The Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (Asoex) stated on Thursday that they had signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding with China Eastern Airlines to facilitate air exports of Chilean fruit from Chile to China, especially blueberries and cherries, as well as to promote this fresh produce.
The signing ceremony was attended by Ronald Bown, the president of Asoex; Enrique Lira, of the General Secretariat; Ignacio Caballero, assistant manager of marketing; Santiago Contreras, marketing analyst, and Andrew Armstrong, executive director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee. Representing China Eastern Airlines were Li Jiupeng, chairman of Easter Air Logistics Co. Ltd. (EAL); Feng Huifang, general manager of EAL America; Steven Fang, vice president of Shanghai Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. Express; Tian Liuwen, executive vice president of China Earsten Airlines Co Ltd, and Guo Junxiu, general counsel for the China Eastern Air Holding Company.
The president of Asoex stated: "This agreement is very important because it allows us, from a logistical point of view, to have the possibility to reach this destination quickly at the beginning of each season. This is a complement to other similar activities that we'll carry out with other airlines. This is a very important airline, and the fact that their president came to sign this agreement reflects the wiilingness there is to collaborate with each other, not only in logistics, but also in other activities that we'll develop to enhance our cherries in China."
Bown, said that they were also considering holding a ceremony to mark the first shipment and inviting the President of China to attend during his visit to Chile in November.
Meanwhile, the president of Eastern Air Logistics Co Ltd, highlighted the quality of Chilean cherries and pointed out that they were a perfect match for the airline, as service quality was also critical for them. He added: "We hope this agreement is the beginning of a closer relationship with ASOEX and the arrival of a greater amount of quality fruit to China."
In turn, Rodrigo Contreras, who is in charge of International Affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture, said: "We've been working with Asoex for a long time. We are pleased to be a part of this agreement, which will benefit our fruits. The agreement is the continuation of the promotion of Chilean cherries that was made with this same airline last season."
Source: econoiaynegocios.cl