China and Chile have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an aim to strengthen fishery and aquaculture trade between the two nations
According to Chilean Ministry, the bilateral agreement will formalise the general requirements for exporting fishery products to the Chinese market. It will also formally recognise National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) as competent authority to grant sanitary certification and perform registration of companies and establishments intending to export to China.
Both the countries pledged to strengthen the exchange of technical knowledge by standardising requirements associated with resource import and export and inspection protocols, added the statement.
Raul Sunico, head of Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA), highlighted that the Chinese market experienced a large increase in exports of Chilean fresh salmon during 2014, changing from 700 tonnes in 2013 to more than 2,600 tonnes so far in 2014.
“These agreements will help maintain and stimulate the flow of shipments and build competitive advantage over other exporters of fishery products,” Sunico said.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Chile said that in 2013 the shipments of Chilean fishery products to the Chinese market generated US$343mn in revenue.
