Ecuador in South America has also applied for membership in the TPP = Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in which 11 countries including Japan participate, and the movement of each country aiming to join is becoming active.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, South America, told NHK on the 29th that it had submitted a letter requesting participation in the TPP = Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement to the New Zealand government, which is the coordinator of the agreement.
According to the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand government welcomed it and said it would consider it with other members of the TPP.
Ecuador, which faces the Pacific Ocean, exports not only oil but also bananas, cacao, and shrimp.
The centre-right President Lasso, who took office in May, has indicated a policy of promoting free trade to revitalize the economy, aiming to expand exports to the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, through joining the TPP.
Regarding the TPP, following the UK in February, China and Taiwan applied for membership one after another in September, and South Korea has also indicated a policy of aiming to apply for membership, and the movement is active.