Cuenca-Manta flights planned; U.S. agrees to drop some tariffs; Chinese company to boost offshore gas production; Noboa and Lula sign agreements

Local and national tourism officials say non-stop flights between Cuenca and Manta could begin by the end of the year. On Monday, airport and tourism directors in the two cities signed a letter of intent with the national Tourism Directorate to begin the authorization process for the flights.

According to Cuenca airport management, the flights would be operated by Aeroregional with a frequency of two or three times a week, depending on demand.

President Daniel Noboa and Brazilian President Lula da Silva met Monday in Brasilia.

Lorena Guillén, director of the Cuenca Tourism Foundation, says Cuenca-to-Manta air service is needed to serve growing tourist demand. “In addition to improving access for businesses and residents, the flights will provide the opportunity for tourists arriving by cruise ships at the port of Manta to connect with Cuenca, and vice versa,” she said.

U.S. agrees to drop some tariffs
Presidential spokeswoman Carolina Jaramillo said Monday that the U.S. has agreed to drop tariffs on some Ecuadorian imports from 15% to 0%. “United States trade officials have presented a list of products for which it will eliminate tariffs, and we are continuing discussions in hopes of expanding the list,” she said.

U.S. negotiators recognize the friendship between the two countries, Jaramillo said. “They understand that the additional 5% tariff due to a trade imbalance punishes Ecuador in relation to our neighbors Colombia and Peru, and they are willing to make a correction.”

Jaramillo said a complete list of tariff-free products would be released once negotiations are concluded.

Chinese company to expand gas production in Gulf of Guayaquil
The government announced Monday that it will sign a contract with the China National Petroleum Corporation to double natural gas production in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Currently, gas production at the offshore Amistad Field is approximately 20 million cubic meters per day.

According to President Daniel Noboa’s office, the increased production will provide fuel for new electricity generation plants as well as serve the domestic gas market. In a statement, the government said production would increase beginning in October, reaching a rate of 40 to 45 million cubic meters per day in May 2026.

Noboa and Lula sign agreements
President Daniel Noboa and Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva discussed foreign trade, job creation, climate change, security and business investments at a Monday meeting in Brasilia. In a press conference the two leaders agreed that the lack of reliability of trade arrangements with the U.S. requires Latin American countries to pursue new trade agreements and open new markets.

During the visit, two agreements were signed to promote academic, scientific and technological cooperation, based on the use of artificial intelligence, and to advance policies in favor of family farming focusing on a agroecological transition.

On Tuesday, Noboa met with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi in Montevideo.