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Governor Quinn Announces Agreements to Strengthen Partnership, Investment Between Illinois and Mexico


Partnerships Reflect Joint Commitment to Boost Water Infrastructure, Agriculture and Trade

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–April 8, 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn today followed up his international trade mission to Mexico by announcing major steps to build upon Illinois’ role as a leading competitor in the global marketplace. Today’s announcement comes as part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive the Illinois economy forward. Governor Quinn directed several economic agreements that will help pave the way for increased trade and innovation between Illinois and Mexico, a priority for the governor and a goal of the trade mission.

The governor made today’s announcement while visiting Cristina Foods Inc.’s distribution facility. A Hispanic-owned company, Cristina Foods is a national model for incorporating sustainability into business practices. Their state-of-the-art distribution facility is the only LEED Certified-Platinum building of its kind in the United States.

“Mexico plays an important role in our economy as Illinois’ second largest export market,” Governor Quinn said. “These agreements between Illinois and Mexico build upon our shared effort to expand our economies and boost innovation.”

The agreements include one reached between In-Pipe Technology Company of Wood Dale and the Mexico City water authority to do a wastewater treatment pilot project in the city with In-Pipe technology. A successful pilot could lead to a contract for millions of dollars in Illinois exports. There are currently more than 100 water technology companies in Illinois, and these firms are positioned to offer expertise on a global scale and sell their products and services abroad.

Another agreement is a sister lake partnership between the state of Illinois and the Mexican state of Michoacán. Under the agreement, the regions will work together to share policies and ideas to maintain and conserve Lake Michigan and Lake Pátzcuaro. They will also promote eco-friendly tourism and environmental research in areas of mutual interest.

The Illinois Soybean Association and the National Association of Manufacturers of Edible Oils and Fats signed an agreement during the trade mission to encourage the development and improvement of soybean meal products made for human and animal consumption. This agreement will also pave the way for soybean financial instrument training workshops.

Governor Quinn also encouraged a separate agreement between the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the State of Mexico Industrialists Association (AIEM) to promote trade missions, trade shows and international events organized by each partner. The agreement links the two groups’ members through direct business communication.

During the April 3 – 6 trade mission, Governor Quinn held meetings with key private sector leaders, top government officials and potential trading partners to open up more markets to Illinois companies. These included the Mayor of Mexico City Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinosa, Mexico State Governor Eruviel Avila Villegas, federal Secretary of the Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Undersecretary for International Affairs Raul Urteaga, AIEM President Rodrigo Carmona Minon, Mayor of the Huixquilucan Municipality Carlos Iriarte Mercado, Mayor of Patzcuaro Salma Karrum Cervantes, Mayor of Erongarícuro Everardo J. Alberto Corté and other Mexican government and business leaders.

Governor Quinn is the first Illinois governor to visit Mexico in 13 years and only the fourth U.S. governor to visit Mexico since 2005. There are now 1.6 million persons in Illinois of Mexican origin, about one in eight Illinoisans. Mexico and Illinois have had a Sister-State relationship since 1990.

More information about Illinois’ trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website at www.illinoisbiz.biz.

Source: illinois.gov

 


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