LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Alex Meyer,

(Laredo, Texas)-United South Magnet students, together with their teachers Mrs. Claudia Saenz and Clarissa Gonzalez attended the 23rd Annual Logistics and Manufacturing Symposium at Texas A&M International University on September 27th and 28th. The two day symposium focused on topics relating to the dynamic economies of the U.S., Mexico and Canada; and the role of Laredo in ensuring a robust and sustainable environment for commerce. According to Co-Chairs Ivan Rodriguez and Ermilo Richer, “Laredo, along with our “Sister City” Nuevo Laredo, continueto be the #1 trade port along the U.S. Mexico Border.”

The goal of the symposium was to bring “business owners who built important logistics and customs brokerage firms, banks, and real estate companies, to present facts on international trade and industry needs for the next 2-5 years.” The Magnet students also enjoyed keynote speakers Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Maria Luisa Boyce, Senior Adviser to the Commissioner for Trade and Private Sector Engagement and Director for the Office of Trade Relations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Ms. Smith implored students to network with the representatives attending the symposium, and cited the benefits of networking and internship opportunities. She also encouraged the students to study and understand the trends in their area of professional interest. Ms. Boyce highlighted the great importance of NAFTA and the fact that trade between U.S., Mexico and Canada tripled to $946.1 billion by 2008, employment across North America has increased over 40 million jobs and an exchange of about $2.6 billion in goods daily. One of the student attendees (known as Jackie), said that “getting a glimpse at real world experience, and learning about companies and opportunities that we never knew existed in Laredo was amazing.”