WASHINGTON, USA – The XI Americas Competitiveness Forum was inaugurated Thursday, February 25, by the president of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno and the secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, at a virtual event will focus on priorities for a post-COVID recovery.
The president of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, noted that the effects of the pandemic have been dramatic for all countries and economies, and called for taking advantage of the Forum’s agenda to achieve economic recovery. “COVID has left us a great social wound. 255 million jobs have been lost in the world. This forum is an opportunity to adopt joint strategies and move forward,” said president Lenin.
OAS secretary-general Luis Almagro said that the new regional competitiveness agenda should include practical recommendations, focused on economic recovery and anchored in best practices, solidarity and regional cooperation.
“Public-private alliances, the digital transformation and the support of entrepreneurs are all part of the new agenda that we must promote to reactivate the economy in the post-COVID period,” said the OAS secretary-general.
The agenda of the Forum, in session today and tomorrow, Friday, February 26, includes:
• Digital Transformation, SME Competitiveness and Citizenship;
• Business Development based on Innovation and Empowerment of Entrepreneurs;
• Improving the Regulatory Environment, Trade Facilitation and Regional Value Chains; and
• Climate Change Adaptation and Post-COVID Recovery.
Ecuador’s minister of production, foreign trade, investment and fisheries, Iván Ontaneda, also participated in the inauguration.
The Forum brings together the 34 member states of the OAS with ministers and other top-level actors related to the competitiveness of government, the private sector, academia and international organizations.
The event is organized by the government of Ecuador, in its capacity as Pro Tempore Chair of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), and the OAS, in its capacity as Technical Secretariat of the RIAC.
