World Trade Week was established in 1935 by President Roosevelt and was created to recognize the importance and benefits of global trade to the local and national economy. This year, the Port of Hueneme welcomed trade partners from around the world with a focus on “Supply Chain and AI” that included Department of Commerce officials and local elected officials as well as business leaders and consuls in attendance to share information focused on the current state of the supply chain, the economy, and artificial intelligence.
The Port’s 11th annual World Trade Week event was held on May 2, 2024 at the FATHOMWERX lab located at the Port of Hueneme and welcomed almost 100 people from around the globe with an interest and involvement in international trade.
Drew Rodriguez, Public & Community Relations Senior Representative at the Port of Hueneme, was this year’s emcee. Oxnard Harbor District President, Celina Zacarias, welcomed attendees by stating that international trade is important to the Port of Hueneme and to the region.
“It is my distinct honor to be here to celebrate World Trade Week and its connection to us all here in Ventura County,” President Zaracias said. “We are gathered here at the Port of Hueneme—the birthplace of the FATHOMWERX technology lab—to continue to explore the world trade and supply chain landscape and its interconnection to technology and its potential for the Ventura County region.”
Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director, provided an overview of port operations, the current state of the supply chain, an update on the Port’s international trade partners, and the economic impact the Port has on the region.
“Happy World Trade Day!” Decas declared before jumping into her presentation about the Port. “We just came back from a trade mission and had quite an amazing experience in both South Korea and Japan,” she said. “We signed two MOUs (memorandum of understanding) and these MOUs really homed in not only on economic development, customer relations, building business, but importantly, about building green corridors and sustainability and moving towards a footprint of decarbonization.”
Trade updates from the Port’s global partners from the countries of Mexico, Lithuania, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom shared key information about how their country’s traditional exports and emerging markets are fostering growth and investment opportunities.
Ambassador Ricardo Santana, Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard, said: “Our ongoing trade partnership continues to grow. For us, the Port is very important because of its location—strategically situated on the Central Coast of California for its infrastructure with the modern docks, storage facilities, and railway access. In 2022, bilateral trade between Mexico and California amounted to $73.7 billion dollars.”
Mantas Zamzickas, Commercial Attaché of Lithuania to the USA, Consulate General of Lithuania in Los Angeles said: “The Port of Klaipeda is the biggest in Lithuania and started a collaboration with the Port of Hueneme just last year. Hopefully, in upcoming years, the (trade) numbers will increase.”
Sean Kagan, Senior Trade Policy Advisor, British Consulate-General Los Angeles, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “The U.S. is the U.K.’s largest export market for goods and services, so it is a really important trade relationship for the United Kingdom. U.S./U.K. bilateral invest is worth over $1.5 trillion—supporting more than 2.7 million jobs. It’s great to be at a port where you can see that happening. You can see the goods coming in.”
Betty Young, Business Development Officer, Hong Kong Trade Development Council said: “We are here to connect international companies to meet many of the rising opportunities in this market and in growing sectors. Hong Kong can facilitate new opportunities in innovation and technology, medical and healthcare, sustainability, and creative.”
A special pre-recorded welcome message of Grant T. Harris, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry & Analysis, was shared with attendees: “Enhancing supply chain resiliency is central to our work at the Department of Commerce,” he said. “Together, with industry partners like the Port of Hueneme, we are working to address and get ahead of supply chain issues facing American businesses. By building stronger and more resilient supply chains, we will strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness, protect our national security, and support good paying jobs in communities across the country.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Caroline Kaufman, Industries Team Lead in the Office of Supply Chain Services and the International Trade Administration which is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
