In northern-central Ecuador, at the intersection of three key provinces, a road approximately 40 kilometers long and 16 meters wide has been constructed by the Chinese company China Road and Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. One of the major projects in the post-reconstruction efforts following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016, this road benefits over 10,000 locals. Lined with palm and cocoa trees, along with fruit stalls and lush tropical vegetation, the road not only showcases the region’s agricultural potential but also provides the long-awaited transportation infrastructure for the community.
Local farmers report that this modern infrastructure has fundamentally transformed their lives, replacing the previously narrow and rugged road. Fifty-three-year-old farmer Viniisio Galiado recalled the unstable and challenging conditions of the old gravel road and noted that the new road has dramatically accelerated vehicle and freight transport. The travel time from Imbabura province to Quininde, which used to take up to two hours, has now been reduced to just 30 minutes, enabling faster and more cost-effective delivery of key economic crops such as palm oil, cocoa, and bananas to urban markets.
During the construction phase, hundreds of local residents were employed, and many gained new skills through vocational training. The road has revitalized the region’s economic and social life while boosting local business revenues—roadside stalls now see significant increases in the sales of fruits, local chicken, and other products. Beyond infrastructure improvements, Chinese investments in Ecuador extend to other development projects such as hospital construction, Manta Airport, and various bridge projects. These initiatives have deepened China-Ecuador relations and raised local expectations for even more future investments from China.
https://news.cctv.com/2025/02/18/ARTIKuNCN5iHBkd5oMFDenXW250218.shtml