TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Gov. Janet Napolitano says she remains confident Arizona can remain a key player in international trade despite cuts in the state budget.

Napolitano told about 2,000 business leaders and government officials Monday in Tucson that budget cuts affected trade missions last year but Arizona's international business ties are strong.

Napolitano said protecting educational institutions from budget cuts will eventually lead to a healthy education system and a strong work force for international businesses in Arizona.

The governor also said the state should be focusing its trade missions on new markets beginning with South America and then expanding to Europe and Asia.

Napolitano said that last year exports to Taiwan increased 50 percent, and exports to Germany increased 34 percent.

Mexico continues to be Arizona's biggest export market.

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Information from: Tucson Citizen, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com

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