The Ecuador-UAE Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (CCEATI), founded and currently led by its President Agustín Ontaneda, has become a key platform for strengthening economic, commercial, and institutional ties between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates, supporting companies, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to expand their presence between both markets.
LatinGulf.ae had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Marianella Alvarado ,executive director of the chamber and Martina Ontaneda , Commercial and Administrative Coordinator . during Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, one of the world’s leading and most influential food and beverage trade exhibitions, bringing together global producers, exporters, buyers, and industry leaders to explore new business opportunities and international partnerships.
With more than ten years of professional experience in negotiation, acquisition, and promotion, Marianella has focused in recent years on international markets, particularly Asia and the Middle East. She has played an active role in planning strategies for international expansion across diverse industries, including technology, tourism, and food, among others.
Having visited the UAE—especially Dubai—on multiple occasions to represent the Chamber at major international exhibitions, Marianella brings a deep and practical understanding of the local market, as well as valuable insight into how Ecuadorian companies can successfully position themselves in the Gulf region.
Together, Marianella and Martina share the Chamber’s strategic vision, its role in facilitating bilateral trade and investment, and the initiatives currently underway to support Ecuadorian businesses entering the UAE market, while also encouraging Emirati interest in Ecuador.
Can you give us an introduction to the CCEATI?
The binational Chamber CCEATI – Ecuador-UAE Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism – was founded in 2018. Since then, we have been working on the development and promotion of trade, industry, tourism, and investment between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates.
As an institution, under the leadership of our President, Agustín Ontaneda, and guided by his vision, we strongly believe in the commercial opportunities that both countries can develop together. Naturally, as a nation, Ecuador greatly values what the United Arab Emirates has achieved in terms of development.
As an institution, under the leadership of our President, Agustín Ontaneda, and guided by his vision, we strongly believe in the commercial opportunities that both countries can develop together.
We firmly believe that Ecuador’s participation here, within the framework of Gulfood 2026, can represent a true win-win opportunity for both countries. The UAE is a highly strategic partner for Ecuador, and we trust and believe in the vision this country has. Ecuador is eager to learn and to become part of the development that the Emirates are currently experiencing.
How do you see this Gulfood 2026 edition compared to the previous ones you have participated in?
Speaking on behalf of Ecuador and the Chamber (CCEATI), since its early beginnings, our mission has been to connect private companies with the UAE market. Unfortunately, in the past, Ecuador did not have a diplomatic presence here, and I believe that CCEATI, as I mentioned before, under Agustín’s leadership, has experienced significant and steady growth over the past few years.
In the first Gulfood editions we participated in, we had a much smaller and more limited space. Today, we have grown considerably, but this would not have been possible without the trust of private sector entrepreneurs who had the vision to look toward the UAE and take part in this exhibition.
As a Chamber, we believed in this destination long before, and it has been a gradual process—what I would call “step-by-step work.” It may have been slow, but trust in the market is the key. That is why today we are here at Gulfood 2026.
As a Chamber, we believe in Ecuador’s potential as a country, and of course, in the companies behind this initiative as well.
That is why this year we decided to invest in a much larger space, because visibility at such a major global exhibition is extremely important. However, I believe we still have a long way to go, and this participation leaves us with the strong feeling that there is still a great market to connect and many opportunities ahead.
What can you tell us about the companies that came with the chamber to gulfood 2026? What categories of products or services are we talking about?
As everyone knows, Ecuador is globally recognized for its bananas. On this occasion, we do not have companies from that category, but we do have a product that is breaking records worldwide, which is canned tuna.
This year, we have two companies from that industry. One of them is Envasur S.A., which is in fact a major success story. We also have Tecopesca, both operating within the seafood sector.
Ecuador offers outstanding quality in these products, and that is why these companies have decided to join us here at Gulfood.
For the first time, we are also joined by Toni Lácteos, a leading Ecuadorian company in the dairy products sector. It is a company with a long and strong track record, and they are looking to open new markets in this destination. The truth is that their participation has been very successful. They are one of the first Ecuadorian companies making such a strong industrial commitment to entering this market. They have invested significantly and truly believe in the potential of the UAE market, which is why they are here today.
We also have Pronaca, for example, a company known for meat and poultry products, but they also offer vegan products such as hearts of palm. This is an innovative product line, and they are developing new derivatives from this vegetable. In fact, Ecuador is one of the world’s largest exporters—if not the largest—of this product.
We are also joined by Gala Export, which offers a variety of processed and derived food products.
Another participant is Grupo Naniecheandia, which brings different products as well, but their strongest segment is fruits from Ecuador. These fruits are highly demanded in this market due to the excellent quality they offer.
Additionally, for the first time in this market, we have Alimentos Snob, a company specialized in canned and preserved foods. Snob is a well-established brand with a long history in Ecuador—many of us grew up with this brand. They offer products such as sauces and jams.
Finally, we also have SG Consulting, and we are very proud to work with them, as they have also placed their trust in the food sector, supporting it from the financial and consulting side.
We continue our exclusive interview with Martina Ontaneda, who joins the conversation to share her insights and first impressions of Gulfood 2026 and the opportunities Ecuadorian companies are discovering in the UAE market. Martina Ontaneda,is an Ecuadorian professional with a background in International Relations from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). Since her early university years, she has shown a strong commitment to strengthening ties between Ecuador and the Arab world, beginning her professional journey at the Ecuador-UAE Chamber of Commerce (CCEATI), where she became actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting institutional and business cooperation between both markets.
As part of the CCEATI delegation at Gulfood 2026, Martina played an active role in supporting Ecuadorian companies and strengthening the Chamber’s presence at one of the world’s most influential food and beverage trade exhibitions in Dubai.
Martina, from your point of view, what were your first impressions during this first visit?
Honestly, it has been an extremely enriching experience. I work directly alongside Marianella, our Executive Director, and I have learned a great deal from her about how one must navigate and operate here in the UAE. As Marianella often says, this is a destination we have truly committed to and invested in.
As you mentioned, this is my first time, and I am very happy to see how companies are recognizing the opportunities that exist here. We encourage Ecuadorian companies to continue joining Gulfood in the coming years.
The companies that have come to Gulfood 2026 are looking to grow and expand their business in the UAE. It is a long-term investment, because participating in the exhibition is important, but it is not only about showcasing products here—it requires continuity, returning year after year, and maintaining close connections with potential buyers.
That is exactly where the Chamber plays a key role in supporting them. By becoming a member of the Chamber, companies receive guidance and support both before and during the exhibition. This is something very important to highlight.
Some of the companies joining us this year have heard strong references about our work, while others are already members. But in all cases, this kind of support is essential, because companies need to know they can trust the Chamber and rely on the follow-up they require in order to establish themselves in the UAE or begin doing business here.
Marianela, what projects do you have on the agenda for the UAE this year?
Fortunately, I believe it is important to mention that beyond what CCEATI as an institution has accomplished over the past years, it is extremely important for us that the Ecuadorian government is now focusing its attention on the United Arab Emirates.
A lot of work has been done long before, but having that governmental support and vision always gives you an additional hand—it is a fundamental pillar. We are very pleased that the government now believes in this market as we do, and that is fantastic, because it gives us a strong boost.
The UAE is still a relatively new market for Ecuador, and people are beginning to trust and believe in this destination. That motivates us even more to believe in it and to develop additional projects as a Chamber.
We have identified that one of the key pillars to successfully commercialize products here is to have a real presence in the market. As Martina mentioned, we have always believed that physical presence is an investment—both the physical presence of the exporter, but also the physical presence of the products themselves.
That is why, this year, the Chamber has decided to inaugurate its own warehouse, linked to the Chamber of Commerce, so that the Chamber’s members can benefit directly from this facility.
What does this mean? If tomorrow a company wants to sell—not an entire pallet, but perhaps half a pallet—it will be able to do so directly, without depending on large volumes that buyers often require. For example, a company can ship a pallet and store it in the Chamber’s warehouse.
Then, if a client wants to buy 20 boxes of coffee, the company can sell them immediately. In the UAE, this is a process—it requires believing that you can succeed, and starting step by step.With this warehouse, there will be a major dynamic created between the different players—between sellers and buyers—and it will generate significant movement and opportunity.
As we have always said, Ecuador also needs to educate the UAE market about what we truly offer. Many people believe Ecuador is only about bananas, but there is much more value-added production beyond that.
Could you share a timeline of when this service will be available, and whether it is only for members?
We have been working on this project for quite some time. It has taken us a little longer than expected, but I can tell you that it should be available in approximately three months.
It will be fully set up and properly regulated, and we will have a dedicated person who will support us with inventory management and related operations. This is an important benefit we have developed in order to complete the full cycle. Because it is not only about finding a buyer—you also need a logistics service, you need financial support, and you need all the necessary elements to close the cycle and be able to reach this destination directly.
Obviously, as Martina mentioned, our members are always our priority. The UAE Chamber of Commerce exists and works for its members, and our greatest satisfaction is to see our members succeed. From the beginning, we always explain that this is not something that happens overnight—it is a process. The UAE is a market built on a culture of trust.
Regarding the service you mentioned, Chamber members will of course have preferential rates. However, in the UAE, absolutely nothing is free, and warehouse costs—such as handling fees, for example—must be charged as part of the service, regardless of membership.
That being said, this is not a service exclusively limited to members. All Ecuadorian companies are welcome to access it. However, there will be an additional investment required to be part of the program.
We truly believe the warehouse initiative is key. We have already experienced this firsthand with many entrepreneurs, and we are convinced this is the right path. It will allow companies to enter the market gradually, and I am confident it will work very well, because it is a way to introduce Ecuador’s name into smaller segments of the market—beyond bananas.
What events is the Chamber planning to participate in this year?
Honestly, we want to take part in many events. We are currently planning to participate again in one of the exhibitions we have already attended, which is the Organic & Natural Products Expo. It is definitely a smaller fair, but fortunately we have always had very positive results there.
In fact, last year CCEATI received an award for Best Stand in November 2025, and of course, this year we will be participating once again.
We are always aiming to improve, bringing more companies from the sector of organic, natural, sustainable products, and related industries, since the UAE market strongly aligns with those expectations and demands. That is one of our key event priorities.
However, here in the United Arab Emirates, we also want to develop specific events together with strategic partners to further promote Ecuadorian gastronomy. For example, organizing a smaller, more private event focused on highlighting that Ecuador can showcase its coffee to the world, among other products. As part of this, we are currently looking for partners who can join us and support the development of these brands.
Ultimately, we want to further promote our members’ products, and that must take place here in Dubai, with real products physically present in the UAE market.
Martina, did what you saw at Gulfood meet your expectations?
Yes, absolutely. Honestly, as I mentioned before, it has been an experience that has contributed a lot to me both personally and professionally. Seeing the enthusiasm of the companies and being able to support them on this journey to expand into another market—one with a very different culture—has been truly valuable.
I really enjoyed it because it is clear that people here can recognize the added value in our products and the high quality they offer. I feel proud to be part of Ecuador, and I believe that is what I take most from Gulfood.
I am also very excited because I know that next year we will most likely do something even bigger, with more companies joining us. Once again, I invite Ecuadorian businesses to continue becoming part of this event, as CCEATI has been steadily establishing its presence here.
Thank you, Marianella and Martina, for this conversation. And to close, would you like to share a few final words, Marianella?
On a personal note, I can only say that I feel extremely proud of Martina, and I also feel very proud of Agustín, because he is the leader behind all of this. He has encouraged us to believe in this destination. Agustín is a very visionary person, and he has shared that vision with all of us who are part of his team.
When I arrived on Monday, I started recording and I almost had tears in my eyes, because I have lived through this entire development process, and to see where we are today is truly emotional.
Of course, other companies have done it as well, but I am speaking from my perspective as Executive Director. I have personally witnessed the growth Ecuador has achieved in the United Arab Emirates through CCEATI, and I feel genuinely proud.
I am proud that our country gives us the tools and the confidence to believe in what Ecuador has to offer. If Ecuador did not have everything it has, I would not be sitting here today encouraging others to trust in our potential.
When I saw the Gulfood stand, I felt incredibly proud—proud of Ecuador, proud of our products, proud of our people, proud of the companies, and proud of the team we have. Because everything begins with believing in what you have, in order to be able to reach a market like this. I felt truly happy, and that is what I take with me.
I know Ecuador has so much to offer. It is not an easy path—it takes time. But what I would like to say to conclude is that entrepreneurs must believe, wholeheartedly. Of course, always with the guidance of CCEATI, which is an institution that can support companies throughout their internationalization process, from start to finish.
And now, With the recent visit of Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador, to finalize the CEPA negotiations, Ecuador is entering a new phase of expanded opportunities. The market is gaining momentum, investor confidence is strengthening, and the overall outlook is increasingly favorable for the country. This is a golden opportunity, and we are fully committed to seizing it.
The most important message is: believe in this market. It is a market of expansion, a wonderful market with many opportunities. With teamwork, vision, and proper planning, companies can successfully establish themselves here.
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