November 19, 2018

The Chamber, IBA Committee member Louis R. Escareño, Attorney at Law, Tafoya and Associates, and the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership hosted a discussion with David R. Ayón co-author of “Power Shift: How Latinos in California Transformed Politics in America.”  The discussion was moderated by Paola Avila, Chamber VP of International Business Affairs.

Power Shift charts the rise of Latino political power and its impact, from the breakthrough election of the first Mexican American to the Los Angeles City Council in 1949 to today’s leadership of California and its heavyweight role in polarized America. This inspiring story recounts the origins and development of 10 LA-based Latino and Latina leaders who transformed politics and government, forging a progressive political tradition in the process.

November 19, 2018

Jayne Harkins has been appointed to serve as the new U.S. Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. Harkins is the first woman Commissioner for either the United States or Mexico in the 129-year history of the Commission. As Commissioner, she serves as head of the U.S. Section of the Commission.

Previously serving as Executive Director for the Colorado River Commission (CRC) of Nevada for seven years, Harkins provided leadership and consultation on various efforts to secure additional water and hydropower resources for Nevada.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the two countries and settling differences that arise in their application.

Chamber Director of International Business Affairs, Kenia Zamarripa, was appointed to an 11-member Citizens Forum under the U.S. IBWC in March of this year. In her role on the forum, Zamarripa continues to push for minimizing transboundary pollution on the Tijuana River Valley and promotes the exchange of information between the IBWC and our binational community.

Earlier this year during federal budget appropriations discussions, the Chamber advocated in support for funding the EPA’s U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program which ultimately received $10 million. Additionally, Mexico’s National Water Commission announced an investment of $4.35 million for improvements to repair Tijuana’s sewage infrastructure. In collaboration with CESPT, these funds are currently covering the replacement sewage pipelines and the main wastewater treatment plant in order to prevent major sewage spills along the canal.

The Chamber also hosted a Good Government Speaker Series event in October featuring CESPT Director German Lizola, who provided an overview of the Baja California’s State Commission of Public Services in Tijuana on their efforts to prevent sewage spills and improve the city’s sewage and sanitation system.

November 19, 2018

Last month, the Chamber and representatives from Deloitte San Diego and Washington D.C. met in Tijuana for a tour of Baja Railroad headquarters and the company’s daily activities. Baja Railroad is

the railway company that operates the Tijuana-Tecate short line in Baja California. They transport freight and goods between both sides of California’s border.

After meeting with CEO Roberto Romandia and their marketing team, the group was able to observe the exchange operations at the San Ysidro station. Marketing and Public Director Jorge Izquierdo explained the current challenges and opportunities for efficient operations. Every year, the company handles more than 3,400 rail cars thanks to its strategic location which centers in one of the most prominent industrial corridors in Mexico.

November 19, 2018

On October 24^th, the Port of San Diego held its annual Senior Leadership Seminar to brief public and private sector leadership on current events and new developments. As part of the Resilience Working Group, the mission of the seminar is to provide a forum for diverse stakeholders to work together to de-conflict plans, validate assumptions, broaden the understanding of the port, and continue to build and sustain relationships in efforts to ensure resilience for the Port of San Diego community.

Kenia Zamarripa, Chamber Director of International Business Affairs, participated as a speaker of the “Port Complexity Forum” providing an overview of the economic and human impacts of the border in the Cali-Baja region. Including the binational perspective on the seminar help enhance a “whole port” understanding for Port of San Diego stakeholders.

November 19, 2018

On November 14^th, the Chamber hosted its annual International Tribute Dinner. This event provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals and businesses that have made a significant impact in the binational efforts bridging U.S. and Mexican economies.

Recognized for their work in the region this year:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and SAT (Mexican Tax Administration Service), Cross-Border Collaboration Award
• Calimax, Cali-Baja Business of the Year
• Maria Luisa Sanchez, Former Congresswoman from Mexico, Cross-Border Leader of the Year:

This year’s featured speaker was Julián Castro, former Secretary of Housing & Urban Development and Mayor of San Antonio, TX. In a conversation with Chamber VP Paola Avila, Secretary Castro shared his vision for the country as he considers a bid for U.S. President in the 2020 elections. Avila also asked him about his views on the U.S.-Mexico relationship, immigration,  trade and healthcare. Watch a clip of the interview here: https://youtu.be/84XchVixyNk

November 19, 2018

On October 22, the Chamber’s IBA Committee and Jerry Sanders met with Calimax’s President Ignacio Fimbres and his team to learn about the company’s history, international activities, and upcoming ventures. A brief presentation of Calimax’s operations and vision was followed by a brief tour of the Tijuana Distribution Center which supplies all of the stores in the state of Baja. With a warehouse in Otay Mesa and registered as an LLC in San Diego, Calimax looks forward to expanding into San Diego.

Calimax is a grocery store chain headquartered in Tijuana and operating since 1939. With over 100 stores in the states of Sonora and Baja California, Calimax distributes over 20,000 products of which 30 percent are imported from the United States. Through a joint venture with Smart & Final, Inc., Calimax operates an additional 15 unaffiliated grocery stores in the Northwest of Mexico.

November 19, 2018

The Chamber hosted the Border Trade Alliance Board of Directors meeting last week where Paola Avila, Vice President of International Business Affairs, was re-elected Board Chair for a second year. Representing a large network of public and private sector members from across the U.S., the BTA is a non-profit organization that advocates for policies and initiatives designed to improve border affairs and trade relations among Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

The Chamber values its involvement with the BTA as it serves to strengthen our voice in D.C. and partnerships across the U.S. Through this role, the Chamber’s voice is augmented in Senate hearings and policy conferences held in DC, Mexico City, and throughout the U.S.-Mexico border region.

November 19, 2018

The Chamber, in partnership with organizations from both sides of the border, is hosting a series of informational forums to brief regional stakeholders on the new trilateral trade agreement. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, known as NAFTA 2.0, includes several updated chapters from the original North American Trade Agreement and improves provisions in others. Trade agreements like NAFTA have helped create a thriving binational economy, with a co-producing manufacturing supply chain that accounts for $2.5 billion in trade between San Diego and Baja California. After Mexico, Canada is the second largest consumer of San Diego’s goods and services. We are not just trading partners, we are producing together.

Upcoming  forums:

• San Diego, December 10^th at The Alexandria at Torrey Pines
• Tijuana, January 15 at Club de Empresarios
• San Diego, February 12^th at the San Diego Chamber

For more information about upcoming USMCA forums, please contact Chamber Director of International Business Affairs, Kenia Zamarripa at kzamarripa@sdchamber.org.

November 19, 2018

In response to the arrival of migrant caravans, U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed 10 lanes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and one lane at the Otay Port of Entry on November 19.  CBP also temporarily suspended all northbound vehicle traffic in San Ysidro, as well as PedEast northbound operations for a few hours early in the morning due to reports that a group of migrants was planning to rush the port the entry. This closure caused unprecedented border delays to all vehicle lanes.

The Chamber is concerned with the adverse impacts to our regional economy from these lane closures and urges agencies to return to operations as usual as soon as it is safe to do so.

As CBP, Border Patrol, and the Administration manage the arrival of migrants at the border, the Chamber continues to work with the government agencies to ensure a secure, reliable, and efficient border. On November 20, we hosted a meeting with stakeholders to discuss creative solutions to minimize impacts on the cross-border community. The commercial exchange between Tijuana and San Diego is valued at $2.1 million per day, and the San Ysidro Port of Entry alone experiences over 60,000 vehicle and 20,000 pedestrian crossings into the U.S. daily. With an integrated manufacturing supply chain worth $2.5 billion, the Cali Baja region critically depends on its cross-border connectivity and efficient movement of goods which accounts for a gross regional product of $255 billion.

Click here to read CBP’s full press release regarding recent border activities.

If your business, employees, suppliers, or family is being impacted by increased border delays or could be economically impacted by a potential closure of our land ports of entry, please share your story with the Chamber by writing to kzamarripa@sdchamber.org. We also welcome creative solutions and ideas that will help minimize the impact on our binational community.