International Living conference in Quito draws record crowd; organizers cite the growing trend of overseas retirement

February 18, 2010 12:25 by Admin
A depressed global economy, rising health care costs, increased taxes, and lower quality of life are just a few of the reasons for a record-setting registration for the InternationalLiving.com Ultimate Event V in Quito, Ecuador, February 24-27. This year, more than 360 people interested in m... [More]

ECUADOR BUSINESS DIGEST
Ecuador’s exports to Andean nations total less than $2 billion in 2009

February 7, 2010 03:26 by Admin
Ecuador’s exports to Andean countries totaled $1.93 billion between January and November of last year, down 36% from $3.03 billion in the same period of 2008, the central bank said Friday. Ecuadorian imports from the Andean countries totaled $2.7 billion in the same period, down 38% fr... [More]

China’s export of labor faces scorn: the country often insists on using its own workers if Chinese money finances projects on foreign soil

December 22, 2009 09:03 by Admin
Editor’s note: Growth in the number of Chinese nationals in Ecuador has been a concern of the Ecuadorian government since the late 1990s. In 2007, an immigration office official in Quito was arrested for selling residency documents to dozens of Chinese workers. More recently, the number of C... [More]

Popular support for President Correa declines; experts blame a bad economy, a confrontational style and unrealistic expectations

November 19, 2009 01:40 by Admin
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa is finding that a weak economy, electricity shortages and a confrontational governing style have undermined support for his government, just three years after taking office in a landslide that highlighted the rise of populist leaders in Latin America. ... [More]

Retirees turn to Latin America for a lower cost of living and inexpensive real estate; Ecuador is one of the top choices

October 23, 2009 01:57 by Admin
Many a traveler has wondered, as they found a city they liked, “What would it be like to live here?” Many people who spend their days working remotely anyway start thinking, “Why don’t I just work from here and cut my expenses by half?” In most of Latin America,... [More]

Low prices are attracting travelers to Latin America; Ecuador's are among the lowest and make it a rising star in the tourist trade

October 22, 2009 05:55 by Admin
Latin America has long enticed budget-oriented travelers with its low prices, and as the global economic crisis lingers, the bargains are increasingly tempting — especially when it comes to a luxury vacation. Meals are often half the cost of their European counterparts, hotels are gene... [More]

Although he bills himself as a socialist, President Correa is too conservative for protesting indigenous and teacher groups

September 28, 2009 02:44 by Admin
Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa is facing the worst spate of social unrest of his second term, with indigenous leaders planning protests beginning Sunday against water privatization. Opposition forces have reacted angrily to what they claim are moves by the government to privatize the coun... [More]

LIVING ABROAD
You'll never know if the expat life is right for you unless you try it

September 27, 2009 01:34 by Admin
This is the third of a three-part series about the experience of living abroad. The author, Kathleen Peddicord, was publisher of International Living for more than 20 years and is currently publisher of Life and Invest Overseas, a web and publishing service for propective expats and foreign invest... [More]

Despite the drawbacks, the U.S. dollar seems destined to remain Ecuador's currency for the foreseeable future

September 15, 2009 05:09 by Admin
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa has joked that the only thing more popular than he is in this country is the U.S. dollar, adopted as Ecuador's official currency nine years ago in a successful bid to tame inflation. The socialist leader is serious however about maintaining his clout wi... [More]

LIVING ABROAD
Once you've made the move, immerse yourself in the life of your new home

September 11, 2009 00:49 by Admin
This is the second of a three-part series about the experience of living abroad. The author, Kathleen Peddicord, was publisher of International Living for more than 20 years and is currently publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, a web and publishing service for propective expats and foreign ... [More]

LIVING ABROAD
Considering moving overseas? Do your research but, in the end, you will have to follow your heart

September 9, 2009 02:56 by Admin
This is the first of a three-part series about the experience of moving and living abroad. The author, Kathleen Peddicord, was publisher of International Living for more than 20 years and is currently publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, a web and publishing service for propective expats an... [More]

International Living magazine ranks Ecuador as the best country and Cuenca as the best city for expat retirement

September 2, 2009 07:04 by Admin
For years, Ron and Donna Carlson had been searching for the perfect retirement spot. After long professional careers, they were living comfortably in Camas, Washington with a view of the Columbia River and Mt. Hood. Winters were spent in a second home on a golf course in Surprise, Arizona. &... [More]

October real estate tours highlight the South Coast and Cuenca, Ecuador's most popular areas for foreign residents and investors

September 1, 2009 10:48 by Admin
Interested in checking out Ecuador’s most popular areas for foreign investors and expatriates -- the south coast and the Andean colonial city of Cuenca? TransAndean Trading Company and Ecuador Properties have announced dates for their October real estate tours. The coastal tour runs from Oct... [More]

Chevron produces video and audio tapes to support bribery charges against judge and Ecuadorian officials

September 1, 2009 03:17 by Admin
Oil giant Chevron said Monday that it had obtained video recordings of meetings in Ecuador this year that appear to reveal a bribery scheme connected to a $27 billion lawsuit the company faces over environmental damage at oil fields it operated in remote areas of the Amazon forest in Ecuador.... [More]

Correa begins second term facing serious challenges; falling poll numbers and a shaky legislative alliance could pose problems

August 6, 2009 06:31 by Admin
President Rafael Correa starts a second term on Monday promising "21st century socialism" for Ecuador, but his clashes with investors may jeopardize trade and deter financing he needs to reverse an oil output slump. He also faces a drop in popular support, according to two recent p... [More]