BORDER TRADE ALLIANCE advocates for policies to grow cross-border trade

Mexico City – Business leaders, members of the U.S. and Mexican governments, and local officials discussed the importance of a healthy and vibrant border region on Thursday October 13 during an annual conference for the Border Trade Alliance.

The Border Trade Alliance is a leading business organization that advocates for stronger protections and support for cross-border trade, all to boost legal trade along the U.S.-Mexican and U.S.-Canadian borders.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Border Trade Alliance members stated their strong support for the Trans Pacific Partnership – a multinational trade deal – and urged Congress to take up the accord during the lame duck session after the November elections.

Noe Garcia, the president of the Border Trade Alliance, said this year’s conference helped members coalesce around specific policies and proposals that would aid the growth of international trade and business, streamline processes at points of entry and enhance the major economic sectors of our international trade with Mexico.

“Growing and efficient trade is critical to the communities at both the southern and northern borders. This conference brought together leading minds to discuss new ways to support and expand cross-border trade,” Garcia said. “It’s clear from our discussions here that the BTA and the broader cross-border trade community must continue to make a vigorous case for a strong trade partnership with Mexico and Canada, especially in the current environment of anti-trade rhetoric.”

Members of the binational organization heard from key leaders, including Deputy Chief of Mission William H. Duncan from the U.S. embassy in Mexico, Rep. Henry Cueller (D-Texas) and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Alan Bersin, during the two-day conference.

The Border Trade Alliance also added two new board members to its ranks during the annual conference. Neftali “Nef” Garcia, a vice president for governmental affairs at the McLane Company, and Kevin Faulconer, the mayor of the City of San Diego, were approved to join the board Wednesday.

The Border Trade Alliance is a business organization advocating and supporting cross-border trade throughout the NAFTA region. To join the BTA or more information please visit their website at www.thebta.org