We published this guide to promote ethnic tourism to New Jersey, increase the number of minority businesses engaged in tourism, and showcase our ethnic treasures. While we are promoting tourism here at home, I've gone to Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile to promote trade. With me in Argentina and Chile was Chamber President Daniel Jara. Our trade relationship with Latin America has never been stronger. We now have a trade office in Mexico, and one will open soon in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Opportunity is what draws and keeps people in our state.
We want to make sure opportunity exists for everyone. That's why we are looking closely at our current system of set-asides for minorities and women. This issue hasn't fared well in courts around the country, nor have set-asides achieved all the goals anticipated. Nevertheless, I believe strongly that a diverse economy should be among our top priorities, and we will continue to defend New Jersey's affirmative action programs in court. That is why I signed an executive order creating a commission to conduct a new disparity study that will provide a constitutionally required basis for set-asides.