NM Governor heads trade mission to Taiwan

TAIWAN – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is leading a business and trade mission to
Taiwan as part of her participation in U.S. Business Day.

During the working tour, the governor met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, Minister of
Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua, and manufacturing companies interested in locating in the
state.

Lujan Grisham will speak on September 19 at the U.S. Business Day in Taipei, the premier
business and economic development event in Taiwan.

The delegation will also make presentations on New Mexico’s business climate, workforce and
the logistical advantages of its international border zone at an investment forum with
companies interested in expanding their operations to the United States.

According to the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD), the Governor has
identified global trade as a target industry in New Mexico to drive economic diversification and
create more employment opportunities along the state’s international border with Mexico.

In 2022, the State of New Mexico and Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs signed a
memorandum of understanding to promote closer trade relations between the parties.

Since 2019, EDD has opened a foreign trade office in Taipei and several Asian companies have
chosen to expand to New Mexico because of its logistical proximity to North American
customers and excellent transportation infrastructure, providing a more robust and resilient
supply chain.

In August, Singapore-based Maxeon Technologies announced that it would locate its only U.S.
solar panel manufacturing plant in Albuquerque. Taiwan-based Admiral Cable and label printing
company Cymmetrik have relocated to Santa Teresa in recent years.

The Governor pledged $30 million in state funds to improve infrastructure along the New
Mexico side of the international border, and is advocating for additional funds from the federal
government for improvements at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, where commercial crossings
continue to increase. The state has also committed to pay for a new border highway widening
to reduce commute times for those working in Santa Teresa.

Joining the Governor are Chief of Staff Daniel Schlegel, Communications Director Maddy
Hayden, Senior Advisor for Global Trade and Infrastructure Joseph De La Rosa, former
Department of Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes, New Mexico Partnership
President Melinda Allen, and Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance President and CEO
Davin Lopez.