– May 2010 | Border Trade Alliance

– May 2010

The Border Advocate

A Border Trade Alliance newsletter

May 2010

In This Issue

BTA participates in stakeholders meeting with new CBP commissioner

BTA part of Commissioner Bersin's first border visits

BTA heads to Capitol Hill

BTA in the news

C-TPAT forum set for May 13 in El Paso

Issue committees seeking new members

BTA part of Commissioner Bersin's first meeting with private sector stakeholders

Border Trade Alliance Encouraged by First Meeting with New Customs and Border Protection Commissioner

New CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin

The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) in April was part of new Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin's first meeting with trade community stakeholders in Washington, D.C.

BTA President Nelson Balido, who participated in the roundtable with BTA Chair Kathy Neal, walked away impressed from the exchange with the new CBP commissioner.

"We want to thank Commissioner Bersin for reaching out to the Border Trade Alliance for what proved to be a healthy dialogue on the challenges facing the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico border," Balido said. "While BTA takes seriously its role as the cross-border trade community's voice before CBP, this first meeting left us very encouraged that the new commissioner is committed to working with BTA and the rest of the trade community to find solutions to the tough issues facing our borders."

Balido said he was heartened to hear from the commissioner his desire to integrate the pursuit of trade facilitation and security.

"BTA was pleased to hear that this commissioner believes security and trade promotion must go hand in hand," Balido said. "But the private sector will be holding CBP accountable. Staffing levels at the land border ports of entry are still woefully inadequate, and outmoded border infrastructure is hindering trade throughput."

The idea of pursing "21st century border" strategy was discussed at the meeting, Balido said.

"The BTA was happy to hear that the commissioner shares our organization's desire for more modernized border processes, such as account-based management and single entry-exit transactions," Balido said. "We look forward to working with CBP and Commissioner Bersin to foster a border environment that is secure while being friendly to trade and travel."

Commissioner makes first border trip, meets with BTA

Fresh off his appointment as Customs and Border Protection commissioner, Alan Bersin made two trips to the border in late April to meet with stakeholders in the cross-border trade community, and BTA was at the table.

First in Laredo and then in El Paso, Commissioner Bersin outlined his vision for the border.

"This is a new future that we need to build togetether," Bersin said in Laredo.

BTA President Nelson Balido was at both stops, and was joined by BTA

CBP Commissioner Bersin meets with BTA and other stakeholders in El Paso

Chair Kathy Neal and board member Jane Shang in El Paso.

Prior to the El Paso meeting, Rep. Silvestre Reyes tapped BTA to come up with a list of recommendations for the new commissioner to help facilitate trade.

BTA's recommendations, which were voiced in the meetings with Commisisoner Bersin, included establishing incentives for frontline inspectors who help facilitiate legitimate trade and travel, as well as creating more transparency in the post-incident analysis process for C-TPAT users who self-report a possible security breach.

BTA on Capitol Hill makes case for increased staff levels at ports of entry

The BTA was on Capitol Hill in April carrying the pro-trade message to Members of Congress and their staff as well as key committees.

Capitol

In their meetings, BTA Chair Kathy Neal and President Nelson Balido discussed the need for Congress to pass legislation - such as bills proposed by Rep. Silvestre Reyes and Sen. John Cornyn - that increases funding for improved staffing among primary lane inspectors at the land border ports of entry

Also while in Washington, BTA sat down with CBP's director of C-TPAT, Bradd Skinner, to discuss that program's continued growth and recommendations we're hearing from the trade community that could improve trade efficiency and security.

BTA also met with Hacienda's representative at the Mexican Embassy to discuss what the Mexican government is doing to advance trade across the U.S.-Mexico border.

About the Border Trade Alliance

Founded in 1986, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that serves as a forum for participants to address key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America. Working with entities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the BTA advocates on behalf of policies and initiatives designed to improve border affairs and trade relations among the three nations.

Our mission is to initiate, monitor and influence public policy and private sector initiatives for the facilitation of international trade and commerce through advocacy, education, issue development, research and analysis, and strategic planning.

BTA in the news

The Center for American Progress cited the BTA in its April 16 Idea of the Day.

The Center agreed with BTA's position that despite the setbacks experienced by SBInet, the U.S. should not seek to rely solely on physical barriers for border security. As BTA wrote to DHS Sec. Napolitano in March, "technology holds great promise for securing our borders by acting as a force multiplier for our understaffed border agencies without having to devote hundreds of millions of dollars to physical barriers of dubious effectiveness."

C-TPAT Forum in El Paso May 13, 2010

The Border Trade Alliance is hosting a meeting in El Paso with C-TPAT Director Bradd Skinner on May 13 at the Wyndham Hotel that will also include a facilitated discussion designed to produce recommendations for CBP to help improve the program.

In an effort to promote good dialogue, seating is limited. Please contact Nelson Balido for more details on this special event.

BTA committees seeking new members

The BTA's three issue committees are seeking new members.

The committees are:

- Security and Trade

- Transportation

- Agribusiness and Natural Resources

If you have an interest in helping to craft BTA policy, e-mail Garrick Taylor for more information.

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