The state ought to be establishing its presence in Asia. It has to show the face of New Mexico, a high-tech state that has the means to export more. It has signed over 300 Technical Assistance Agreements, a third of them with New Mexican companies, whereby lab staff consult companies developing high-tech products. Herrera says New Mexico will be in the right place at the right time if it opens trade offices in Asia. The Taiwanese ambassador has offered to give New Mexico a Taipei office rent free for a year.
Japan offers premises and equipment for trade promotion free of charge.
Ultimately, says Herrera, there must be more collaborative efforts between industry and government. As far as Mark Lautman is concerned, Rio Rancho has no choice but to keep pursuing trade with Asia and contracts with Asian companies. Growth projected to make Rio Rancho the state's third largest city by 2002 will only occur if the city continues to tap Asia's markets. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without written authorization from the New Mexico Business Journal.