New Mexico 2012 exports to Mexico rise 50 percent

LAS CRUCES - New Mexico merchandise exports to Mexico are at an all-time high coming in at about $618 million, 50 percent higher than 2011 exports which stood at $464 million, according to numbers released by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.

"We have been proactively working with one of our most natural trade partners," said Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela. "In addition to focusing on building infrastructure at our Borderplex and enacting policies like the Six Mile Overweight Cargo Zone to help exporters on this side of the border, we have also been active in organizing trade missions to Mexico."

Secretary Barela also meets monthly with his Chihuahua, Mexico counterpart. Chihuahua is New Mexico's neighbor to the south and the two states signed an MOU last year agreeing to promote trade and commerce between the two states.

"I am proud of what's taken place among our International Trade numbers around the world going from 38th to 2nd nationally in two years in terms of percentage growth and especially happy with the numbers with our neighbor Mexico that were just released," Barela said . "We have forged partnerships with key people in Mexico and worked to match New Mexico companies with markets in Mexico."

These numbers came in the just after it was announced that New Mexico's commercial truck crossings at the Santa Teresa and Columbus Ports of Entry were also up at all-time highs with 11 and 18 percent increases in traffic respectively.

The growth in exports are reflected in the increase of merchandise in agriculture, fabricated metal products, machinery and computer and electronic products going to Mexico. To view the entire OIT report on New Mexico's export growth, visit http://tse.export.gov/TSE/ChartDisplay.aspx

Article By: Sun-News Report