The meeting began on Monday with a review of the results to date achieved by the current administration.

The director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic, Laura Sarabia, told the media that on the first meeting, a balance by sectors was made, and budgetary issues were fundamentally reviewed.

The Minister of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino, commented that the progress of agricultural development was examined, which currently showed unprecedented growth in both production and export. She assured that the progress achieved allows them to ensure that the government’s policy of making agriculture the economy’s engine is effective and assertive.

Carvajalino also stated that the first-day meeting results were positive. She explained that outcomes of the leverage of credit for agricultural development, allocation of resources for technical assistance, and granting of guarantees in the formality and ownership of land for farmers were presented.

Minister of Finance Diego Guevara gave details about a draft of an austerity plan, and mentioned that, despite the fiscal tightness, the Government has been rigorous in complying with the fiscal rule, which is the State’s financial planning instrument. “To maintain fiscal sustainability we need an effort of austerity on the part of the different entities, trying to, judiciously, measure the expenses in travel and contractors,” he declared.

Guevara added that traditional visits made by organizations that entail high costs will be limited, prioritizing virtual exchanges, while they will seek to spend on what is important to respect the government’s program.

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