Utah Governor Gary Herbert this week led the first ever trade delegation from the “Beehive State” to Guadalajara.
Accompanied by his wife Janet, Herbert was received at Instituto Cabañas by Economic Development Minister Jose Palacios and U.S. Consul General in Guadalajara Susan Abeyta.
The Herberts were first given a short tour of Orozco’s famed murals, followed by a reception in the Patio de Las Artes Populares, during which the governor pointed out that trade between Mexico and the United States has now reached 1.5 billion dollars a day.
Herbert said Utah’s Mexican population had increased 90 percent over the last ten years and that most of these people had come from Jalisco.“We have a lot in common,” said Herbert. “For both of our states, family comes first. It’s not just about business … it’s about people.”
After the reception, Guadalajara Reporter columnist John Pint presented the governor with a copy of his book “Outdoors in Western Mexico.”
Herbert pointed out that Utah has more national parks within its boundaries than any other state in the United States.
Pint said Jalisco has no national parks but may possess even more “park potential” than Utah.
“Utah is roughly the size of Western Mexico,” explained Pint. “Utah has gorgeous sandstone formations and spectacular canyons and so does Western Mexico. But in addition to those wonders, we also have vast pine forests, live volcanoes, tropical jungles, hot springs and magnificent ocean beaches. The geo and biodiversity of what I call ‘the Magic Circle” – where all five of Mexico’s ecosystems converge and mingle – is staggering.”
Personnel from the U.S. Consulate speculated that Utah’s experts in national park management might help Jalisco authorities develop some of the state’s natural resources – such as the Santiago River Canyon – into an ecologically sensitive attractions.
Herbert’s visit was brief – one day – and he returned to Utah on Thursday, April 10.