Former Mexican President Vicente Fox spent time in the Wichita area this week to promote trade between Kansas and Mexico.
He visited companies and met with business and government leaders about trade opportunities.
This was the first time Former President Fox has visited the Wichita area.
He spent time at major industries including Learjet, Cargill, JR Custom Metals and the Siemens’ Wind Energy plant in Hutchinson.
Dale Goter of Kansas Global Trade Services says the former president came with a message: Mexico is ready for more and new business.
"He was the chief architect of opening up the energy market in Mexico which has been controlled by the government for decades and has recently been opened up for private investment," Goter says. "So he sees a lot of opportunities."
Goter says former President Fox also visited Koch Industries and RedGuard.
The former president joined Gov. Brownback, Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell and other commerce leaders for a panel discussion on trade opportunities. About 75 business and industry leaders attended the trade panel discussion at the National Center for Aviation Training Wednesday evening.
One outcome of the visit: Goter says the state and city made a commitment for a trade mission to Mexico early next year. The former president was impressed with the National Center for Aviation Training, and is interested in possibly developing a similar workplace training site in Mexico.
JR Custom Metals and Kansas Global Trade Services coordinated Fox’ visit to the Wichita area.
--
Follow Deborah Shaar on Twitter @deborahshaar.
To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
