Small Businesses Dominate Business Development Mission to Mexico

The business delegation (list attached) will explore and expand export opportunities in Mexico's information technology, telecommunications, energy, environmental, medical and manufacturing sectors.

"Small companies employ half of all Americans and represent 97 percent of all U.S. exporters," said Evans. "I am pleased so many small businesses will be joining me, as I take an all-star contingent of American companies to Mexico. The new trade opportunities we hope will result will be good for American workers and good for our economy," he said.

Participants will develop contacts within the Mexican government and meet with potential business partners. For some participating businesses, this trip will open the door to Mexico as a market for the first time. For others who already conduct business in Mexico, the mission will offer opportunities to expand agreements with existing Mexican partners and cultivate new ones.

The mission will further the commitment made by President George W. Bush and Mexico President Vicente Fox to increase two-way trade, foster economic growth and develop and improve living standards in both countries by creating higher wages and more jobs. In addition, the mission will reaffirm the Bush Administration's support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that since 1994 has created millions of jobs in both countries.

U.S. exports to Mexico totaled $102 billion in 2001, with substantial sales in virtually every product sector. Mexico is the second-largest export market for the United States, after Canada.

On the trip, Evans will also highlight corporate citizenship and active involvement by U.S. businesses in the communities where they operate in the United States and abroad.

For more information on the business development mission, visit the Commerce Department website at http://www.doc.gov/mexicotrademission.

Advanced Environmental Systems, Inc., Elkton, MD
Mr. David A. O'Connor, PresidentMr. David A. O'Connor, President

Balboa Energy Technologies, Inc., Perth Amboy, NJ
Mr. Jose F. Nino, President

Borland Software Corporation, Scotts Valley, CA
Mr. Keith Gottfried
Senior Vice President, Law and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Damon S. Williams Associates, L.L.C., Phoenix, AZ
Mr. Damon S. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer

Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN
Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo, President, Intercontinential Operations

EnviroSystems, Inc., San Jose, CA
Ms. Diana Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer/President

International Mobile Communications, Inc., Silver Spring, MD
Mr. S. Blake Swensrud
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Kansas City Southern, Kansas City, MO
Mr. Michael R. Haverty
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

PanAmSat Corporation, Nitton, CT
Mr. Joseph R. Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer

Protec, Inc., Miami, FL
Mr. Alfredo Sotolongo, President

Reade Advanced Materials, Providence, RI
Mr. Charles Reade, President

Transit Sales International, Riverside, CA
Mr. Dean William Carson, President

Walbridge Aldinger Company, Detroit, MI
Mr. John Rakolta, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer