Vicente Wong in Geneva

Ecuadorian businessman meets great challenges for social development

Yolanda Rojal

For most banana producers and exporters in Latin America, Vicente Wong needs no introduction. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1963, this young economist, President of a family run group, among the most important in South America (WONG GROUP), which is composed by 12 enterprises, is also deeply concerned about environment and social development. His father, the late Dr. Segundo Wong of Chinese-Ecuadorian origin and founder of the group, received several honors for his contribution in agriculture and for opening new markets for Ecuadorian bananas and for his labour on social development activities. Reybanpack, the flagship company of the group with its 7000 hectares of banana plantation, has a participation of 20% of total exports in Ecuador and generates 4000 jobs. It’s also the first company in South America to obtain the environment certification “ECO-O.K” from the Rainforest Alliance.

Vicente , together with his brother and sister, and under the legacy of his father, is continuing the challenge to progress and open new markets for the Ecuadorian industry, with ethics and social compromise, meeting the challenge of creativity, innovation and of solving things in his plantation, nature’s way with the aim of enhancing the quality of the living environment.

The group wants to transfer its own experience with social and environmental commitment through clear policies, stated objectives, and measurable results, to eliminate child labour and compensate official absence in certain community concerns, as education and healthcare, in rural Ecuador.

The wong foundation

The Wong Foundation was established in 1993 to manage and develop the social programs of the Wong Group,. Its mission is to promote the physical, intellectual and spiritual growth of children and their communities, specially in rural areas; and to protect the tropical biodiversity of Ecuador.

With more than 3000 children in 31 adopted schools, its impact on rural basic education continues growing. It also executes and supports other programs in education, health and environmental conservation.

Not only does this foster close ties within families-everyone from small children to elderly grandparents can get involved – it also enables them to maintain an important degree of self sufficiency

The Rio Palenque Science Center

The Rio Palenque Science Center for research was established in 1970 by the University of Miami, and acquired in 1998 by the group. It includes about 100 hectares of primary tropical rainforest, the only remaining forest of its kind in the region protected as an ecological reserve. Thousands of rare species of flora and fauna have been identified, including many that are specific to this fascinating forest with a wide range of intense tropical colors.

Plans are now underway to reactivate scientific investigation, ecotourism and other programs in the reserve. The property also includes about 100 hectares of oil palm, rubber, macadamia, and other crops, and part of this will be dedicated to the cultivation of native species.