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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Two day-long symposium dedicated to bringing trade from Central America to Laredo

 (Sept. 7, 2010, Laredo, TX)  The City of Laredo is continuing on its mission to help boost its position as the nation’s number one inland port by welcoming Costa Rican government officials and members of the business community to the Gateway City for two days of meetings, starting  tomorrow, Wednesday, September 8, 2010, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the City of Laredo El Portal Conference Room, so that they may discover the Port of Laredo’s efficiencies and lower costs of handling trade from around the globe.  Among those attending will be Fernando Ocampo Sanchez, Vice-Minister of Exterior Commerce and Monica Araya, President of the Federation of Central American Export Associations.  Additionally, members of Laredo’s private sector have been invited to attend, as well.

 “Laredo is the premier location for trade from throughout the Western Hemisphere to enter,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas.  “Our expertise and position in the global trade industry will be highlighted throughout the visit, to help these businesses save time and money on shipping their products through Laredo, all while positively impacting Laredo’s trade industry,” he added.

 This visit by the Costa Rican delegation, is a continuation of the efforts begun late last year by the City of Laredo, Laredo Development Foundation and Texas A&M International University, who first traveled to Central and South American countries, making various presentations to government and trade/exporting officials, touting the benefit, experience and cost-savings by trading through Laredo.  Early in 2010, a four-day conference, with these same Central and South American government and trade officials in Laredo further strengthened those relationships, and more importantly, commitments made to bring trade to Laredo, instead of other ports.

 According to City Manager Carlos Villarreal, the exporters are looking for ways to cut costs and time from shipping goods from other busier U.S. ports of entry.  By offering the exporter the opportunity to ship through Laredo, the product arrives to U.S. destination points faster and cheaper.

 “We are not trying to take business from other ports,” said Villarreal.  “Our goal is to help these Central American exporters use smarter, faster, less expensive trade port options, by utilizing Laredo as part of their total distribution network.”

 Thanks to NAFTA, the Port of Laredo has increased exponentially in its role in the trade industry.  Laredo is the nation’s number one inland port, owning four international bridges, two specifically reserved for commercial vehicles.   Currently, approximately 13,000 trucks – about 40% of all U.S./Mexico trade – crosses through Laredo.    Additionally, Laredo is the sixth largest commercial/customs district in the United States, generating more than $173 billion in international trade annually.  As the eighth largest air cargo hub in the Americas, the Laredo International Airport has seen $150 million of infrastructure improvements in the past few years. Over 1,200 rail cars pass through Laredo per day, making Laredo the number one railroad interchange point on the U.S./Mexico border, as well.

 With the recent passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), Laredo hopes to entice the Central American countries to trade through Laredo, as well.