Latin American magnates met in Cartagena, Colombia, this past Tuesday to Thursday. Among the select list of participants were Carlos Slim of México; Julio Mario Santo Domingo of Colombia; Carlos Ardila, Gustavo Sarmiento, Paolo Rocca, Federico Braun and Alfredo Román from Argentina; Andrónico Luksic and Álvaro Saieh from Chile; Joao Marinho, David Feffer and Antonio Moreira, from Brazil; the Central American Stanley Motta, as well as others.
Ecuador was no exception. Also invited among the prominent multimillionaires was businessman Álvaro Noboa Pontón, his wife, Anabella Azín, and his family. However, the Noboa-Azín couple were absent due to reasons beyond their control due to the beginning of the electoral campaign taking place in the country, given that they are the PRIAN, list 7, candidates for President and Vice-President.

In view of this, Counselor Noboa excused his absence. His children Carla and John Sebastián Noboa Azín and his nephew Leonardo Noboa Icaza took part in his place.

It should be emphasized that only personalities of renown took part in the meeting and one of the motives was to exchange ideas, share experiences, and to mutually commit to work together and to support their respective countries. Among the special invitees were Álvaro Uribe, President of Colombia.

Today, in particular, during a press conference, Counselor Álvaro Noboa mentioned that his government, were he to become President, would attract foreign investment to the country, given that his friends (real world magnates) are committed to unconditionally supporting him during his mandate. He put this proposal forward during earlier campaigns and has renewed it in this electoral period, by which he reminds Ecuadorians of new possibilities and the change that could positively affect Ecuador.

Earlier meetings took place in Mexico in May 2003 and in Argentina in April 2006, convened by Carlos Slim and the Venezuelan Gustavo Cisneros. On those occasions, the businessmen, together with their wives, children and grandchildren took part to get to know each other better.

Christian Colombo Cordero
Correspondent Reporter RRPP PRIAN

Katherine Gafter
Director RRPP