MEXICO CITY (AP)--Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed an agreement to share forestry know-how with the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, during a trade mission on March 7.

Located on the border with Guatemala, Chiapas supports North America's last large pocket of tropical rain forest and holds a major source of water for a parched nation. Wisconsin also is a water-rich area and its forests help make the state the largest producer of paper in the U.S., Doyle said.

"The agreement we just signed is another step of showing how, through the environment, we can forge commercial ties as well as environmental ties," said Doyle, after meeting with officials at Mexico's Environment Department.

The letter of intent between Wisconsin and Chiapas states provided for technological exchanges in sustainable forest management and combatting forest fires.

The Democratic governor was scheduled to meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox on March 7, as he led a delegation of 28 Wisconsin businesses on the trip designed to stimulate trade with the state's second-largest export market.

"The purpose of our mission is a trade mission, and so we really will continue to explore with President Fox how Wisconsin and Mexico can enjoy more trade," Doyle said.

The governor pointed to potential for cooperation with Mexico on natural resources matters beyond forestry.

"Wisconsin does a lot of work with water resources, and I know this is really an emerging area for Mexico," Doyle said. A Wisconsin water-meter company was among the businesses enrolled in the trade mission.

Mexican Environment Secretary Alberto Cardenas praised a rare international agreement between states that aren't located along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Wisconsin shows us again that over time, with direction, forest policy can be successful," Cardenas said.

Fox visited Wisconsin during a 2001 trip to the U.S. and once studied English at a Jesuit high school in Prairie du Chien.

"We like to think of President Fox as a Wisconsin Badger," said Doyle, in a reference to the state animal and sports mascot.

Doyle said he expected Fox to raise concerns about the welfare of Mexican migrants in Wisconsin.

The governor said he planned to visit a distributor for Harley-Davidson in Mexico City on March 8, noting that the Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker may serve as a model for other businesses aspiring to enter the Mexican market.

Doyle also said it was important to bolster agricultural ties with Mexico.

"Mexico is a large importer of Wisconsin dairy heifers so we want to make sure that market remains open and strong," Doyle said.

Date: 3/24/05