Nine blocks of the historic center of Quito are part of the “back to the center” project

The initiative “back to the center” that proposes the economic reactivation in the historic center of Quito was presented again, this morning, at the Banco de Pichincha agency on García Moreno and 24 de Mayo streets, in the heart of the old town. The first launch led between the private company, the Municipality of Quito and the Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (AEI) was held on November 18, 2021.

Now, the business committee reported that the reactivation plans, after the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, They have taken an accelerated path. Anne Sevillerepresentative of this commission pointed out that they have already gone through a stage of identification of the premises and main actors in the historic center that will benefit from the development of this initiative.

In addition, he indicated that entrepreneurs They will go through training and accompaniment in their businesses. “We do not intend to end all the problems of the historic center, but we do be an example scenario to be taken into account by all”, he added.

Andres Zurita, AEI’s executive director announced the launch of the website www.quitoalcentro.com which will be available to tourists and entrepreneurs. anticipate reaching 500,000 visits on this website. Also, he indicated that Quito will be the first city of an economic reactivation campaign through innovation, They intend to replicate it in the other cities of the country.

In the nine blocks that this project is part of, the Telefónica company installed free internet service, that will serve for visitors and businesses that will be part of the return to the center.

Over the balconies of colonial houses have planted pots with geraniums, a total of six thousand plants adorn the streets of these routes. However, they invited more companies and inhabitants to be able to reach 40 thousand geraniums until the end of this year.

Carlos Loiza, president of the Quito Chamber of Commerce (CCQ) said that there are about 800 businesses in this sector, 60% dedicated to the consumption of food and beverages. He also expressed to the guests the importance of building an agenda that allows the economic reactivation of the city with order.

Loaiza added that tomorrow the CCQ will make an important announcement that also has to do with the issue of reactivation.

Finally, the mayor of Quito, Santiago Guarderas He thanked for having taken into account the historic center of the capital as the beginning of these innovative projects with the support of private companies.

According to the mayor, since he took office (due to the removal of Jorge Yunda) in October 2021 until February of this year, lCrime has decreased by 16%. However, the feeling of insecurity among citizens is still high, according to the complaints they make on social networks and the media. Guarderas also highlighted that they maintain a job of recovery of parks and gardens, which is 70% complete.

The companies that are part of the “back to the center” project are: Grupo Futuro, Corporación Favorita, Banco Pichincha, Telefónica, Fundación Telefónica, Corporación Quiport, Tesalia, KFC, Novopan, Tventas, Fundación Crisfe and Fundación Heritage. (I)