
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 2, 1995                   TAG: 9505020142
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ROANOKE                                LENGTH: Short

VA. OFFICIAL SEES PROFITS IN MEXICO

The state's promoter of trade with Mexico urged Virginia business representatives Monday to go south of the border now to make deals while others are scared off by the monetary crisis.

``I wouldn't fund any deals now, but now is the time to be down there,'' said Charles Jumet, North American Free Trade Agreement director with the Virginia Department of Economic Development.

``When times are tough and many are cutting and running, it's good to see someone down there who believes in you,'' he said. ``A little bit of good will goes a long way.''

Virginia shipped about $120 million worth of goods to Mexico in 1993, the last year for which figures are available. Jumet said the trade steadily has increased since then.

Linda Ford of the Virginia Port Authority said Lykes Lines Inc. has more than tripled the tonnage shipped from Hampton Roads to Veracruz since 1992. Virginia is the only mid-Atlantic state that offers direct cargo shipping to Veracruz, she said.

``That's Virginia's niche, the waterborne service,'' Jumet said at a conference sponsored by Virginia Tech. Seventy-five representatives of Virginia businesses and about 25 representatives from eight Latin American countries are attending the three-day Global Opportunities Conference at the Hotel Roanoke.

by CNB