Now that privatization
of the energy sector is no longer being considered
as official government policy, what is the
next step?
We are undertaking modernization programs
which were never initiated by the previous
government. The current government is therefore
completing the modernization of the public
sector and public utilities - and the electric
sector is one of them. We are tendering
concessions of various hydroelectric projects
in Ecuador because this country has a huge
hydro potential waiting to be tapped. We
are willing to receive strategic investors
in the electric sector in the form of management
contracts, and we are also willing to establish
strategic partnerships in the growing telecom
sector.
Do you believe that Telecsa is an example
of what the country can do to establish
new public companies with foreign capital?
Definitely, Telecsa is part of an effort
to establish a third mobile phone operator,
yet the present situation is such that the
government does not have the resources to
invest in a new mobile telecom infrastructure
on its own, so we are actively searching
for a partner that will make the necessary
investments together with Andinatel and
Pacifictel. Presently there are only two
mobile operators in Ecuador: Bellsouth and
Porta, each of which has already invested
approximately $500 Million. Therefore, it
goes without saying that we will seek to
invest a similar or greater amount to build
a third mobile network.
Do you feel that the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) is putting too much pressure
on the new government to liberalize and
deregulate the electricity and telecom sectors?
No. In fact, we are working with the IMF
as partners - they are helping us to develop
new strategies in order to solve various
issues and problems which can help us improve
our economic growth.
What are some of the major projects
which you are developing in order to support
Ecuador's dollarized economy?
The first mega-project that we are developing
is the "Ruta de Integración
Nacional"; a high speed freeway between
the cities of Quito and Guayaquil which
will connect these two major cities in only
three hours. The project will be allocated
through a concessionary bid, using the same
concessions model as the Quito Airport project.
In fact, we already have some international
companies interested in building and managing
this important project which will improve
transportation and promote the unity of
the country by joining the two most important
cities of Ecuador.
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We are also developing a new project called
"Ecuadorian Paradise" that promises
to promote the construction of hotel infrastructure
along the beautiful coast of Esmeraldas,
which includes 12 kilometers of undeveloped
beaches. The project will offer concessions
of land to international hotel chains and
a generous tax scheme to encourage construction
development.
However, one of the major barriers to
foreign investment is continued corruption
and pressure from labor unions. So what
is the strategy of President Gutiérrez
to reform and increase the attractiveness
of state companies like Pacifictel and PetroEcuador?
Our strategy is to make the public sector
much more efficient, and on this issue President
Gutiérrez is working hand-in-hand
with the IMF to modernize public companies.
We are inviting the private sector to establish
joint ventures and jointly manage the reforms
of these companies.
For example, we are proposing the establishment
of a management contract for Pacifictel
in order to encourage reforms, efficiency
and transparency. We are also working towards
a joint investment scheme between PetroEcuador
and various foreign companies in order to
establish new guidelines and reduce bureaucracy.
How do you combine your private business
experience with the positions that you are
presently holding in the new government?
Pinturas Condor is a family business of
which I was General Manager, yet at the
present time my brother-in-law has taken
the reins of the company and is now manager.
Thanks to my experience as manager I believe
that I have gained a great deal of experience
in the private sector.
I am proud to be working for my country.
I am using my experience in the private
sector to improve the public sector, thereby
supporting the reforms and the vision of
President Gutiérrez to improve our
country.
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