In order to stimulate, strengthen, expand and consolidate the internationalization of the products and services of companies that are part of the business community of the Science and Technology Park of Almeria (PITA) and its closest environment, the technopolis has promoted a mission Reverse trade through which the visit of a Japanese delegation has been received.

The PITA organized a work agenda that was attended by Agroinver, dedicated to the design and construction of greenhouses; Andalusian Committee of Organic Agriculture (CAAE); Luis Andújar, specialized in the production and marketing of organic tomatoes; Biorizon Biotech, a biotechnology company that bases its activity on microalgae based products for agriculture; ALMOST, leaders in tomato production and marketing; and the Las Palmerillas Experimental Center, references in the research and technology of Mediterranean intensive agriculture. The Japanese delegation was made up of the vice president in infrastructure and public sector consultancy of Deloitte Tohmatsun Financial Advisory, Takashi Iseki and Deloitte analyst and consultant, Chie Yasumasu. On behalf of the PITA, the director of the Park, Diego Clemente, the director of Business Development, Evan Céspedes and the director of Innovation, Alicia Cañadas participated.

Japan is a country with a shortage of arable land and lack of labor, agrotechnology has increased accuracy in monitoring and maintaining crops. They are even adopting landless crops, through hydroponics, in areas with limited access to water. From Deloitte Tohmatsu they were very interested in knowing the standards of the Almeria greenhouses, in addition to the reduction of costs that as a result of the incorporation of technology.

The entry into force this year of the Free Trade Agreement Between the European Union and Japan is opening new business opportunities, especially in some sectors. As the EU itself emphasizes, so far, obstacles to trade included high Japanese customs duties with almost 40% on beef, up to 30% on chocolate, 15% on wine and up to 40 % over cheese. Now, the new agreement will reduce or remove those obstacles. Among other things, it implies recognition by Japan of more than 200 certified European specialties and will protect farmers and producers when they sell there; It opens the Japanese services market to EU companies and allows them to participate in more public contracts.