Topic 20: Commerce in Ecuador

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Due to the lack of sources of employment or fixed jobs, many people have opted for
small street sales as the only means to earn a living or to supplement family income.

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. TRADE IN THE ECONOMY

The commercial activity is very important

because it is complementary to the

production. The products must be

transferred to the market in order to be

sold and acquired by the consumer.

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Large business

The impact of the presence of

large commercial companies not

only affects the small business but

also the consumer, who gets used

to it, to a consumption of

international characteristics,

typical of a gigantic consumer

society of global dimensions. It

threatens the existence of the

forms or types of consumption of

traditional society

CONCENTRATION OF TRADE

Trade is concentrated, above all, in the provinces of Pichincha and Guayas, because

there are the largest economic activity and the largest cities in Ecuador: Quito and

Guayaquil. In the two provinces is the 77% of the total commercial establishments.

In wholesale trade, the two most important activities are the sale of household goods

and food, beverages and tobacco.

EXPANSION OF SUPERMARKETS

An important example of what is happening in the retail trade, and that combines the

sale of appliances with food and other consumer goods, is the great expansion of

supermarkets and shopping centers in large cities and medium-sized cities across

the country

FOREIGN TRADE

Export trade to the external market has been fundamental for the development of

the national economy. Currently, oil exports are the most important. The foreign

trade of bananas, shrimps, cocoa, flowers and tropical fruits is remarkable.

Progressively, the country is diversifying its exports to other regions and countries

of the world, especially the neighboring and Latin American countries.