Mexico-China air bridge created in agri-food trade
April 17th, 2015The connection will facilitate exports of beef, pork, melon and papaya, among other products, in addition to increasing shipments of avocado and blackberries to the Asian country.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Enrique Martínez y Martínez, signed a memorandum of understanding for the operation of an air bridge between Guadalajara, Jalisco, with the province of Henan, in China.
Henan, located in the center of the Asian country, has more than 106 million inhabitants and strategic transportation connectivity that reaches approximately 700 million people, which will facilitate the movement of Mexican agri-food products.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (Sagarpa) assured that "a new era in cooperation and commercial exchange has been established between Mexico and the People's Republic of China."
Within the framework of the signing of the memorandum, Martínez y Martínez said that the friendship, history and culture of both countries are elements that in recent years have allowed them to strengthen the ties of cooperation, investment and commercial relations.
The geographical position of Mexico, its climate and potential in the horticultural and livestock sector, as well as the speed with which the health authorities respond to the protocols, increase the possibility of advancing in agri-food exports to China.
The official added that these agrologistics actions, together with the phytosanitary and zoosanitary protocols, will facilitate the start of exports of beef, pork, melon and papaya, among other products, in addition to increasing the shipment of avocado and berries.
In this regard, he recalled that at the end of last year, agri-food exports totaled around 26 billion dollars, of which 80 percent went mainly to the United States, Canada and Japan.
For his part, the deputy governor of Henan province, Zhao Jiancai, indicated that it is a meeting of mutual friendship and promotion of economic cooperation between the two countries, in a context of opening his nation to achieve a more comprehensive and participatory development.
He explained that the location of Henan province is essential for the establishment of the air bridge, which will complement the trade of agricultural products.
Sagarpa highlighted that the memorandum responds to the commitment established by President Enrique Peña Nieto during his visit to the People's Republic of China last November.
This, in the sense of specifying the agrologistics project "Henan-Guadalajara Air Bridge", which establishes the legal framework to convert said province into the distribution center for Mexican agricultural merchandise that arrives by air.
The air bridge with said province, one of the most important and with the greatest purchasing power in that country, has the adequate infrastructure for the transfer of merchandise, so that Mexican producers can export under more competitive conditions.
Prior to the signing of the agreement, a delegation of Chinese officials, businessmen and importers visited the cargo terminal of the Guadalajara airport with the aim of verifying the state of the facilities.
Through this terminal, more than 48 thousand tons of perishable products are exported annually, among which mangoes, avocados and strawberries stand out to various destinations in Europe, Asia and America.
For its part, Henan International Airport is one of the most important in China and has been authorized by the China Quarantine and Inspection Administration for the entry of fruits and meats.
It moves 400 thousand tons of cargo per year and it is estimated that by 2020 it will reach one million tons, since it has connections with 91 cities in that country and 32 international cargo routes, such as Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Chicago.
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Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas-cartera/2015/crean-puente-aereo-entre-mexico-y-china-en-comercio-de-agroalimentos-1083195.html