Huntsman boosting Utah-Mexico ties

"You've got to start somewhere," Huntsman said. "I say you start broadly and then move toward specifics. If you work just toward specifics, you're never really able to succeed in terms of really crafting a broad-based relationship that's meaningful over time."

The governor plans more traditional trade missions to Mexico in the future to offer "matchmaking" services among Utah companies and Mexican suppliers and customers.

There have been three Utah trade missions south of the border, including two led by former Gov. Mike Leavitt. Two Mexican governors, from Chihuahua and Veracruz, have come to Utah to pursue business opportunities.

The governor's approach on this trip comes from his own diplomatic experience. Huntsman served as the U.S. ambassador to Singapore as well as a trade representative in Asia before making his first run for public office last year.

"We want to get senior policy-makers focused on Utah," he said. The fact that the governor expects to meet with Mexico's foreign minister, secretary for economic affairs and other top administration officials is "very, very good," he said.

"Typically, they wouldn't be thinking in terms of what Utah is up to, or what we're about. They'll walk away with a better understanding of who we are and those sectors in which we're focusing, and indeed performing well in, that might be compatible with some of their own."

While there may not be any business deals made during the trip, Huntsman said he does hope to return to Utah on Thursday with some agreements in place, possibly dealing with education exchanges and efforts to further promote economic development.

He said he'll promote economic sectors such as energy development, travel and tourism and health sciences. Biotechnology is an area where the governor hopes to make business inroads.

Economic development was the cornerstone of Huntsman's campaign, and he is working on delivering. Since his election last November, the governor has undertaken a major restructuring of the state's economic development effort.

After the controversial firing of some 33 appointed state employees involved in economic development and tourism, Huntsman persuaded lawmakers to move what had been the bulk of the Department of Community and Economic Development into his office.

That change only took effect July 1, and Huntsman is still putting together his economic development strategy. He said for now, he is leading international development, although his senior adviser for economic development, Chris Roybal, is looking for someone to fill that slot.