Did you know that Mexico is California's largest trading partner and was the state's leading market for exports in 2004?

California exports to Mexico were estimated to be $17.2 billion in 2004.

U.S. MEXICO TRADE

New Business Forum in Mexico City Will Boost Mexico-California Trade

Jaime Bonilla and Andrés Manuel López Obrador holding "Declaration of Brotherhood" between Mexico and California.

In a 2005 summer trip to Mexico City, the Lieutenant Governor of California, Cruz Bustamante was accompanied by Jaime Bonilla as his guest of honor. Working together with an interested group of Mexican politicians, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders, the two helped to strengthen economic and cultural relations between Mexico and California.

Efforts to enhance the already strong cross-cultural ties can be a boon for both business and job creation in California. Together, Lieutenant Governor Bustamante and Mr. Bonilla made important progress in strengthening ties with Mexico during their successful tour.

The Mexico visit included productive meetings with Mexico's top leaders including the former Mayor of Mexico City, Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Governor Enrique Martínez of Coahuila. Both men are expected to run for President of Mexico in the upcoming election.

Standing in the entryway to the Mexican Hall of Congress are Jose Basáñez, Cruz Bustamante, Alberto Aguilar Iñarritu, Jaime Bonilla and Senator Raymundo Cádenas (PRD).

During the visit, Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante signed an agreement to establish a public-private partnership to promote trade between Mexico and California. The partnership, known as the California-Mexico Business Forum in Mexico City, is financed and staffed by a non-profit, 501(c)3 entity, Regiones A.C. Fundacion de Desarrollo. The organization is dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable economic development and social progress.

The Business Forum will facilitate and promote international trade and development with California by providing services that were lost in 2003 when the state closed its 12 foreign trade offices in response to budget cuts.

Alfonso Pandal Graff, Jaime Bonilla, Cruz Bustamante, Patricia Zapata (President of the Fundacion de Desarrollo) and Alberto Aguilar Iñarritu during a celebration of the new Business Forum.

Many significant arts and culturally celebrities as well as business investors attended the signing of the agreement and surrounding activities. Among the guest standouts was artist Antonio Navalón, entrepreneur Alfonso Panda Graff, and radio personality Javier Sánchez Campuzano.

As a gesture to highlight the importance of the event, Cruz and Bonilla were introduced to the Mexico National Congress during a key vote on the voting status of Mexican citizens who reside outside of Mexico.

The Business Forum will help business people in both California and Mexico to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. According to Lieutenant Governor Bustamante, "Business people in Mexico are eager to re-establish operations dedicated to increasing trade with California, and they are willing to pay for it."

The California-Mexico Business Forum will provide a range of services to assist business people in California and the host country. The services include:

• Developing a referral system that will enable public and private entities in California and abroad to exchange information on trade, commerce and economic development opportunities

• Assisting Mexican firms in facilitating business contacts and joint ventures in California

• Developing a directory of trade-related California governmental agencies, organizations and businesses for distribution to Mexican companies seeking to do business in California

• Making recommendations to the California Commission for Economic Development with regard to state initiatives to increase and promote bilateral trade with Mexico

• Assisting delegations from California in the promotion of California goods and services at Mexican trade shows and similar venues