Mexican consul hopeful about Fox Utah trip

Incoming Salt Lake City Mexican Consul Salvador Jimenez hopes to strengthen Utah's ties to Mexico and sees President Vicente Fox's plans to visit Utah next year as a sign of positive things to come — for both Utah and his country.

Jimenez, who will start by Jan. 15, said the potential visit is evidence that he'll oversee a region of growing importance to Mexico — Utah, Idaho, Montana, and western Wyoming.

A presidential visit is "the main way to show you our interest," Jimenez said. "(Fox) is well aware of the importance of Utah, the importance of the Mexican community."

While Fox's visit has yet to be confirmed, it would be the first ever to Utah by a president of Mexico, according to Edgar Gomez of the state's International Business Development Office.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said the visit would "help open up new economic opportunities between Mexico and Utah's businesses and its people."

Joe Reyna, chairman-elect of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said it's telling that Fox plans to bring a business delegation with him to Utah, and that Jimenez, a high-ranking diplomat, will serve as consul.

"It will hopefully open the doors to more possibility of commerce," said Reyna, noting that compared to some surrounding states the value of Utah's exports to Mexico is "very low. He would like to see that number increase."

Jimenez has 30 years experience in the Mexican Foreign Service. He is currently deputy consul general of Mexico in Los Angeles, the world's largest Mexican consulate.

"It makes me very, very happy," Jimenez said of his appointment, announced last week. "I confess I am very humbled. I will make my best effort to do a good job."

Jimenez sees the potential for stronger ties between the region he'll soon oversee and Mexico — economically, culturally and educationally. He also sees the importance of the region's growing Latino population.

In Utah alone, the Mexican population has boomed since 1990, when 56,842 people of Mexican origin lived in the state, according to the U.S. Census. According to the latest population estimates, that number has grown to 171,369.

Jimenez praised the Salt Lake consulate staff, adding "we want a stronger and better presence."

Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. said Fox's visit would have the potential to "bring about a better understanding" on issue from trade to immigration.