In This Issue:
Spotlight:
Make sure to check out the 'Domino "Roll Out" Game' lead in our Trade Leads section.
News:
BeeHive Homes, one of the IBA's clients, was recently featured in a major Chihuahua newspaper. You can find the article here.
Partners:

Executive Director's Message:

The IBA is starting off 2006 with a bang. We have established a strategic partnership with the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Office of Mexican Affairs (see below), which will allow both of our agencies to better serve the New Mexican business community interested in its global opportunities. We are redesigning our website and adding new information and more features. By the end of February, we should be able to unveil the new website.

We have begun preparation with the Office of Mexican Affairs on a combined NAFTA Institute/New Mexico Chihuahua Commission B2B to be held in May. More details on this pending event will be forthcoming.

Finally, our most important objective is assisting clients with their international trade needs. We have now registered and assisted over 200 clients during our first two years. Each and every client is important to us, and we will strive even harder this year to help these businesses achieve success in the global market.
Announcements:
Distributor Reviews Food Samples in Chihuahua City for U.S. Hispanic Consumer Market:

By Peter R. Ibarbo
IBA International Trade Consultant

Following its participation in the Mexican Chamber of Industry’s (CANACINTRA) food expo in Chihuahua City, the IBA coordinated an exclusive procurement trade mission with CANACINTRA in an effort to strengthen Chihuahua-New Mexico business relations. Raul Balderrama, owner of Two Amigos Distributing, Inc., a food distributor with a presence throughout the southwestern U.S., was invited to take part in this commercial visit that took place December 8-9th, 2005 in Chihuahua City.

During his visit, Mr. Balderrama had the opportunity to meet with approximately 20 Chihuahua food vendors on a one-to-one basis. Some of the products he reviewed included: tostadas, salsas, cheese, cereals, granola snacks, and spices. Mr. Balderrama is currently in the process of doing business with three of the companies interviewed. According to Balderrama, “I am looking forward to working directly with vendors to tap into the growing U.S. Hispanic consumer market, and I am interested in sourcing unique food items from the southwest-border region.”

The IBA will be posting an exclusive section on its website to receive trade leads interested in supplying Two Amigos Distributing, Inc. with a variety of authentic Mexican and Southwest-style food items.

The Office of Mexican Affairs and the International Business Accelerator Announce Strategic Trade Partnership:

The Office Mexican Affairs (OMA) of the New Mexico Economic Development Department and the International Business Accelerator (IBA) established a partnership to assist New Mexican companies with their international trade needs.

Per the terms of this agreement, the OMA and IBA will work together to identify, prepare and counsel New Mexican companies interested in exploring opportunities in the global market, particularly in Mexico and Latin America. Both entities will work jointly to provide export/import and trade services with the objective of generating international trade successes on behalf of New Mexico companies. According to Rick Homans, Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, “This new partnership will be an effective way of pooling resources to maximize the international trade services that the state can offer to New Mexican companies. It also maximizes our opportunities to strategically place New Mexican products in foreign markets.”

As part of the agreement, both parties will work with the Anderson Schools of Management at the University of New Mexico to publish an annual New Mexico Export Recap, detailing the origin and destination of New Mexico’s exports.
Lineae Terrarum Conference:
The IBA is assisting in the promotion of Lineae Terrarum. This conference, which will be held on March 27-30, 2006 in Juarez, El Paso and Las Cruces, will bring together the most prominent scholars in border studies from around the world. They will share their scholarship and experience on borders and border issues. Lineae Terrarum’s fundamental focus is to examine current border research and issues within a global comparative perspective. In addition to the scholarly research stimulated by the conference, Lineae Terrarum will offer an analysis of the policy relevance of today's border theorizing in an effort to establish a bridge between border scholars and border policy makers. The registration fee for the conference is US$150.00, which includes transportation, some meals, special social events and more than 300 presentations. The on-site registration fee will be US$200.00. Registration information for the event can be found by clicking here.
Mexican Customs Reverts to Normal Value of Non-Commercial Imports:
On the heels of the "Paisano” program in which the value of non-commercial imports into Mexico was temporarily increased, this year Mexican Customs has reverted to its normal value of merchandise imports. Residents on the border and those traveling into Mexico are now allowed to import merchandise valued at no more than $150.00 per person and $400.00 per family. Commercial shipments valued at no more than $3,000 can be imported into Mexico without filing formal entries.

Upcoming Events:
When:
February 12th - 17th
Where:
Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico
For More Info Click Here		 Rocky Mountain Trade Mission to Mexico City and Monterrey

The Rocky Mountain Hub (Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona), Export Assistance Centers of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration will recruit and organize a two-stop, multiple industry trade mission event to Mexico City and Monterrey, February 12-17, 2006. While this mission is focused on companies in the Rocky Mountain region, all U.S. companies meeting mission selection criteria are encouraged to apply.

In each city, participating U.S. companies will have two days of pre-scheduled, pre-screened one-on-one appointments with potential agents, distributors, and/or business partners, as well as counseling from Commercial Service (CS) Trade Specialists. In addition, CS Mexico City will provide all participants with an in-depth briefing on the Mexican market and will hold a networking reception for the delegation with local private and public sector officials. Sectors included in the mission are: Building Materials; Educational Services; Energy/Oil & Gas Equipment and Services; Medical Equipment; Pollution Control Equipment; Safety & Security Equipment; Sporting Goods; and, Telecommunications Equipment.

Contact Information:

For more information please visit the Rocky Mountain Trade Mission webpage by clicking here, or contact one of the following:

Mr. John D. Breidenstine
Commercial Counselor
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2602
Fax [52](55) 5705-7434

Mr. Todd Avery
Commercial Officer
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2612
Fax [52](55) 5705-7434

Mr. Adrian Orta
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2619
Fax [52](55) 5705-7434

Ms. Selina Marquez
Denver U.S. Export Assistance Center
1625 Broadway
Suite 680
Denver, CO 80202
303-844-6623, ext. 15
303-844-5651

When:
March 8th - 10th
Where:
Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico at the Fiesta Americana Hotel.
For More Info Click Here		 MEXICONOW - Mexico's Auto Industry Conference

Conference Objectives:
  • Objectively analyze the business conditions of Mexico's Auto and Auto Parts Industries.
  • Obtain detailed and privileged information on Mexico's Auto Industry.
  • Interact with Mexico's Auto OEM representatives and Auto Parts plant managers.
  • Develop an itemized operation costs pro-forma of a potential near-shore manufacturing project in Mexico.
  • Hear from industry experts about the opportunities to participate in Mexico's Auto Industry value chain.
  • Interact with Auto Parts sales representatives in a working table format.

For registration and additional information, please contact MEXICONOW at:
MX: 01-800-170-1010
US: 1-877-864-8528
or by visiting their website at mexiconow.com.
When:
March 27th - 30th
Where:
El Paso, TX.
For More Info Click Here		 Lineae Terrarum
International Borders Conference

2006 Lineae Terrarum International Border Conference in El Paso, Las Cruces, and Cd. Juarez is inviting you to register. The registration fee is US$150. This includes, transportation, some meals, special social events and more than 300 presentations. The on-site registration fee will be US$200. You may register on our webpage www.research.utep.edu/lineaeterrarum in two simple steps.

1. Enter the webpage, download the registration form and fill it out (please not the payment method).
2. Fax it to (915) 747-8248 or send by regular mail to
Lineae Terrarum Conference
UTEP University Relations
1608 Hawthorne
El Paso, TX 79902

The preliminary program is now available on our website.
www.research.utep.edu/lineaeterrarum

For registration information
Lourdes Chee
(915) 747-8565
lchee@utep.edu

For conference information
Dr. Tony Payan
(915) 747-5227
lineaeterrarum@utep.edu
Trade Leads:
Picture Frame Assembly, Cutting & Injection Molding
  • Business Type: Buyer-Manufacturer/Producer
  • Country: Mexico
  • Description: A leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of picture frames is seeking production inputs for its manufacturing facility in Cd. Juarez. This company is seeking vendors of scrap PVC, polystyrene and high impact polystyrene. The volumes per each product consists of, 40,000 Lbs of polystyrene and 30,000 Lbs of PVC per week.
U.S. Legal Services
  • Business Type: Vendor-Service Establishment
  • Country: USA
  • Description: A group of bilingual attorneys in Albuquerque are available to provide legal services to foreign investors interested in establishing a business or commercial operations in New Mexico. Special interests include business licensing and contractual agreements.
Residential & Commercial Development Consulting
  • Business Type: Vendor-Service Establishment
  • Country: USA
  • Description: With over 25 years of experience, a group of land use consultants in Albuquerque are interested in providing services to foreign investors planning in developing commercial and rural areas in New Mexico. These services include the facilitation and the understanding of NM’s licensing, building and construction permits, zoning issues, taxing and other business components. This group can also provide commercial, residential and community development counseling services to similar projects abroad.
Domino "Roll-Out" Game
  • Business Type: Vendor-Manufacturer/Producer
  • Country: USA
  • Description: The creator of a new and exciting domino game, which has become popular among US troops in Iraq, is interested in supplying this game to entertainment game distributors and retailers around the world. Custom logos and designs can be placed on the board game to interested businesses and marketing firms.
Technology - Application Software
  • Business Type: Vendor-Manufacturer/Producer
  • Country: Mexico
  • Description: A software development company in Mexico is interested in expanding sales to the US in affordable application software, such as customized management database, bar-coding and integrated network systems for businesses and public institutions.
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