August 16, 2018
On July 25th, Chamber VP of International Business Affairs, Paola Avila, met with Baja California’s Senator-elect Jaime Bonilla in Tijuana with a group of business leaders. Bonilla reaffirmed Mexico’s President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s commitment to the border region, “whose policies have, for far too long, been determined by the capital” versus the local community.
Bonilla stated that various proposals impacting the border region will be formally submitted to Congress upon taking office in December. Those proposals are aimed at stimulating the economy and recognize the border region as an economic driver. Among the proposals are: a reduction in sales tax in the border region from 16 percent to match the rate in region on the U.S. side of the border, reducing income tax to 20 percent and moving customs facilities to 20 kilometers south of the border. As the fourth largest exporter in Mexico, Baja California’s tax reduction would significantly increase the number of exports and economic viability on both sides of the border.
Bonilla also stated the administration’s commitment to addressing the transboundary water pollution at the Tijuana River Valley, “is an urgent issue that will receive priority attention upon taking office.”
The Chamber is committed to continue working together with the Mexican government as we have with past administrations to develop and promote projects and initiatives that improve our economies such as border infrastructure and trade facilitation, workforce development, and minimizing transboundary pollution. We have also reached out to the newly elected members of the Mexican Congress as well as the members of Lopez Obrador’s proposed cabinet to foster relationships in advance of the Chamber’s 14th delegation trip to Mexico City taking place March 31 – April 3, 2019.