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Tax Advisory

Executive Decree No. 389 – Regulatory Reform of the Audiovisual Sector: New Institutional Framework and Procedure for the Audiovisual Investment Certificate (CIA)

6 de July de 2026
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On May 20, 2026, through Executive Decree No. 389, the President amended the General Regulations of the Organic Law for Digital and Audiovisual Transformation (LOTDA), restructuring the institutional framework governing the audiovisual sector and the procedure for obtaining the Audiovisual Investment Certificate (CIA).

The CIA is a negotiable instrument issued by the Ecuadorian Internal Revenue Service (SRI) in favor of domestic and foreign production companies, equivalent to 37% of the costs and expenses incurred in Ecuador for audiovisual and logistical services. The certificate may be used as a tax credit, and its transfer does not constitute taxable income nor is it subject to income tax withholding.

New Institutional Framework of the Competent Authority

The Executive Decree replaces Articles 49 and 50 of the General Regulations of the LOTDA, eliminating the Audiovisual Film Investment Selection Committee (COSICA) and transferring its powers to the investment authority (currently the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries), which assumes the following principal powers:

  • Issue the technical regulations establishing the eligibility requirements and allocation percentages.
  • Approve or reject audiovisual projects eligible for the Audiovisual Investment Certificate (CIA).
  • Issue the Project Completion Resolution.
  • Submit the financial report to the Ecuadorian Internal Revenue Service (SRI) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Procedure for Obtaining the Audiovisual Investment Certificate (CIA):

Through new Article 54.1, the procedure for obtaining the CIA is regulated, including specific statutory deadlines:

  1. Submission of the application and supporting documentation to the investment authority.
  2. Verification of compliance with the applicable requirements by the investment authority within up to ten (10) business days. Where deficiencies are identified, the applicant will be granted an additional ten (10) business days to remedy them.
  3. Approval or rejection of the application within up to fifteen (15) business days after the required documentation has been duly completed.
  4. Implementation of the project in accordance with the approved schedule.
  5. Submission of the request for the Project Completion Resolution, together with the technical and financial report and the external auditor’s report.
  6. The investment authority shall verify compliance with the applicable requirements and issue the Project Completion Resolution within a maximum of ten (10) business days after receipt of the complete application file.
  7. The producer has three (3) years to submit the Project Completion Resolution to the Ecuadorian Internal Revenue Service (SRI), which shall issue the CIA within up to fifteen (15) business days.

The Executive Decree entered into force upon its execution, without prejudice to its subsequent publication in the Official Gazette.

Should you require any additional information regarding the application of these provisions, please do not hesitate to contact us.


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This publication contains information of general interest and does not constitute legal opinion on specific issues. Any analysis will require legal advice from the Firm.