Shaping the future of North American Cooperation at the 2024 North Capital Forum | |
Key Event takeaways:
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North America as a tightly integrated economic region was emphasized, focusing on collaboration across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to enhance global competitiveness through trade, innovation, and trilateral institutions.
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Discussions on labor mobility and migration explored policies to develop a skilled workforce and address labor shortages through enhanced cross-border cooperation.
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Border efficiency is critical for maintaining North America’s competitive edge. Key points included bridging the technology gap between Mexican and U.S. customs to streamline trade, and the importance of modernized infrastructure to support increased trade and capture nearshoring opportunities.
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The forum stressed the significance of the upcoming 2026 USMCA revision, highlighting it as a pivotal moment to strengthen trilateral agreements, further integrate supply chains, and enhance North America’s economic growth.
Nearly 1,000 participants attended the forum which is organized by the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, held at the Hyatt Regency in Mexico City from October 2-4,
For more information on the North Capital Forum, please visit: www.northcapitalforum.com
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Fostering Binational Growth: SANDAG Welcome for
Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz
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The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) recently hosted an intimate reception to welcome Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgeño Ruiz, who took office on October 1st. Mayor Burgeño has quickly demonstrated a strong commitment to working closely with binational counterparts and business organizations on both sides of the border to foster collaboration and regional growth.
Notable guests at the reception included SANDAG CEO Mario Orso, San Diego County Chairwoman Nora Vargas, Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma, Chula Vista City Councilwoman Carolina Chávez, and Imperial County Supervisor Jesús Escobar.
| Addressing Fentanyl Risks in the Global Supply Chain | In partnership with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the Smart Border Coalition hosted an informative session led by C-TPAT specialists from CBP, George Rudy and Michael Smith. The presentation focused on the growing risks and challenges posed by fentanyl and other synthetic drugs to the global supply chain, highlighting the importance of binational collaboration to mitigate these threats and ensure safer, more secure cross-border trade. | Texas A&M International University Hosts the CILOG 2024 Conference in Laredo, Texas | |
The annual CiLOG Conference was hosted by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) from September 10-12, 2024, with this year's theme, "Harnessing the Future of Logistics," focusing on the intersection of logistics and emerging technologies.
Keynote Address:
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Andrew I. Rudman (CSIS) spoke on "Nearshoring: Challenges and Opportunities," highlighting the impact of nearshoring on trade dynamics.
Presentations & Panel Discussions:
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Dr. Gastón Cedillo (IMT) presented on the "Physical Internet," and Dr. Daniel Covarrubias (TAMIU) explored "Logistechs" and the future of logistics.
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Other key Speakers included Gerry Schwebel, IBC Bank, Juan Villa , Texas A&M and Claudia Lagos Galindo from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The Smart Border Coalition was honored to participate in a panel on Shaping Cross Border Development, alongside Mayra Maldonado from the HUNT Institute in El Paso and Dr. Daniel Covarrubias from TAMIU.
| World Trade Bridge Tour - Laredo, Texas | World Trade Bridge - Laredo, TX |
We had the opportunity to tour the World Trade Bridge in Laredo as part of a delegation of attendees of the CiLog Conference. Some important facts about this powering port of entry:
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Primary Trade Corridor: Handles over 10,000 trucks daily, making it one of the busiest land ports of entry between the U.S. and Mexico.
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An additional 4,000 to 5,000 cross via the Colombia Solidarity Bridge which is close by.
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Volume of Cargo: Facilitates the crossing of over $300 million worth of goods per day, contributing significantly to U.S.-Mexico trade relations.
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Critical Infrastructure for Supply Chains: Supports industries like automotive, electronics, and agriculture, vital to both economies.
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Expansion Plans: Ongoing efforts aim to expand lanes and processing capacity to reduce congestion and improve cross-border efficiency.
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Technology and Modernization: Use of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) systems to expedite trade flow and strengthen security protocols.
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Economic Impact: The bridge processes over $100 billion worth of cargo annually, reinforcing its role as a key driver of international commerce.
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In Memoriam
Honoring John D. Alessio, Managing Partner of the prestigious Procopio Law Firm and a valued member of the Smart Border Coalition Board of Directors. His dedication to fostering binational collaboration between Tijuana and San Diego was truly impactful.
Rest in peace, John D. Alessio
San Diego U-T Obituary
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World Design Capital
November 12th and 13th
Committee on Binational and Regional Opportunities (COBRO)
SANDAG
401 B. St, San Diego CA 92101
Wednesday, November 6th
Smart Border Coalition - Board of Directors Meeting
Museo Interactivo el Trompo
Wednesday, November 20th
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tijuana, B.C.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection has recently published its trade and travel data for Fiscal Year 2024, concluding on September 30. Here’s an initial infographic showcasing trade statistics specific to our CaliBaja region. A more comprehensive report will be available soon on our website. | | | | |