(May 30, 2006) The California Chamber of Commerce hosted His Excellency Vicente Fox, President of Mexico, at an international trade breakfast on Friday to discuss trade and expanding the economic relationship between California and Mexico.

The more than 100 guests who greeted President Fox included a delegation of officials from Mexico, representatives of California’s state government and business people from California and Mexico, including representatives of agriculture, the service industry and manufacturing.

“As you know, California and Mexico are neighbors,” said California Chamber President Allan Zaremberg. “We share a common border, history and are heavily dependent on each other for trade and economic growth. In 1999, Mexico replaced Japan as the number one destination for California exports. The California Chamber of Commerce is a longtime supporter of NAFTA based on the assessment that it serves the employment, trading and environmental interests of California, the United States, Canada and Mexico.”

President Fox discussed the successes of his administration since being elected in July 2000 in a historic race. He commented that Mexico has a balanced budget this year, its overall economy is improving and jobs are increasing.

California Chamber President Allan Zaremberg presents President of Mexico Vicente Fox with a remembrance from his trip. Photo by Steve Snyder

“Now our economy has two motors - local consumption and our trading with the rest of the world,” said President Fox. “This year our economy started very strong, five and a half percent growth in the first quarter, 350,000 new jobs. This year very possibly we will end up creating one million new jobs throughout the year. It has been a long time since we have been able to generate a million new jobs.”

The biggest challenge Mexico faces, President Fox said, is the need to expedite the speed at which it educates its workers because there is a deficit of 100,000 jobs along the border between the United States and Mexico. "We have the demand for jobs. We just have to work harder to meet the requirements for those jobs."

Mexico continues to be California’s top export market. California exports to Mexico increased in 2005 to top $17 billion. Mexico purchases nearly 16 percent of all California exports. California exports to Mexico are driven by computer and electronic products, which account for 34 percent of all California exports to Mexico. Key exports to Mexico showing growth in 2005 include transportation equipment, processed foods, and chemicals. California exports to Mexico directly and indirectly support approximately 177,000 California jobs, with more than half of these jobs resulting from export growth under NAFTA.

President Fox’s Career
President Fox’s varied career has included years of experience in both business and politics. He began working for Coca-Cola in 1964, starting as a delivery route supervisor and ending up as the president of the company for Mexico and Latin America, the youngest person in the company to occupy the position.

He entered politics in the 1980s and in 1995 was elected governor of his home state of Guanajuato. During his administration, the state became the fifth largest economy in Mexico. He has served as a board member of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the Grupo Fox, whose companies are involved in agribusiness and manufacturing footwear and cowboy boots for export, providing many employment opportunities.

The international trade breakfast was co-sponsored by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling