Courtesy of the New Mexico Economic Development Department

SANTA FE – Today Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela signed a memorandum of understanding in Juarez, Chihuahua with the Secretary of Economy for the state of Chihuahua, Alberto Chretín, and Jerry Pacheco, executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a division of the New Mexico Small Business Development Center, directed at working mutually together to create international trade opportunities for their associates and constituents.

The MOU states:

  • All entities will serve as a resource of information for each other’s staff and constituents. The entities will discuss and share information on opportunities that hold the greatest promise of success for each other;
  • All entities will provide information to each other on potential trade leads and joint venture opportunities;
  • All entities will commit to sharing information on each other’s respective markets in order to foster cross-border opportunities;
  • Each entity will include the other on its mailing lists and invitation lists to trade and cross-border related events;
  • Whenever possible, each entity will promote the other’s programs and capabilities to potential clients and constituents;
  • All entities will work together to help promote the economic development goals of the region.  They will work together to facilitate the cooperation of our respective state and local governments’ economic development efforts, wherever practical.

New Mexico’s partnership with the state of Chihuahua has been an integral part of the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s strategy for creating jobs in the Border Region and throughout the state. Under Governor Martinez’s Administration, New Mexico imports to Mexico increased 68 percent. According to official U.S. Department of Commerce estimates, it is calculated that for every $1 billion in exports up to 6,250 jobs are created or supported.