Mexico is keen on exploring investment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and meat production to boost Qatar’s food security programme, an official has said.

According to Juan Ignacio Gallardo Thurlow, chairman and CEO of holding company, Organizacion Cultiba SAB de CV, the Mexican private sector is rife in investment opportunities for Qatari businessmen in innovation, distribution, and transport of food from Mexico.

“We must think beyond halal. Rather, we must build a bridge between our two countries by producing and packaging together in Mexico. Creating synergy and competitiveness, as well as innovation is the kind of thought process we need to do,” Thurlow said during the recently-held Qatar-Mexico Business Forum.

He also noted that food security is a significant business prospect for Gulf countries.

“Food is enormously important. Mexico is a food basket. Our country has many advantages in terms of varied weather and time conditions for food production. We should be exploring how we must do that together,” Thurlow told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event.

Asked what types of projects in food production are being explored by Qatar and Mexico, Thurlow said the projects could range from manufacturing to production and packaging.

“We should produce and package food together to give consumers the kind of flavour and taste and capability that is most attractive for the region. I think it would be very interesting to see how this would evolve.

“The big challenge is to make sure that we actually execute what has been discussed during the forum. It’s the follow-up that is important and I think that’s where we are challenged as a private sector,” Thurlow said.

He added: “Food security is not just a case to case or cargo by cargo basis but as a whole production chain that has a destination and a source. Both countries have the capability to build it together and that’s where the challenge is.”

Aside from food security, Thurlow said both Qatar and Mexico are committed to very large infrastructure programmes.

“Our experiences in construction, financing, and developing these kinds of large projects are extremely valuable and we’re going to exchange a lot of views on how to do it better and not just bidding on the contract,” he explained.

He also stressed that the fall in oil prices is an opportunity for Mexico to contribute to Qatar’s diversification strategy.

“Qatar is challenged to diversify and this diversification has been part of the country’s plan already. Certainly, Mexico can be a part of it, as well as in the challenge to continue until the Qatar National Vision 2030. We could be part of that as well,” he said.

He added: “And we are challenged to continue to do the development and transformation that we talked about in the forum. We can complement each other; this is not based on a moment of an oil price. It is based on strategic convenience and ability to build a bridge between both countries.”