Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - In order to strengthen trade between both countries, the Mexican Government, through the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation with the People's Republic of China.

Jalisco was chosen as the venue for the signing of the memorandum because it is one of the largest producers of corn, meat products, eggs and agave. For example, Jalisco has an annual output of 46,000 berries, as well as 7,599 tons of cane.

The head of SAGARPA, Jose Calzada, said that the signing of the memorandum was an important event in bilateral cooperation because, despite having a good level of exports, Mexico can aspire to export more and at a better quality by considering the demands of the Chinese market.

Among the benefits, Mexico will be able to export more berries, tequila, dairy products, white corn and other important products from the state of Jalisco.

In his speech, the Minister of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China, Han Changfu, stressed that this formal approach to Mexico will help target investment, trade, and even the exchange of personnel, better.

"Mexico can export more and better, meeting all the standards required by China, and benefiting our people. The potential exchange value between both countries is less than $800 million dollars. However, I am convinced that in the very short term, and thanks to the instruments we are signing and some others we will sign with the Ministry of Health, both countries will be able to import and export more products."

China annually produces 600 million tons of grains and cereals, 80 tons of meat and 60 tons of cotton, among other agricultural products.

"Both China and Mexico are strategic partners, friendly developing countries, and big in agriculture, so bilateral cooperation can benefit producers, businesses, and consumers in both countries," Changfu added.

The governor of Jalisco, Aristoteles Sandoval Diaz, said agribusiness was the cornerstone of Jalisco's development, proof of that is that the entity contributes 11.2% of the agricultural production GDP at national level.

In turn, the Secretary of Rural Development in Jalisco, Hector Padilla, said this memorandum was an important projection of the state of Jalisco to the world, as it would bring opportunities to export their products to other places since, for example, they would have an increased production of avocados that would soon comply with the protocols to export to China.