I'll give the example of the mining sector. If we invest in a very small sector, we export the minerals and generate profits. Very little remains in the area. To make investments profitable, the processing must take place locally. However, I don't think that recent mining investments are headed in this direction.
There's also a reaction to some of these investments. For investment to lead to development, it must enable the country to move up the value chain. Today, I have been listening to the comments made by the other witnesses. I'm impressed by the efficiency of their companies and producers. I wonder whether Ecuador's farmers can survive their efficiency. I think that complementary agreements are needed to ensure that Ecuadorians can protect the economic sectors where they want to prioritize farmer production.
Ecuadorian producers aren't asking to protect food security, as other witnesses suggest. Instead, they want to strive for food sovereignty, meaning the ability to decide what to produce locally. As part of this type of measure, a free trade agreement could limit this food sovereignty.