ASEAN TRADE AND BUSINESS PROMOTION VISIT TO THE STATE OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO 25-26 MAY 2021

The ASEAN Committee in Mexico City (ACMC) held its ASEAN Annual Economic Roadshow in 2021 to the State of Veracruz, Mexico from 25 to 26 May 2021. All Head of Missions from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam were present while the Embassy of the Philippines was headed by its Third Secretary as the Ambassador was on private trip abroad. This event was co-organised by ASEAN Committee in Mexico City (ACMC) and Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade Investment and Technology (COMCE).

The ASEAN Annual Economic Roadshow is biannual event with the objectives viz:

   2.1 Promote greater interaction between ASEAN Missions and State officials with a view to enhance collaboration at all levels;

   2.2 Main focus of the programme is to seek potential economic collaboration with different Mexican States;

   2.3 As an outreach programme to enhance ASEAN awareness among the general public in Mexico with a view to strengthen and diversify the relations at different areas including cultural and tourism.

During the two-day program, ASEAN Ambassadors in Mexico had meetings with the state government as well as business representatives and presented talks on trade and investment opportunities with ASEAN and the individual country in ASEAN.

List of activities can be summarised as follow:

1. Meeting followed by lunch hosted by the Governor of the State of Veracruz;
2. Meeting with the secretaries of the State of Veracruz (Secretary of Economic and Ports Development of Veracruz, Deputy Secretary of Industry and Foreign Trade, Deputy Director of Foreign Trade, Secretary of Tourism and Secretary of Agricultural Development);
3. Meeting and tour of Port Administration of Veracruz;
4. Meeting with private associations and business chambers of Veracruz followed by lunch.

The visit has been well received by the State Government and business community in the State of Veracruz. The visit has not only created greater awareness of ASEAN as a regional organisation in general, but also in promoting business and trade opportunities between the state and Southeast Asian region and individual countries.

The participation of the Malaysian Embassy headed by the TYT Ambassador Muzafar Shah Mustafa and accompanied by MATRADE officers also reflects Malaysia`s continued commitment towards the ACMC and its activities in strengthening the diplomatic relations including trade dealings between ASEAN and Mexico

ANNEX I