California-Baja California
Trade Mission visits Mexico City
U.S. Embassy, Mexico City
• Nearly 90 Cali-Baja business and community leaders advocate
for region’s cross-border commerce
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce led its 11th annual California-Mexico Trade
Initiative to Mexico City from April 17 to 20. Nearly 90 business leaders and government officials from San Diego and Baja
California participated, reinforcing the Chamber’s role as a coalition builder, policy advocate, and resource for business
on both sides of the border. The trip is key to the Chamber’s international advocacy work to enhance cross-border business
and showcase the region’s global competitiveness.
“The strong, unified voice of San Diego and Baja leaders who participated in
our annual delegation trip to Mexico City speaks volumes for the commitment to collaboration that is making our region a top
global competitor,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber. “Through this trip
we have created a unique opportunity for dialogue with the leadership in Mexico City, which is essential for our binational
region because the positive impacts of our region’s cross-border commerce don’t always reach that level.”
Delegates met with top Mexican
government officials and agencies to advance current projects and bring forward new initiatives important to regional growth
and business development. Focus areas for the trip included: border infrastructure, renewable energy projects, investment
in the telecommunications industry, and cross-border tourism.
Trip participants included San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Tijuana
Mayor Jorge Astiazarán whose participation underscored the region’s collaborative spirit.Other
notable delegates included:
William Ostick, US Consul General in Tijuana
Oscar Escobedo, Secretary of Tourism for the State of Baja California
Benjamin De Alba,
Assistant Secretary for Rail and Ports, California State Transportation Agency
Supervisor Ron Roberts, County of San Diego
Mayor Serge Dedina, City of Imperial
Beach
Mayor Cesar Moreno, City of Tecate
Mayor Mary Salas, City of Chula Vista
Councilmember David Alvarez, City of San Diego
Councilmember Martin Plascencia Avila,
City of Tijuana
Councilmember, Pamela Bensoussan, City of Chula Vista
Councilmember Guillermo Zavala Camarena, City of Tijuana
Councilmember Martha Leticia Castañeda,
City of Tijuana
Councilmember Prof. Irma Salgado Gonzalez, City of Tijuana
Xavier Peniche, Secretary of Economic Development, City of Tijuana
Mariano Escobedo,
Director of International Relations, Government of Baja California
Jerry Sanders,
President and CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber
Paola Avila, Vice President of International
Business Affairs, San Diego Regional Chamber
Highlights from the trip included:
Meeting and discussion on renewable energy and investment opportunities for San Diego businesses with Secretary of Energy,
Pedro Joaquin Coldwell.
Visit to the Mexican Senate (Senado de la República) for
breakfast, tour, and meeting with members of the Northern Border Affairs Committee (Comisión de Asuntos Fronterizos
Norte – Senado de la República) featuring Senate President Roberto Gil Zuarth. We were also joined by the incoming
Consul General in San Diego Marcela Celorio.
Confirmation from Federal Administrator of
Customs, Ricardo Treviño Chapa, that the San Ysidro Pedestrian West crossing would be completed in August with a temporary
solution in place in June allowing the project to proceed as planned with a June opening.
Confirmation from INAMI of a one-year visa that will permit multiple entry into Mexico (maritime and non-maritime) to
allow for the sustainability of the US-Mexico travel industry ensuring a successful cross-border business model.
Confirmation that the land acquisition for the Mexican side of the new port of entry, Otay 2, will be completed to allow
the project to remain on schedule.
MOU signing with American Chamber of Commerce
of Mexico.
Delegates also enjoyed meeting with members of Mexican Congress representing the border region, and
Mr. William Duncan, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Commercial Affairs, US Embassy.
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Press release, Apr. 21, 2016, Embassy of the United States, Mexico City
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