Ecuador government reduces ministries, creates six undersecretariats in Daniel Noboa's reform

The Ecuadorian government has formalized a significant administrative overhaul, establishing a new Ministry of Economic and Productive Development. This consolidated entity will house six specialized undersecretariats, a more detailed structure than initially proposed, reflecting a strategic effort to reorganize state functions.

The new ministry integrates competencies previously spread across several departments, focusing on finance, economy, production, industry, tourism, foreign trade, investment, agricultural development, rural affairs, aquaculture, and fisheries. This restructuring aims to create more focused management for sectors deemed critical to Ecuador's economic future. Notably, tourism is now integrated with industry and production, while aquaculture and fisheries have been elevated to their own undersecretariat, acknowledging their significant contribution as the country's second-largest export after oil.

This reorganization is driven by Executive Decree 425, signed by President Daniel Noboa on June 18, 2026. The decree mandated the merger of the former ministries of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, and Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries into the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which has now been renamed. The process is expected to be completed by August 20, adhering to the decree's timelines for institutional fusion and administrative integration.

Luis Alberto Jaramillo continues to lead the production aspects of the integrated ministry. However, the Ministry of Agriculture remains without a permanent head following the resignation of Juan Carlos Vega, who is now pursuing a candidacy for the Cuenca mayoralty. This administrative reshuffling signals a key phase in Noboa's broader governmental reorganization efforts.