News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 10, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke to lead international trade mission to Mexico

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke next week will lead an international trade mission of nearly 100 Washington delegates to Mexico, the nation's second-largest merchandise export market.

"This trade mission to Mexico will help us strengthen the important economic, educational, technological and cultural bonds that Mexico and Washington share," Locke said. "Mexico is a growing and dynamic country that is becoming an increasingly important trading partner. This mission will be an important step in promoting Washington as a source of world-class products and services."

"Mexico is already a major market for Washington agricultural products, especially apples and french-fried potatoes," said Jim Jesernig, director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture. "We look forward to this opportunity to pursue greater market access for our producers."

In 1998 Mexico replaced Japan as the United States' second-largest merchandise export market after Canada. U.S exporters sold more than $80 billion in goods to Mexico last year. Washington businesses accounted for $600 million of that. Washington businesses are national leaders in many of the product sectors in greatest demand in Mexico, such as high technology, software manufacturing, environmental, telecommunications and process equipment.

There are some 350,000 people of Mexican descent residing in Washington, making significant contributions to the state's cultural diversity and economic development. Business success stories include several Mexican restaurant chains in Washington, owned by people from Jalisco. Not only did these entrepreneurs bring their business expertise, but they also brought their cultural customs and traditions with them.

Locke's itinerary includes with an official meeting with Mexico's President Ernesto Zedillo in Mexico City, as well as a round of meetings with the ministers of commerce, agriculture, environment and natural resources, culture, energy, transportation and foreign relations.

While in Mexico City, Locke will visit a supermarket that features Washington-grown products. A meeting with the key business leaders of Mexico also is scheduled.

The delegation then departs for Guadalajara, where Locke will officiate at ceremonies honoring "Washington Week in Jalisco." Jalisco, Washington's sister state, is one of Mexico's most important states. It is the fourth most-populous state, and is considered a cultural, religious and economic center, second only to Mexico City. As its capital, Guadalajara dominates the state's political and economic activity. Nearly 100,000 of the Mexican Americans living in Washington are from the state of Jalisco.

To expand the knowledge of each other's states, Washington and Jalisco have created "Washington Week in Jalisco" to coincide with Locke's visit to Guadalajara. The governor will inaugurate the "Washington Week" at the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce building. While in Guadalajara, Locke also will participate in a series of events with his host, Jalisco Governor Alberto Cardenas.

One event will highlight displays from a number of sectors of the Washington economy, including tourism, education, agriculture, business and culture. The public will be able to tour the displays to gather information and to learn more about the state of Washington.

Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the Washington-Jalisco Sister-State Association will coordinate the exhibit. A seminar on tourism will feature products, services and information materials for tour operators, travel agents and news media in Guadalajara to discuss Washington as a tourist destination.

To date, more than 100 individuals have registered for the five-day mission, set for

Aug. 16 — 20. Organizations represented include agriculture, education, energy, environmental technology, financial services, health care, software, computer equipment, telecommunications, transportation, culture and government.

The governor's international mission is expected to build on the successes of his previous missions to China, Taiwan, and Japan and Hong Kong. One King County business sold more than $1 million in medical equipment products following the Taiwan mission. Swedish Hospital initiated a partnership with the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-sen Cancer Research Center. Washington State University forged a partnership with the Kaoshiung Hospitality Management College. As a result of the governor's previous trips, two Taiwanese delegations attended the international BIO '99 conference in Seattle in May.

For more information on the governor's international trade mission to Mexico, visit the governor's new home page at http://www.governor.wa.gov/mexico/index.htm.

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