April 06, 2002

SAN ANTONIO, Tex.--Premier Gary Doer and Texas Secretary of State Gwyn Shea signed a memorandum of understanding here today on trade, tourism and mutual economic co-operation.

The memorandum provides a framework for Manitoba and Texas to improve their strong and growing trade relationship. The agreement sets out four specific areas in which the two jurisdictions will work together. They are promoting and facilitating bilateral trade, encouraging co-operation in tourism activities, enhancing the Mid-Continent Trade and Transportation Corridor, and co-ordinating activities in international development/co-operation agreements.

"Though separated by many hundreds of miles and national borders, the people of Texas and Manitoba have many similar concerns and interests. This agreement reflects our commitment to work both individually and together in the interests of facilitating trade and economic co-operation," said Doer.

The agreement builds on the relationship that was formed during Doer’s November trip to Texas as part of the Team Canada West trade mission. At that time, he met with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and witnessed the signing of a letter of intent to enter into a memorandum of understanding on trade, tourism and economic development. During that trade mission, a number of Manitoba-Texas business and government contacts were made and strengthened.

"I am excited to represent Texas in further cementing our relationship with Manitoba. This memorandum helps fulfill the promise of NAFTA and stands as a symbol of the friendship between this great state and great province. It represents tremendous opportunities in trade and tourism for the people of Manitoba and the people of Texas," said Shea. Manitoba-Texas trade activity, which approached $480 million US ($700 million Cdn) in 2000, has increased by almost 80 per cent over the past five years.

"We have identified several key sectors in which we will concentrate our efforts in identifying strategic partnerships and alliances between Texas's and Manitoba's businesses. These include important industries such as agribusiness, aerospace, component manufacturing, film, energy, biotechnology and information technologies, reflecting the vibrant and diversified economies in Texas and Manitoba," Doer said.

The agreement sets out plans to undertake joint trade promotions, co-operate in tourism travel packages that promote each region, co-ordinate efforts in providing supports to foreign states eager to initiate government and economic reforms, and improve the transportation infrastructure along the Mid-Continent Trade and Transportation Corridor, which connects the direct line between Manitoba and Texas.

San Antonio Mayor Edward D. Garza expressed pleasure that this agreement was signed in San Antonio, which was the official site in 1992 of the signing of NAFTA. Garza stated, "I invite our neighbours from the Province of Manitoba and all our Canadian friends to develop permanent business relationships with Texas, in particular, San Antonio and South Texas."

In addition to formalizing Manitoba-Texas trade relationships, Doer and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray have met with business leaders at events hosted by Garza and the Free Trade Alliance of San Antonio.

Through organizations such as the North American Superhighway Coalition (NASCO), that Doer and Murray met with earlier today, Texas and Manitoba will work towards reducing regulatory barriers to the free and open trade between the regions. They will also advance plans to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation systems along the corridor, through the use of advanced information technologies and harmonized safety regulations.

Doer and Murray also visited Laredo, the U.S. and the Mid-Continent Trade Corridor's largest border crossing with Mexico, through which a large percentage of Manitoba's exports to Mexico are transported along with those of the rest of Canada and the United States.

"The partnership between the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba in promoting the Mid-Continent Trade and Transportation Corridor is important given that the corridor is key to strengthening north-south trade opportunities," Murray said.

This is the second agreement signed between the State of Texas and a province of Canada. A memorandum of understanding was signed on Nov. 28, 2001, between Texas and Saskatchewan. As a followup to these agreements, Texas Economic Development will lead the state's first ever trade mission to Manitoba and Saskatchewan from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. The mission will focus on the business sectors of agri-food products, biotechnology, building products, energy and wireless/nano technologies.

In Texas with Doer and Murray are Larry McIntosh, past chair of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce; David Angus, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce; and Ross Arnold, vice-president of Arnold Brothers Transportation. Also in attendance were Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey S. Connor, Canadian Consul General in Texas Allan Poole, Texas Economic Development Executive Director Jeff Moseley; Deputy Executive Director Trace McDaniel; and economic development and prominent business leaders from San Antonio and Central Texas.

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