Contact:

Shawn Shepherd, (505) 277-6264 Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821

February 13, 2002

MEXICAN CONSUL TO SPEAK AT UNM ON STRENGTHENING TIES BETWEEN MEXICO AND NEW MEXICO

The new Consul of Mexico, The Honorable Juan Manuel Solana, will be speak to the Tourism Management Association of the Anderson Schools of Management (ASM) at the University of New Mexico on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m., in Dane Smith Hall, room 225. Solana will talk about his role as Mexican Consul in Albuquerque, the impact of terrorism on U.S./Mexico tourism and trade and barriers to the expansion of tourism and trade. The talk is part of the Anderson Schools of Management Executive Speaker Series.

“The start of international direct flights by Mexico’s Azteca Airlines and the lowering of travel barriers at the border will result in a significant increase in tourism and trade between New Mexico and Mexico,” Solana said. “The new Ski New Mexico promotion in Mexico works well with the planned Azteca’s flights.”

Solana’s background and education is in economics, finance, strategic planning and marketing and feels a relationship with UNM is beneficial.

“I want to have good relations with the University of New Mexico. There is so much that we can do together for economic development, trade, tourism, and increased cultural understanding. I appreciate this opportunity to talk to the students,” Solana said.

Solana has served at the World Bank, InterAmerica Development Bank, Mexican Small Business Administration System, Banco Mexico Somex (as director of planning and development of new products) and is advisor to the president of Pemex in the areas of marketing and policy pricing. He was also a professor of macroeconomics at Universidad de Iberoamericano.

For more information contact Margeri Martinez at 922-1389 or via e-mail at mkmvm2@msn.com. The talk is free and open to the public.

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981