US (FL): Port authority sees increased tonnage thanks to Ecuador trade
On Tuesday, executive director Carlos Buqueras reported operating revenues of $13 million, up 9 percent in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, while cutting expenses by 3 percent.
Total tonnage was estimated at 7.8 million tons, a 13 percent increase.
Also Tuesday, Manuel Echeverria Castro, trade commissioner for Ecuador, made a presentation to the authority on the benefits of doing business with his country.
Thirty-two percent of Ecuador’s business with the United States is through Florida ports, and Ecuador would like to increase its business through Port Manatee, Castro said.
Some of the leading exports from Ecuador are shrimp, gold, bananas, flowers, tuna and cocoa beans.
Read more at the Bradenton Herald (James A. Jones Jr.)