A new deal signed with Mexico hopes to encourage Kiwi clean energy companies to expand sales there.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee signed the cooperation arrangement with Mexico’s Secretary of Energy Georgina Kessels.

The arrangement, in new and renewable energy, formalises cooperative institutional links to encourage renewable energy development, along with promoting good bilateral relations, according to a statement released today.

Swine flu has now killed up to 149 people in Mexico, there are twice as many confirmed cases in the U.S. today as yesterday, and two more countries - Canada and Spain - have reported their first confirmed swine flu cases.

A phase 4 alert indicates a significantly increased risk of a pandemic, a global outbreak of a serious disease.

About one million people died in 1968 during the last such outbreak, the “Hong Kong” flu pandemic.

New Zealand companies should take advantage of Mexico’s free trade agreement with the United States and look at entering the lucrative US market via its neighbour, a visiting trade representative says.

A Mexican delegation is currently touring New Zealand to promote the trade relationship between the two countries.
Promexico chief executive Bruno Ferrari, who is heading the delegation, says Mexico is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner in Latin America but there is still plenty of room for improvement.