Arizona-Mexico Flights And Rail Lines On Agenda For Bi-National Conference
Government officials from Arizona and cross-border neighboring state of Sonora will highlight their region’s commercial potential and advocate for increased airline and railroad services at a conference this week, event organizers said.
The two-state region represents potential for companies trading between the two countries - thanks to attributes such as Arizona’s highly skilled workforce, and Sonora’s developed manufacturing network and ports in the Gulf of Mexico, said Juan Ciscomani, international affairs advisor for Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey.
The Arizona border accounts for almost 7 percent of U.S. trade with Mexico, according to economic indicators reported by the University of Arizona.
State officials plan on meeting with at least two key transportation-sector executives who will speak at the Arizona-Mexico Commission Summit, Ciscomani said.
One is Lance Fritz, president of Union Pacific Corporation, the only company providing rail service between the two countries in Arizona.
The second executive is Andres Fabre, CEO of Aeromar Airlines, which offers direct flights from Arizona to three cities in Northern Mexico.
"We want them walking away saying, 'Arizona and Sonora have it together. Not only in their respective states, but also they really want business, and they're a business friendly region,'" Ciscomani said. "That's what we want these large corporations and even small businesses to walk away with."
The summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Scottsdale, will host business and government leaders from both sides of the border, Ciscomani said. The 580-seat event sold out by last week.
