For Immediate Release: June 8, 2012
Contact: Lorri Crowley (202) 482-3809
Commerce Trade Official's U.S.-Mexico Border Trip Results in New International Trade Partners to Help U.S. Firms Export
MONTERREY, Mexico - Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance Michael Camuñez concluded his five-day trip to the U.S.-Mexico border region today by announcing a new strategic partnership between the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and Cintermex – a local trade show organizer that hosts more than 600 events annually.
The partnership calls for ITA’s U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (CS) staff to coordinate export promotion training with Cintermex’s clients on the benefits of exporting. Cintermex will identify Nuevo Leon companies keen on sourcing to the United States, and work to jointly develop trade fairs that match targeted industry sector buyers from both sides of the border.
“The agreement is a win-win for both parties,” Camuñez stated. “Cintermex will have a staff trained in matchmaking their exhibitors with the appropriate buyers and Commerce will be introduced to companies who are interested in procuring products and services from U.S. companies.”
Camuñez was joined by members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as he led a delegation of U.S. and Mexico government officials on a U.S.-Mexico Border Trade Policy and Promotion week-long tour designed to highlight the border as an engine of economic growth and jobs for both the U.S. and Mexican economies.
The delegation visited San Diego, Calif./Tijuana, Mexico; El Paso, Texas; Santa Teresa, N.M.; Laredo, Texas/Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; and Monterrey, Mexico – key points of trade along the U.S.-Mexico border. During the trip, the delegation met with local stakeholders to solicit input and highlight the achievements of the 21st Century Border Management initiative aimed at facilitating trade and address infrastructure needs.
At each stop, Camuñez recognized companies and organizations that are driving border trade and jobs. Camuñez awarded five ITA Border Champion Awards to stakeholders, and met with local partners to thank them for their support promoting exports and fostering cross-border trade.
“There are incredible business opportunities in Mexico,” Camuñez said in San Diego, the first stop on the visit. “I’m leading a high-level interagency delegation from the United States and Mexico to ‘change the narrative’ about the border from one that focuses on border violence to one that focuses on the reality of the border as an engine of economic growth and job creation in both countries.”
In Tijuana, Camuñez and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Wayne took part in a Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony between CS and the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation to ensure U.S. companies doing business in the region continue to receive high-quality support.
“The U.S.-Mexico border is critical to the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries,” Camuñez said. “And it’s an important priority for the Commerce Department. Strengthening the ties between U.S. and Mexican companies and encouraging cross-border trade will bolster our global efforts to increase U.S. exports and create good jobs here at home.”
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International Trade Administration
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