BAJA CALIFORNIA – In order to promote greater agri-food, scientific and technological exchange with Japan, the head of the Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SEPESCA) of Baja California, Alma Rosa García Juárez, began a working tour of the cities of Tokyo and Hokkaido in the Asian country.
García highlighted the interest of the Government of Baja California to consolidate an integral chain of production, processing, supply and sale of fishery and aquaculture products and by-products, with greater advantages for both countries.
The objective is to expand the agri-food trade exchange and strengthen scientific and technological cooperation, within the framework of the good relationship that exists in trade, since Japan is an area of opportunity for Baja California’s fishery and aquaculture products.
García Juárez held meetings with the Mexican Ambassador to Japan, Melba María Pría Olivarrieta, as well as with high-level officials of the host government.
He also met with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Asian country, Takeshi Mori, and with the Director of the Division for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Shinichi Sato.
She also worked with the executive vice presidents of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Katsunori Nakazawa and Nobutaka Maekawa.
Ambassador Pría Olivarrieta acknowledged that Baja California products are highly appreciated in Japan, and highlighted that Baja California accounts for a high percentage of Mexican exports to Japan.
The director of the Division for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Shinichi Sato, referred to the importance of Baja California’s bilateral relationship with his country. He stated that Mexico has supported Japan, even in times of adversity, and spoke of a commercial relationship that dates back more than 125 years.
With JETRO, Alma Rosa Garcia recalled that in November 2023 the first visit of this organization to Ensenada was established, where with the support of the State Government, companies interested in the process of Hotate, a mollusk that is cultivated in the Asian country, were visited.
The directors of the organization expressed their interest in consolidating business in Baja California, given the similarities of this region with Japan.
The agenda also included the presence of José Alberto Cuéllar Álvarez, head of SADER’s Agricultural Counselor for Asia Pacific.
The working tour includes the cities of Tokyo and Hokkaido, and will also focus on meetings with the most important companies in the distribution of fish and seafood in Japan.
In Hokkaido, the delegation headed by SEPESCA BC will visit processing plants and aquaculture fields, to learn about their processes and take advantage of their experience in Baja California’s processing industry.
