECUADOR has seven regional offices responsible for supporting Ecuadorian producers and exporters. It also has 33 International commercial offices, in key markets including the UAE, to promote the export supply of goods and services of Ecuadorian companies abroad.

PRO ECUADOR aims to open new markets for Ecuadorian products, identifying market opportunities, buyers, entry market requirements, and participation in trade promotion events such as fairs, trade missions and business conferences.

For media requests and enquiries:
Rose Manaog;
Action UAE;
rose.m@actionprgroup.com;
+971 55 9010301

For other requests:
Hussam Hassan;
PRO ECUADOR;
haboa@proecuador.gob.ec;
+971 55 7279900