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Mexico Business Center Update
By James Clark, Mexico Business Center Director General

The Mexico Business Center has set April 20-23, 2008, for its fourth annual bi-national San Diego/Baja California Mission to Mexico. Delegates on the mission will meet with federal government officials on issues of concern to the border region, including easing wait times at the border and security.

The Hotel Nikko Mexico has been chosen as the headquarters for the delegation. The opening dinner is scheduled for the Brasserie Lipp, the sole branch of the famed Paris restaurant. The closing luncheon will be at the Casino Español, Spanish Club, in the Centro Historico (Historic Center). Other luncheons and dinners will be held at some of Mexico City’s finest and most interesting restaurants.

The Mexico Business Center expects more than 40 delegates from both sides of the border to participate in meetings with the Secretariats of Foreign Relations, Communications and Transportation, Economy, Energy, Interior, Public Security Treasury (Customs) and Tourism. Meetings are also planned with officials from the Bank of Mexicoand the Embassy of Canada. The delegation will also meet representatives of the major political parties at the Chamber of Deputies (lower house of Congress), and officials of the United States Embassy. Other planned events include discussions with private sector leaders.

President Felipe Calderon received the delegation in 2008 and a request has been made for a meeting with him at the official residence, “Los Pinos” in 2009.

There will be a special program for companions of delegates who join the mission. This program will include a visit to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupeon Tuesday, the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, the Archeological Zone of Cuicuilco and University City on Wednesday, and the Historic Center of Mexico City on Thursday.

Consul General of Mexico in San Diego Remedios Gomez Arnau and Mexico Business Center Director James Clark are co-leaders of the delegation.  Delegates also include representatives from Los Angeles and Orange Counties as well as San Diego and Baja California.

The Mexico Business Center has negotiated discount hotel rooms and airfares for the delegation. The participation fee for the mission, which includes all meals, meetings, receptions and ground transportation (except airport transfers) is $1300 for delegates and $1000 for companions. For further information and to register for the mission, call (619) 544-1376.