Ecuador news, written for expats

The Cámara de la Construcción de Cuenca will host the Inmo Build fair on September 26 and 27, 2026, at Quinta Lucrecia. This event aims to connect buyers and investors with real estate projects, construction companies, financial entities, and material suppliers, highlighting Cuenca's growing real estate sector.

Over the past weekend and into Monday, more than a dozen forest fires have destroyed significant vegetation across Cuenca and the wider Azuay province. Firefighters, supported by military personnel, are battling blazes in multiple sectors, with strong winds and difficult terrain complicating efforts. Authorities emphasize that most fires are provoked and constitute a crime.

Ecuador's Central Bank projects remittances will reach a record $8.020 million in 2026, representing approximately 5.90% of GDP. This surge, primarily from the United States, is expected to boost household consumption and is complemented by government programs facilitating real estate acquisition for Ecuadorians abroad.

The Ministry of Transport and Technology (MIT) missed its September 17, 2026, deadline to award the construction contract for the new Gapal traffic interchange in Cuenca. The delay follows claims from multiple bidders regarding the qualification process. Separately, the MIT is moving forward with studies for the Paute – Guarumales – Méndez road.

Ecuador registered 200 reports of possible illegal deposit-taking crimes in 2025, a 31.6% increase from 2019, according to the Attorney General's Office. A recent study highlights a sustained reduction in these crime reports between 2022 and 2025, yet significant provincial and cantonal concentrations persist.

Ecuador plans to incorporate two additional electricity-generating barges by September 21-22, 2026, to reinforce the national power grid. These units, already in the country, are intended primarily for the industrial sector, which will pay the real cost of generation. This move aims to alleviate pressure on hydroelectric reserves, particularly the Mazar reservoir.