Arizona-Mexico trade talks getting underway in Guadalajara

A delegation of public and private sector leaders are heading to Mexico Wednesday for the city of Phoenix Greater Guadalajara Trade and Tourism Mission.

“A great deal of the opportunities for business expansion are outside of the borders,” said Kerwin Brown, president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona. “Arizona is in a growth, the way I see it, and if we’re going to continue to grow, we need to look at all aspects.”

Furthering trade relations with Arizona’s largest trading partner is a good way to assure that the state isn’t focused heavily on one industry the way it was reliant on construction during the Great Recession, he said.

Brown said he is happy and honored to be invited to the delegation.

“The Black business community, as is all business communities here in Phoenix and in Arizona,” said Brown. “We’re looking to grow and establish ourselves as the local community here in Phoenix grows.”

“We want to make sure we are involved in setting up the relationships, because business is all about relationships,” Brown said.

He said technology as well as arts and culture are big focuses of the trade mission.

“If we can help grow our economy through trade partnership with Mexico in technology, that’s one more arrow to our quiver if you will,” Brown said.

The delegation runs from July 6 to July 9.

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