Turner on trade mission: 'We look forward to strengthening our ties with Mexico'

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is in the midst of an economic development mission in Mexico, according to the mayor's office.

Turner is at the forefront of a delegation that includes the Houston First Corporation and the Greater Houston Partnership, a press release said.

The Houston Airport System and United Airlines have also joined the delegation in an effort to tout Houston as a top destination for global trade, tourism, business and leisure travel from south of the border, the release added.

“Houston consistently ranks among the top markets for international companies looking to establish or strengthen ties in the U.S.," Turner said before the contingent departed, per the mayor's office. "With an active port, a talented and diverse workforce and continued development in sectors such as health care, 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.”

The group paid a visit to the Tecnológico de Monterrey campus Wednesday (March 30), according to Turner's official Twitter account. 

"From creating an immersive classroom experience with a hologram professor to bringing virtual reality to help educate future doctors on the inner workings of our body, @TecdeMonterrey is working to change the ways students and educators work to provide quality education for all," the mayor Tweeted.

The Houston contingent first visited Monterrey in the Mexican state of Nuevo León on Monday (March 28). 

Turner tweeted that Monterrey Mayor Luis Colosio, members of the Colosio administration and city officials gave a warm welcome.

"We look forward to further building our relationship," Turner said in a tweet accompanied by pictures from the visit.

Colosio, in return, thanked Turner for stopping by. 

"Thank you for your visit," Colosio tweeted. "Monterrey is your home."

Turner also reported that Houston First CEO Michael Heckman and Nuevo León Gov. Samuel Garcia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further strengthen tourism ties between Texas's largest city and the border state.

The northern tip of Nuevo León touches a part of Texas just northwest of Laredo.

According to the mayor's office, the delegation will stay in Mexico through Friday (April 1). 

The release said that there will be a planned stop to Mexico City.