|
| BTA elects new chairman for FY 2011 |
Sam Vale Elected to Chair Border Trade Alliance in 2011
The Border Trade Alliance in November opened its fiscal year
 |
| 2011 BTA Chair Sam Vale |
2011 with the election of South Texas businessman Sam Vale to serve as the organization's chair.
Mr. Vale, who last chaired the BTA in 1999, is the president of the Starr-Camargo Bridge Company, which owns the bridge spanning the Rio Grande and connects Rio Grande City, Texas with Camargo, Tamaulipas.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sam Vale as the next chair of the Border Trade Alliance," BTA President Nelson Balido said. "The BTA is fortunate to have as its leader an individual with the vast border experience that Sam brings to the table combined with a steadfast commitment to promoting cross-border trade in North America."
The start of the new fiscal year marks the end of Kathy Neal's term as chair. Ms. Neal was instrumental in leading the BTA through a year of transition while maintaining the organization's reputation for outstanding advocacy on behalf of North America's cross-border trade community.
"We can't thank Kathy Neal enough for her service to the BTA in 2010," Mr. Balido said. "Kathy's steady leadership through the year is what made 2010 a success."
|
| A Call to Action: Saving U.S.-Mexico Trade |
|
BTA Paper Makes Recommendations for Preserving U.S.-Mexico Trade in Face of Mounting Border Violence
 Under the auspices of its Public Policy Committee, the BTA recently released the strategy paper, A Call to Action: Saving U.S.-Mexico Trade, which makes several policy recommendations for preserving healthy cross-border trade between the United States and Mexico in the face of growing drug cartel violence.
The paper's recommendations seek to leverage the Mérida Initiative's aid to Mexico to empower Mexican law enforcement by the establishment of secure trade routes; improving border management by increasing inspectors in the primary lanes at the land border ports of entry; and strengthening Mexico's legal framework by bolstering the country's investigative and prosecutorial abilities.
The BTA will pursue avenues in the next Congress to implement these recommendations.
|
| SBInet |
|
BTA Hosts Roundtable on SBInet in Tucson
The BTA in November hosted a roundtable with key stakeholders in Tucson, Ariz. to discuss SBInet, commonly referred to as the virtual border fence.
 |
| BTA President Nelson Balido discusses SBInet at a Tucson roundtable |
Currently deployed in the areas south of Ajo, Ariz. and Tucson, the system of ground sensors, radar and cameras has aided Border Patrol in the apprehension of thousands of undocumented aliens and the seizure of thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics.
The Department of Homeland Security has sent mixed signals on whether it will follow through with further deployment of the system in the Arizona border region. The discussion hosted by the BTA was an opportunity for the program's contractor to discuss SBInet's progress and field questions from the state representatives, state senators, congressional staff and county officials in attendance.
|
| BTA committees |
|
BTA Committees Ramp Up for 2011, Prepare for 112th Congress
The BTA's issue committees are in the midst of preparing their business plans for 2011, which will serve as the organization's roadmap for advocating for the cross-border trade community before the next Congress.
The 2011 BTA issue committees are:
Security and Trade – This committee will take responsibility for crafting policy positions on issues relating to supply chain security, cargo policies and procedures at the land border ports of entry and interfacing with Customs and Border Protection.
Transportation: This committee will monitor and make policy recommendations relating to critical border transportation-related funding streams such as the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program and the National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program as well as work to promote projects that improve transportation efficiency across international borders and in trade corridors.
C-TPAT Subcommittee: This subcommittee of the Security and Trade Committee will focus on crafting recommendations for improving the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. This effort comes on the heels of BTA's release of a recommendations paper for improving C-TPAT in September. The subcommittee will be chaired by BTA's immediate past chair, Kathy Neal.
If you are interested in participating in any of the above committees, send an e-mail indicating your interest to Garrick Taylor. |
|
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.
|
|
|
| Seen and Heard |
 |
|
|
| Quick Links |
|
|
| Staff contacts |
| Nelson Balido
President
Policy and Communications
|
|
|
