It's time to talk to Mexico

By Julio Espinoza, International Trade Specialist at the Tucson Hispanic Chamber

“It is time to talk to Mexico and stop talking about Mexico.” That was probably the most 
remarkable comment of David Farca, the new President of the Arizona Mexico Commission, 
during the reception hosted by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to introduce him to the community of Southern Arizona on June 2nd at Casino del Sol. The reception was a good opportunity to restate Governor Ducey’s international relations strategy and send Mexico a strong message of collaboration, trust and cooperation.  

Mexico is not only one of the most important political allies and trading partners of the 
U.S., but also Arizona’s most important economic partner with a trade exchange of USD 14 
billion per year. Arizona and Sonora have geographic proximity and share generations of history. 

It is vital for our State leaders to raise the international stature of our state by reaching out to our neighbor and other important global players. Governor Ducey understands the significance of implementing a strong international relations campaign that repositions Arizona on the world map. The current developments in the Ducey Administration validate that Arizona is not only open for business but also open to the world and ready to revamp relations with Mexico. During the last five months, the Ducey Administration has been introducing significant initiatives.

First, last February Governor Ducey appointed Juan Ciscomani, former Vice President of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as Director of the Arizona’s Governor’s office in 
Southern Arizona. The appointment perfectly suited the State’s interest in growing relations with Mexico as Juan is bilingual and familiar with the political, social and economic factors related to growing business relations with Mexico. He was raised in Sonora but moved to Tucson with his family at the age of 11. He values the strong relationships built over decades between Southern Arizona and Sonora, and will work to establish relationships between our new Governor and leaders in Mexico.

Secondly, Governor Ducey appointed David Farca, a successful entrepreneur and Mexico 
City native as the President of the Arizona Mexico Commission.“In this increasingly competitive 
global economy, it’s critical that we continue to strengthen Arizona’s partnership with our largest trade partner, and to capitalize on opportunities that make both Arizona and Mexico more globally competitive [and] David will be key to this effort,” said Governor Ducey. David Farca represents the new generation of Mexican immigrants that not only have achieved the American Dream throughout hard work but also embrace U.S. principles and serve as a bridge between our country and their home country.

Thirdly, last May, Govenor Ducey created a business leadership group called Arizona Zanjeros. The Zanjero was once the most powerful man in any community along the Colorado River Basin, entrusted with overseeing its most valuable resource: water. Governor Ducey created a group of active and diverse CEO’s and business leaders from across the state co-chaired by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Lea Marquez Peterson, and the Arizona Cardinals President, Michael Bidwill. The objective of the group is to promote the international image of Arizona while working closely with the state's economic development partners to bring foreign direct investment and joint ventures for business leaders that want to live and do business in Arizona.

Lastly, to show his commitment to international trade, Governor Ducey will travel to Mexico City with a delegation on June 17th to send a clear message that Arizona is open to business and ready to revamp the binational relationship, which suffered a backlash after the enactment of the controversial SB-1070 in 2010. Governor Ducey will meet with high ranking elected officials and the most important CEO’s of Mexico in a trade mission trip that acknowledges the strategic importance of our neighbor to the south, a country whose nationals spend an average of USD 7.3 million per day in Arizona. He and his delegation will meet with the Arizona Mexico office which opened in late 2014 also.

Mexico stands as the 12th largest economy of the world. It is a country that in thirty five years will become the second largest economy in the Western Hemisphere, just after the U.S. and whose middle class today represents 44 million people (about the total population of Canada). The Tucson Hispanic Chamber and its affiliate chambers in Sierra Vista, Nogales and Douglas will continue its work to grow business relations with Mexico. Our 1100 member businesses applaud the Governor’s leadership in engaging the public and private sectors of Arizona to work together to collaborate to provide economic prosperity to our region.