Centers for International Trade Development Success Stories

CITD Co-Hosts Baja California Governor Osuna Millán's Visit to the Capital City

Mexican Governor Extols Mexico as California's Number One Export Market

Signs MOU with Governor Schwarzenegger

By Tybyu D. Burch

The Honorable José Guadalupe Osuna Millán, Governor of the Mexican state of Baja California, told an international luncheon audience in Sacramento that Baja California is making significant infrastructure upgrades at several ports of entry to accommodate increased trade with California and the United States at large. The state of Baja California is also expanding its railways in an effort to accelerate and improve the cross border movement of trade.

Governor Osuna Millán, a former economics professor, author of several articles and essays on economics, and an extensive government career prior to becoming Governor of Baja California, delivered his message to approximately 120 business leaders, numerous cabinet secretaries, Chief of Staff for the Governor, and a number of state senators at a luncheon co-hosted by the Sacramento Regional Center for International Trade Development, the California-Mexico Trade Assistance Center, and the California Chamber of Commerce in Governor Millán's honor. The sponsoring companies of this forum were Wells Fargo and Sempra Energy.

In addition to transport infrastructure improvements, Governor Millán also drew attention to areas of opportunity between Baja California and California such as in renewable energy investments, agriculture cross-border training, additional bi-national border crossings, and environmental protection. Governor Millán stated that Mexico already purchases 15% of California's total exports, making Mexico California's top export market, and reaffirmed that improving relations and infrastructure is in everyone's self-interest. The Baja Governor also noted that 2008 exports to Mexico from California increased from $17.7 billion to $20.5 billion.

Immediately following the international luncheon forum, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Baja California Governor Osuna Millán met at the Capitol to sign a Memorandum of Understanding designed to build upon their cooperative efforts on important issues in the California-Baja California border region. To read more about Governor Osuna Millán's meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger refer to http://www.gov.ca.gov/press-release/13672/.