The undersecretary of promotion and economic development for Southern Sonora, Mexico told of improved economic means and prospects for the region Thursday in a speech on the UA campus.

Francisco Obregon, undersecretary of Southern Sonora, University of Arizona College of Agriculture graduate and 1995 Alumni of the Year, spoke to about 50 people in the Marley Building about the Mexican region.

"Sonora now sells a number of vegetables € olives, tobacco, etc. € to the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Japanese market," Obregon said.

Having struggled with a population increase, the fight against drugs and the majority of children out of school, Sonora is trying to increase its productivity level to increase its economic means, Obregon said.

Statistics in 1995 show that Sonora's population was up to 2 million, and approximately 66 percent are under the age of 30.

"However, due to the mining industry, tourism, and technical assistance, Sonora was able to achieve an income of $75 million," Obregon said. "With such an increase of demand, we are able to produce more jobs for the citizens of Sonora."

Sonora's main products are vegetables, meat, pasta, maguilador and tobacco.

"It is funny to see Wal-Mart in Hermosilla buying Italian pasta that was grown in Sonora," Obregon said.

Obregon said Sonora's products will soon meet all U.S. health and hygiene standards.

Obregon also said he would like to see Sonora and Arizona become one.

"We are neighbors; let's compete together as one region," Obregon said. "We should remove the border between Sonora and Arizona, and just have it for California and Texas."

Sonora has not only increased its productivity level, but attracted tourists in what Obregon called the "magic triangle."

"What place could you find mountains, oceans and a desert? To the left we have the ocean, above we have the United States, and to the right we have the Sierra Madre," Obregon said. "The reason we call it the magic triangle is because many countries would love to be next to the U.S."

Obregon's lecture was sponsored by Extended University Summer Session office.