Secretary Pablos Convenes First Border Trade Advisory Committee Meeting of 2017

SAN ANTONIO, TX – In his capacity as the state's Border Commerce Coordinator, Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos today convened his first meeting as Chair of the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC). The meeting brought together federal, state and local officials, as well as key stakeholders from the private sector, to discuss Texas' objectives in facilitating cross-border trade and commerce. As Presiding Officer, Secretary Pablos began by adopting minutes from BTAC's December 7, 2016 meeting before providing an overview of the Texas-Mexico Trade Transportation Master Plan with representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Secretary Pablos then moderated an executive panel on Texas-Mexico cross-border trade with Texas Transportation Commission Chair Tryon Lewis, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and U.S. Representative Will Hurd. Before officially adjourning the meeting, Secretary Pablos led an additional discussion on future topics to be addressed by BTAC during its next scheduled meeting in August 2017.
 
"Robust and efficient cross-border trade with Mexico is crucial to the continued strength of the Texas economy, and I am deeply encouraged by today's discussions among all BTAC members," Secretary Pablos said. "In bringing together leaders in transportation, infrastructure, security, and commerce, BTAC is fostering constructive dialogue on how to best address the challenges of international trade in the 21st century. I would like to thank all the members for their participation in today's meeting and for their commitment to ensuring that Texas continues to lead the nation in advancing cross-border commerce with our number one trade partner."
 
“Free trade has been a cornerstone of the Texas economy, adding billions to our economy annually and bolstering our relationship with our largest trade partner: Mexico,” said Senator Cornyn. “I'm grateful to Secretary Pablos for a substantive and productive conversation, and I look forward to continuing to work with all my colleagues to improve legitimate trade and travel across our southern border."
 
"Cross-border trade and commerce is the lifeblood of many of the communities in my district, including El Paso, Del Rio, and Eagle Pass," said U.S. Representative Hurd, whose district covers over 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, more than any other member of Congress. “It is now more important than ever that we work together with our partners to modernize NAFTA and account for challenges and opportunities that didn’t exist at the time we signed it – such as domestic energy production, digital commerce, and cybersecurity. I would like to thank Secretary Pablos for inviting me to participate in the Committee's discussions on border trade and look forward to working together to develop innovative solutions that will stimulate the economy and create jobs on both sides of the border."
 
“I applaud the hard work of the Border Trade Advisory Committee members under the leadership of Secretary Pablos,” Chairman Lewis said. “This work is vital to TxDOT’s efforts to accommodate future transportation demands.”  

Learn more about the Border Trade Advisory Committee.

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