The numbers reflect a major investment of public funds and the execution of important projects in recent years, but it is time for private investment to take the baton.

In Ecuador, in the last years Public Investment has been the axis engine of the economy. However, the current economic situation has forced the authorities to shift in relation to the policy of investment required to maintain the same level of execution of works. Now, it is the private sector that should seize the opening that the government is offering to clear lights and become what it was always meant to be: the real engine of the national economy.

What has happened in Ecuador in the matter of investment and Public Procurement in recent years? Beginning in 2008 with the issuance of the Organic Law of the National Public Procurement System -LOSNCP- and the creation of the National Institute of Public Procurement (INCOP) today SERCOP, marking a before and after in the public purchases of Ecuador. The applicable system was modernized through technological tools; Procurement legislation was unified in a single regulatory body; the National Register of Providers -RUP- was created eliminating thousands of records independently managed by agencies and contracting authorities; and, perhaps the most significant changes were the standardization of goods and services and the use of the public procurement portal as a tool for recruitment.

From these changes, public investment in Government Procurement has had a major impact on the Ecuadorian economy; in 2013 it was approximated to $ 11,000 million, representing 11.5% of GDP and 33.5% of National Budget. However, by 2014 the Public Procurement was 8.1% of GDP and 23.9% of National Budget, showing a contraction. It is noted that the crisis began to hit, probably as a result of the oil price, which was exacerbated by the virtual absence of tax savings.

All information on public procurement in Ecuador is posted and at the hand of all interested people through the website www.compraspublicas.com, which means opportunities for those who properly use these numbers, inside and outside the country. One of the most valuable tools of information for the employer and provider of the State is the Annual Procurement Plan (PAC) that every contracting entity is obliged to publish at the beginning of each year on its institutional website and public shopping portal.

The conjunction changed: It's time for private investment:

It cannot be denied that the local and global economic data show times of crisis; however, that is when the real enterprising /entrepreneurs, local and foreign highlight to seize the opportunities. Thus, there are tools to do so:

By Executive Decree the government issued the Regulations of the Board of Public-Private Partnership in which the rules are set for a "private developer" to generate projects in strategic sectors and public services. With the issuance of this Regulation, private companies can invest in the areas of strategic sectors, providing electricity utilities, roads, port, airport and railway facilities, in such new projects and those existing. The Annual Investment Program 2015 consisting in the General State Budget provides a total of $ 8.116 million allocated to profitable and social projects in these sectors.

Are there other tools to ensure the active participation of the private sector in the economy and Procurement of Ecuador? Yes, there are. The possibility that proposals for funding provided by the suppliers themselves or by investors to cover all projects are presented; - The delegation to the participation in strategic sectors and public services to joint ventures and in an exceptional way to private initiative; - The associative capacity, according to which public enterprises can be any type of partnership, strategic alliances, mixed economy societies with public and private sectors at national or international level.

Are not these real opportunities for the private sector to take the leadership in relation to investment in Government Procurement and in general pass to the driver's seat in the vehicle of the national economy? It only requires the interest from entrepreneurs, including foreigners, who obviously, in order to watch over their business and investments should seek legal advice necessary to participate in these projects.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.