Ecuador

Ecuador has abundant mineral resources such as petroleum, and is also a producer of agricultural and fishery products, thanks to its variety and abundance of nature. Although Ecuador is described as a middle income country, economic development is limited to a narrow range of sectors such as petroleum production. Development lags in regional villages where many indigenous peoples live, and large income and regional disparity is an important development issue. Elements hindering development in Ecuador include problems such as inadequate energy (electric power), and vulnerability to earthquakes, volcanic explosions, tsunami, floods and other frequent natural disasters. JICA's support to Ecuador is primarily focused on (1) correcting disparities and (2) environmental conservation and disaster prevention.