There is no local production of security equipment. Since 1993, crimes including drug trafficking, kidnaping, rapes, car hijacking and theft have been increasing at an average annual rate of 40 percent. Increasing auto theft has also lead to greater need for special tracing devices. The above statistics are unofficial estimates. U.S. products are well regarded.
Principal competitors are Italy, Spain, China, Korea, Taiwan, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico.
Most promising subsectors are tubing, valves and meters. 9.6 15.3 21.0 E. Imports from the U.S. 5.2 7.0 9.0 5. Road construction equipment will offer U.S. firms excellent opportunities in the next four years. The Government of Ecuador will have to rebuild the Ecuadorian coastal road and highway systems as a result of the devastation brought by El Nino's heavy rains which also caused severe floods and land slides. Industry leaders estimate that it will cost USD 2 to 3 billion to reconstruct the Ecuadorian coastal road and highway systems.