In This Issue:
Spotlight:
This month's spotlight is the new FAST Lane at the Santa Teresa-San Jeronimo Border Crossing. Check it out here.
Partners:

Executive Director's Message:

Here on the border, everybody seems to be anxiously awaiting the final decision of the seven-member Mexican tribunal empowered to make the final decision on who won the Mexican presidential elections. On July 2nd, Felipe Calderon apparently emerged the victor by approximately 243,000 votes – a less than one percent margin of victory. His opponent, PRD candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, immediately contested the elections based on irregularities and took his case to the Mexican Supreme Court. His followers have since been demanding a vote-by-vote recount of the total 41 million votes that were cast. However, the tribunal has rejected this approach and instead has opted to order the recount of votes at 11,839 of the 130,000 total polling places.

September 6th has been set as the final day that the tribunal must certify a winner. Meanwhile Lopez Obrador’s supporters have set up protest tents and positions on heavily trafficked Mexico City streets. Here on the border, very little blockage or disruptions have occurred by PRD partisans.

However, everybody seems to his/her own theory about what is going to occur once the tribunal makes its decision. If the PRD loses, could violent protests break out, thus paralyzing the nation? Could appointing an interim president while new elections are held be a compromise? At this point, all of this is speculation that hasn’t seemed to dim the interest on behalf of the IBA’s client base in exploring their cross-border opportunities.

This is a difficult time for Mexico, but challenges such as this can make a country stronger. Sometimes, democracy isn’t pretty, but the alternative is almost always uglier.

Sincerely,

Jerry Pacheco
Announcements:
FAST Lane Now Available at the Santa Teresa-San Jeronimo Border Crossing
By Peter R. Ibarbo
International Trade Consultant

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is now available at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. This program is a bilateral security and safety initiative between the United States and Mexico that expedites the processing and clearing of commercial shipments through U.S.-Mexico border crossings. FAST promotes free and secure trade by using common risk-management principles, supply chain security, industry partnerships and advanced technology. Its primary objective is to increase the integrity of supply chain security and enhance the efficiency of clearing commercial shipments through US-Mexico border crossings.

One of the major benefits of enrolling in this program is exactly what the meaning of the word “fast” implies. This program enhances the speed and efficiency in the clearance of transborder shipments whereever FAST dedicated lanes are available. Another advantage is the opportunity of developing working relationships with Mexican and US Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) administrations that can help reduce the number of examinations for companies that demonstrate continued compliance with FAST procedures. To enroll in the FAST program businesses must have a C-TPAT approved carrier, a C-TPAT certified manufacturer, a C-TPAT registered importer. They must also obtain a FAST-Commercial Driver Identification Card. Companies interested in this program are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov.

FAST is by far the most advanced paperless cargo release method used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It can expedite the release of highly compliant cargo and reduce congestion at U.S.-Mexico land border crossings. Some border crossings that currently have FAST lanes available include Laredo-Nuevo Laredo, Hidalgo-Reynosa, El Paso-Juarez, Otay Mesa-Tijuana. The Santa Teresa-San Jeronimo FAST lane officially will be inaugurated on August 31, 2006. Please refer to the invitation on the FAST lane inauguration listed below in the Calendar of Events section.
Mexican Ambassador to the U.S.
Visits Las Cruces
Mexican Ambassador to the United States Carlos de Icaza discussed immigration, trade and border issues during a recent visit to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. According to Icaza, "Mexico respects the sovereign right of the United States to enforce its laws and to secure its borders, but, if you don't have a comprehensive view, and it's only one-sided, there can be unintended effects and the trade is going to suffer” De Icaza further emphasized that focusing only on border law enforcement won't work. He suggested ensuring that the border is secure for people and trade, in addition to creating a guest-worker program that would allow Mexicans to return to their country safely and easily. “The magnet of the American economy for Mexican workers will continue. The only way for us to tackle this is to cooperate intensively on both sides of the border."

The ambassador said that Mexican officials acknowledged that their economy is to blame for the gap in job opportunities between the two countries, but solving immigration problems will take cooperation on behalf of both governments. “There is a recognition that we have not created the necessary social and economic opportunities for our people to stay in this country," he said. "We're not avoiding our part of this responsibility, but we believe it's a shared responsibility."

Armando Martinez, IBA Chihuahua Director had the opportunity of participating in the meeting with Ambassador de Icaza. He and a group of Mexican students welcomed the ambassador and presented him with the advantages of secondary education in New Mexico, and how well Mexican students are treated. They also mentioned that more promotion is needed to bring additional Mexican students to New Mexico’s institutions of higher education.
Hyperborder
"Small Business Trade Conference"
The IBA is working in conjunction with several border-based groups including the El Paso-Juarez World Trade Center and the El Paso Small Business Administration to coordinate the Hyperborder, “Small Business Trade Conference”, tentatively scheduled for November 16 and November 17, 2006 in El Paso, Texas. This event will focus on trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Trade experts will be discussing topics such as importing/exporting, business and legal issues in both the U.S. and Mexico, export financing, marketing products/services and customs issues.

The conference will begin with an evening reception on November 16th, with topical sessions taking place the following day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. November 17th. A final agenda will be published soon. For more information please contact:

Adrian Madrigal
El Paso SBA
(915) 633-7025
adrian.madrigal@sba.gov

or

The International Business Accelerator
Santa Teresa, New Mexico
(505) 589-2200
info@nmiba.com
Pre-K and Kindergarten Evaluators Needed
Temporary Job Positions Available

As part of the NM Pre-K Initiative, EqualValor is looking for people to evaluate pre-k and kindergarten children.

This job provides interesting work at a competitive rate for a great cause.

For more information contact Marissa Nordstrom Perez at (505) 235-0912 or at marissa@relationalsensibilities.com.

If you are interested, please make contact as quickly as possible. This newsletter is going out on the day of the first training session, however, EqualValor will be scheduling a second in the near future.
October 20th: The 7th Annual Santa Teresa Charity Golf Tournament

We cordially invite you to attend:
The 7th Annual Santa Teresa Charity Golf Tournament”
Friday, October 20th, 2006
At
Santa Teresa Country Club

Registration from 10:30 am-11:50, shotgun start 12:00 pm.
Tee prizes, team prizes, hole prizes and all sorts of other surprises in this golf scramble.

This year’s tournament will benefit the Honors Programs at Sunland Park and Desert View Elementary Schools. These programs recognize students with perfect attendance, superior grades, and students who have performed honorably in crisis situations.

The cost to participate in the tournament is $100 per person or $400 per foursome. Hole sponsorship is $100. We will be having various contests at the tournament to raise money for our community elementary schools.

Come join us for free laughs, golf, and a day of fun in the sun, while benefiting the greatest asset we have – our kids!
Please RSVP to Jerry Pacheco (jerry@gpiinc.biz)
or Peter Ibarbo (peter@gpiinc.biz)
Tel: (505) 589-2200.

Trade Leads:
Thermoplastic Packaging
  • Business Type: Supplier
  • Country: Mexico
  • Description: The owner of a seven-year-old thermoplastic packaging plant located in Cd. Juarez is interested in selling his business. This plant consists of a production line of thermoplastic packaging products primarily sold to the automotive industry. Some references include; Cummings, Siemens, Emerson and Coilcraft. The plant is currently running one and a half shifts generating an average of $1 million of monthly sales. Three shifts can be easily implemented without the need for additional investment in machinery and equipment. The plant is highly automated and consists of 18 employees.
Used Oversized Tires
  • Business Type: Buyer
  • Country: USA
  • Description: A tire refurbishing company in New Mexico is interested in buying used oversized tires type 46/65/45 bias or radial in the following sizes: 2700 X 49, 3300 X 51, 3600 X 51, 3700 X 57, and 4000 X 57. Initial volumes consist of 300 to 1,000 used tires per month. The buyer is capable of providing a crew to load the tires onto trucks for shipment.
Mexican Leather Shoes
  • Business Type: Vendor
  • Country: Mexico
  • Description: A Mexican leather shoe wholesaler located in Chihuahua City is interested in supplying U.S. distributors or retailers with a variety of Mexican leather shoes.
Metal Stamping
  • Business Type: Supplier
  • Country: USA
  • Description: A metal stamping company in Santa Teresa capable of producing close tolerances on CNC machining centers, mills and lathes with punch press capabilities that range from 35 to 400 tons, is interested in providing metal stamping services to companies located near the New Mexico-Chihuahua border region.
Composit Custom Technical Cable
  • Business Type: Supplier
  • Country: USA
  • Description: A custom technical cable manufacturer located in Santa Teresa is interested in supplying quality cable to companies in the New Mexico-Chihuahua border region. Some of the markets this company serves include: industrial automated, medical-electronic, specialty-automotive, machine-vision, and aqua-machine industries.
For additional information on these and other trade leads please contact the IBA by phone at (505) 589-2200, by email at info@nmiba.com, or on the web at nmiba.com
Upcoming Events:
When:
August 31st, 2006 from 10:00 am to 11:00
Where:
Santa Teresa Port of Entry, Santa Teresa, NM
 FAST Lane Inauguration

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will inaugurate the Port of Santa Tersa, New Mexico as a FAST Port and you are invited to attend the FAST opening ceremony.

Customs and Border Protection
El Paso Field Office,
Director of Field Operations, Mr. Luis Garcia
Santa Teresa, NM Port Director, Mr. Normon Bebon

Download the brochure here.
When:
September 6, 7, and 8, 2006
Where:
Chihuahua Convention Center, Chihuahua City, Chih,. MX..
For More Info Click Here		 La Muestra de Insumos
Chihuahua City's Maquiladora Supplier Tradeshow.

Advantages of the Show:

  • A showcase for your business and/or product to be seen by representatives of industry and thousands of visitors.
  • Participation at business meetings.
  • Contact with industry and/or influence leaders.
  • Your participation along with over 100 suppliers, fully oriented to industry.
When:
October 20th, 2006
Where:
Santa Teresa Country Club, Santa Teresa, NM
For More Info Click Here		 7th Annual Santa Teresa Charity Golf Tournament

For more information please see the announcement above.
When:
October 26th - 28th, 2006
Where:
Expo Convention Center, Chihuahua City, Chih., MX.
 Expo Alimentab
2006 Chihuahua

CANACINTRA Chihuahua sponsors its 8th annual Expo Alimentab, a forum with the purpose of promoting Mexico's food industry contributing toward its sustainable development, expanding frontiers and increasing its participants capacity for new business.

Expo Alimentab is a specialized fair; the only one of its kind in the region. The strategic position of the state in the geography of Mexico makes Alimentab the chosen platform for launching into distinct international markets.

Expo Alimentab meets in the Expo Convention Center (Centro de Convenciones y Exposiciones) in the City of Chihuahua, within the largest state of Mexico which occupies more than 12% of the nation's territory, the 5th largest economy in the country. Chihuahua contributes 4.4% of the GNP with a border of 936 Km. with New Mexico and Texas. Its strategic location has made Chihuahua one of the most important commercial corridors between the United States and Canada.

For more information email CANACINTRA at alimentab@canacintrachihuahua.org.mx
When:
November 16th and 17th, 2006
Where:
El Paso, Texas
For More Info Click Here		 Hyperborder
"Small Business Trade Conference"

For more information please see the announcement above.
When:
November 29th and 30th, 2006
Where:
Mumbai, India
For More Info Click Here		 Business Development Mission to India

What is your India strategy? This November, Under Secretary for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin will lead a delegation of U.S. individuals and companies to a business summit in Mumbai, India with spin-off missions to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, or New Delhi. This is an excellent opportunity to make sales and/or contacts in India. For more information and on-line pre-registration please visit http://www.export.gov/indiamission