"NAFTA has been a sort of miracle, if you look at the numbers," said Manuel Rodriguez, Mexico's consul general in Florida. Rodriguez spoke to more than 130 people attending a Kravis Center luncheon sponsored by the World Trade Center Palm Beach.

During the last five years, Mexico's exports have grown an average of 17.5 percent a year, he said. The value of the country's exports stands at $160 billion.

Mexico's economy is now 25 percent bigger, and its gross national product 21 percent higher, than before NAFTA opened the trade doors among Mexico, Canada and the United States, Rodriguez said.

"Our main problem is not unemployment; it's underemployment," Rodriguez said of his country, where 40 million people live at or below the poverty level.

Although he touted NAFTA's benefits, Rodriguez said the accord needs to be strengthened to encourage comprehensive development. Mexico is the U.S.' second-largest export market after Canada, and needs more U.S. investment in its depressed areas, he said.

Rodriguez said the presidential elections of Vicente Fox in Mexico and George W. Bush in the U.S. represents a new stage in the countries' relations, and it's one that is important for Florida. Fox plans to visit the state in September.

"I have worked for the Mexican government for 30 years, and this is the first time I see a Mexican government that's looking to Florida with a strategic view," Rodriguez said. "Our government recognizes the bridge that Florida is."

Florida exports about $2 billion in products -- primarily electronics, computers and telephones -- to Mexico, he added. Also, more than 360,000 Mexicans work in Florida agriculture, construction and service jobs, he said.

"Florida could not be one of the largest agricultural producers without Mexican workers," Rodriguez said.

Peter Quinter, an international attorney with Becker & Poliakoff in Fort Lauderdale, also spoke to the trade center group.

"Agriculture is not happy with NAFTA," Quinter said of U.S. farmers. "Mexico can grow cheaper and sell for less than we can in the U.S.

"Everybody else is delighted with NAFTA. NAFTA is the biggest thing that's happened in the U.S. since Columbus came around."

After his talk, Rodriguez, who served as Mexico's ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg before being appointed to the Miami post in March, characterized as "protectionism" the complaint voiced by Florida growers that Mexico's farmers use U.S.-banned chemicals, child labor and polluted water.

"Our exports are fully controlled," Rodriguez said.