Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Greater Houston Partnership, and Houston First Corp. led an economic development trip to Mexico last month as part of an aggressive strategy to reinforce Houston’s position as the top city for global trade and business. This was Houston’s first international investment and trade mission since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mexico is Houston’s second largest international trade partner with average trade totaling $22.2 billion annually over the last decade. The region is also home to a thriving community of more than 590,000 Houstonians who were born in Mexico.

During the weeklong visit to Monterrey and Mexico City, a delegation of business and civic leaders undertook several high-level governmental and business development meetings. Discussions largely centered around trade and business priorities between Mexico and Houston, particularly on future opportunities in manufacturing, aerospace and aviation, life sciences, and innovation.  

The delegation met with a number of officials in Mexico, including: 

• Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepúlveda, Governor, State of Nuevo León, Mexico
• Mayor Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, City of Monterrey
• Tatiana Clouthier, Minister of Economy, Mexico
• Roberto Velasco, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mexico 
• Miguel Torruco, Secretary of Tourism, Mexico 
• Francisco Cervantes Diaz, President, Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (CCE)
• Martha Herrera Gonzalez, Secretary of Equality and Inclusion, State of Nuevo León

“Houston consistently ranks among the top markets for international companies looking to establish or strengthen ties in the U.S.," Mayor Turner said. "With an active port, a talented and diverse workforce, and continued development in sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, and technology, the City is a hub for innovation and development. We look forward to strengthening our ties with Mexico and emphasizing Houston’s global position as a prime location for business and enterprise." 

In addition to Mayor Turner, members of the regional business delegation included:

• Susan Davenport, Senior Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer, Greater Houston Partnership 
• John Cypher, Vice President, International Investment and Trade, Greater Houston Partnership
• Michael Heckman, President and CEO, Houston First
• David Robinson, Council Member, City of Houston 
• Andy Icken, Chief Development Officer, City of Houston
• Mario Diaz, Director, Houston Airport System Director
• Charles Foster, Chairman, Foster LLP
• Deanea LeFlore, Senior Director of Partnerships, The Ion
• Karlo Morgado, Senior Vice President, International Banking Manager, Amegy Bank
• Zaida Saliba, Senior Vice President, International Banking Relationship Manager, Amegy Bank
• Hong Ogle, President, Bank of America Houston/Division Executive, Bank of America Private Bank 
• Pierre Puget, Deputy Head/Proviseur, The AWTY International School
• Jason Stevens, President & CEO, Mitsubishi International Corporation and Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).
• Tangela Bond, Project Manager and Business Development, The KBC Houston

International business plays a large role in Houston business, with more than 17% of the region’s economy tied to exports alone. Learn more about Houston’s global business ties during the Partnership’s International Business Month in May, including the State of Houston’s Global Economy on May 20.