US Officials from Around the World Come to Hueneme to Talk Commerce

International liaisons, logistic technology experts, local exporters, and trade officials convened on November 14, 2019 in a think-tank style consortium today at the Port of Hueneme. Focusing on how to grow businesses through utilizing technological advances in eCommerce and blockchain in new and emerging markets, participants interfaced with Embassy Attachés from Seoul, South Korea; Jakarta, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Los Angeles, California; Monterey, Mexico; and Singapore. The Port, license holder of the World Trade Center Oxnard, partnered with the U.S. Commerce Service, U.S. Small Business Administration, and District Export Council to host the “Exporting Success” event.

Roundtable Discussion “What About Asia?” at Exporting Success event

“Today was a wonderful opportunity to have experts on trade and exports come to our Port, exchange ideas, build relationships and support our community of exporters here in Ventura County and the region,” reflected Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Herrera. “As the license holder for the World Trade Center Oxnard, we look forward to continuing to host these events including our World Trade Week event held each May.”

The event, which included a special welcome from Jess Herrera, featured presentations by: Kristin Decas, CEO, Port of Hueneme; Doug Jacobson, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service, Ho Chi Minh City; John Carter, Vice President, Global Sales, Limoneira Company; along with commercial officers representing South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore.

Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Herrera welcomes the event attendees

“Today’s program provides local businesses the opportunity to learn about innovative strategies to tap markets around the world in the age of eCommerce and a growing global marketplace,” explained Kristin Decas, CEO and Port Director for The Port of Hueneme.

John Carter, Limoneira

Expert Robert Saikali, Vice President and Manager of International Banking and Trade Finance for City National Bank provided pro tips on the newest financing options when venturing into international markets and new trade lanes. A focus centered on the emerging markets of Asia including South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam throughout the days program. Many of these countries are becoming a competitive alternative to China in light of the recent trade negotiations. Pellson Lau, Regional Export Finance Manager for the Office of International Trade, U.S.A. Small Business Administration shared a plethora of options available to small and emerging businesses as they make the leap into the global market place. He emphasized the importance of diversifying and balancing your supply chain portfolio to enable effective responses to an everchanging political and logistical environment. Produce exporting customers of the Port also attended the event including Limoneira, Anacapa Fresh, and Mission Produce.

Representatives from the District’s two cities also came to learn the nuisances of growing successful export businesses including Port Hueneme City Councilmember Rich Rollins and City of Oxnard Community Development Director Jeffrey Lambert. At the event, Lambert commented, “The Port of Hueneme is a tremendous economic engine for our community and working to increase trade through programs like this will provide a direct economic benefit to the City of Oxnard.”
The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $9.5 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.7 billion in economic activity and creating 15,834 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $119 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit.