Mexico trade mission strengthens trade opportunities for Idaho businesses
 In November, I completed a productive five-day trade mission to Mexico.
Joining me on my third official in-person trade mission as Idaho's 33rd Governor were representatives from the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and 20 Idaho businesses and organizations.
In 2022, Mexico ranked as the sixth largest export destination overall for Idaho and the second largest export destination for Idaho food and agriculture products. Total exports to Mexico exceeded $202 million last year.
Throughout the trade mission, we forged valuable connections, reinforcing Idaho's longstanding trade partnership with Mexico. These interactions not only solidified the state's economic ties but also paved the way for fresh opportunities in trade and investment, contributing to the ongoing enhancement of Idaho's economy.
Mission highlights in Mexico:
- Governor Little met with Roberto Velasco Alvarez, Chief Officer for North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Idaho and Mexico.
- At the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CYMMIT), an international non-profit research and training center, Governor Little connected the organization with the University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and various Idaho commodity groups to begin discussions about research collaboration in wheat breeding, sustainability, and bean seed development.
- Governor Little promoted an Idaho manufacturer of soil stabilization, dust control, and water treatment solutions to Grupo Mexico, a conglomerate that operates in mining, transportation, and infrastructure.
- Governor Little and delegation members met with Walmart de Mexico y Centroamerica to promote Idaho potatoes, onions, cheese, health and body products, and cold chain monitoring technology to Mexico’s largest retailer with more than 2,800 retail outlets in the country.
- At the Central de Abastos, the world’s largest wholesale market, Governor Little and delegation members visited with key importers of Idaho potatoes and Idaho-eastern Oregon onions to further expand sales opportunities for Idaho suppliers.
- Governor Little promoted Idaho malt to Constellation Brands Mexico, the producers of more than 400 million cases of beer annually in Mexico.
Click the button below to learn more and hear from trade mission participants on their experience!
READ: Idaho is well-prepared for uncertain economic future
Idaho is positioned better than any other state to withstand a downturn in the economy! With our structurally balanced budget, ample reserves, and historic investments into critical areas, Idaho will be strong for generations!
Idaho’s top two statewide elected officials said Wednesday that the state is well-positioned to ride out economic uncertainty created by the collision of inflation and high interest rates with rapid growth officials are still taking stock of.
Gov. Brad Little and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke were among the speakers during the 77th annual Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference Wednesday in downtown Boise.
Speaking to a politically savvy, influential audience, Little and Bedke highlighted the Idaho Legislature’s efforts to cut property taxes, reduce income taxes, bolster the state’s rainy day savings accounts and spend down a record state surplus through investments in public education, state parks, roads and infrastructure projects.
“We have in recent years offered more tax relief per capita than any other state,” Little said.
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Idaho high school seniors: Get up to $8,000 for in-demand career training with Idaho LAUNCH
Applications for Idaho LAUNCH grants are still open!
Idaho LAUNCH grants offer eligible Idaho high school seniors up to $8,000 for education and training after high school.
APPLY TODAY at nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch!
Welding, H-VAC trained workers, construction, agriculture, and healthcare are some of the areas where the number of jobs available outweigh the workers. Many of those are jobs that require updated skills to keep up with technology.
Governor Brad Little says, “Twin Falls is one of the communities that I go there and kinda’ have round tables with businesses and ask them what’s working and what’s not working and almost continually I get we just don’t have enough skilled workforce.”
State officials believe LAUNCH is a program that will benefit the state in the long run. Many of the jobs are essential to the lives of Idahoans.
If you don’t work in them, you most likely benefit from them.
“I think it’s going to make everyone’s life in Idaho better. We all will use healthcare some of us at an advanced age more than others and it’s incredibly important that we have more healthcare workers and it’s really going to advance the state going forward,” said Governor Little.
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PHOTO: Idaho Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting
 Thank you to everyone who helped make the Idaho State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony a success this year!
Specifically, I want to thank the volunteers and state employees who dedicated their time to the event. I also want to thank our sponsors Cumulus Media, Walmart & The Bridge.
Happy holiday!
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