News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 14, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  CTED: 360-725-4019; WSDA: 360-902-1815

Gov. Gary Locke to Lead Trade Mission to Mexico

OLYMPIA – June 14, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today released details of a trade mission to Mexico that he will lead June 21-24 to promote two-way trade and tourism. Scheduled activities include a personal meeting with Mexican President Vicente Fox.

Joining the governor on the mission will be Juli Wilkerson, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED); and Valoria Loveland, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA); as well as a 19-member delegation of business and agricultural leaders.

“Washington state and Mexico share a rich history of business, educational and cultural exchange, and we value Mexico as one of our leading trade partners,” Locke said. “This mission will allow us to further solidify our trade ties with Mexico as well as develop opportunities for our state’s agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors.”

Washington state exported $607 million in products to Mexico in 2003, an increase of 40 percent from the previous year. Locke wants to encourage more exports of Washington goods to Mexico as well as work to make sure the state’s products are not excluded due to tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

Objectives of this mission include:
· Introducing Washington state’s new part-time trade representative in Mexico;
· Positioning Washington as a key player in the two-way trade of goods and services with Mexico;
· Opening and expanding doors for Washington companies;
· Working with key government and business leaders to improve conditions for business;
· Continuing to foster close relationships between the state of Washington and top Mexican government officials;
· Honoring Washington’s sister-state relationship with the State of Jalisco; and
· Forging close business ties with Mexican companies.

In his meeting with President Fox, the governor plans to discuss several issues: the importance of trade between Washington state and Mexico; increased tourism opportunities; and assistance provided to farm workers and Mexican immigrants in Washington state – including farm worker housing, migrant education and in-state college tuition for high school graduates.

This will be the third trade mission to Mexico led by Locke or a member of his administration. As a result of the governor’s August 1999 mission to Mexico – coupled with the efforts of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and the Washington State Potato Commission – the historic first-ever shipments of fresh Washington potatoes were sent to Mexico in May 2003.

The shipments were made possible by a U.S.-Mexico bilateral agreement to open the Mexican market to Washington state fresh potatoes. Locke was instrumental in starting the talks that led to the historic agreement during his 1999 mission. That mission included a delegation of close to 100 business, government and educational leaders.

In October 2000, Martha Choe, then-director of CTED, led a follow-up mission with 46 business representatives, educators and state officials. Approximately 120 one-on-one meetings took place, resulting in excellent business opportunities for companies participating in the mission.

Editor's Note: List of delegates is attached.

Mexico Delegation June 2004

Jim VanderGiessen Jr., VP, CEO, Pro Refrigeration Inc. (Auburn)
Steve Helmbrecht, Vice President, International, Itron, Inc. (Spokane)
Cecilia Finlin, Technical Solutions Specialist, Itron, Inc.
Tracy King, Export Director, Washington State Apple Commission
Rebecca Baerveldt, Assistant Export Director, Washington State Apple Commission
Felix Vargas, U.S. State Department (retired)
Michael F. Langhout, Vice President, Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing (Seattle)
Greg Zaser, President & CEO, Keystone Fruit and Mayan Heritage (Walla Walla)
Rick Weis, Founder, Global Foods and The Cocoa Plantation (Bellevue)
Jim Archer, Manager, Northwest Fruit Exporters (Yakima)
Richard A, Flaherty, President & CEO, Leader International Corporation (Port Orchard)
Catherine A. Townsend-Flaherty, V.P. Administration & COO, Leader International
Mark Pedersen, National Sales Manager, Topics Entertainment (Renton)
Adriana Bailey, Director of Sales—Latin America, Topics Entertainment
Frank Martinez, Commissioner, Washington State Potato Commission
Roger Knutzen, Commissioner, Washington State Potato Commission
Shannen Bornsen, Director of Trade, Washington State Potato Commission
Herb Myers, CEO, Boxlight Corp. (Poulsbo)
Pepe Vega, President, Federation of Jalisco Clubs in Washington State








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