Mexico’s maquiladora (export manufacturing plant) industry is the country’s largest foreign currency income source, exceeding petroleum and tourism. The U.S. provides an estimated 47 % of all inputs to the maquiladoras, valued conservatively at US $41 billion in US exports. As the U.S. and Mexican economies experience further integration, the more than 2,800 plants throughout Mexico (of which 60 percent are located along the border with the United States) will have an ongoing need to source quality inputs, equipment and services from U.S. industry.
To better assist U.S. businesses tap into the excellent sales opportunities offered by the maquiladoras, the Commercial Service has launched the Border Trade Initiative (BTI). The BTI extends the strong trade promotion programs that already exist throughout Mexico and on the border in Tijuana to include the significant manufacturing clusters that have been underserved by the Commercial Service in the Mexican states bordering Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The BTI is being implemented throughout the border, and will build on the success of the Tijuana office in offering matchmaking services, hands-on border programs, special events, market research and other tools to help U.S. businesses be successful in accessing this important market.
CS Opens New Border Office in El Paso
In February 2009, the Commercial Service’s Office of Domestic Operations opened an office in El Paso, Texas. Given its strategic location at the epicenter of the U.S./Mexico border's commercial relations, the El Paso office will play a pivotal role in helping U.S. companies tap into the maquiladora market in the Texas/New Mexico/Chihuahua border area. For more information on the services the El Paso office offers, please contact: Robert.Queen@mail.doc.gov
Upcoming Events
| Date | Program | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| April 23 |
This program offers participants “hands-on” exposure to the physical transportation and documentation process of cross-border trade. It enhances the participant’s knowledge of the economic and trade dynamics of the region and provides specific insight into how to export into this important business market. If you are seeking to launch or expand your export business south of the border, you will not want to miss this event. Click here to learn details of this event and future schedule dates. |
Further Information, Comments or Questions
Geoffrey.Bogart@mail.doc.gov ,
Border Trade Initiative Program Leader in Mexico
Daniel.Rodriguez@mail.doc.gov , Border
Trade Initiative Program Leader in U.S.