American Chamber Mexico hosts evening reception at IBC Bank Brownsville

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The national president of the American Chamber Mexico says RioPlex will become one of the most powerful regions economically in the world.

Carlos Garcia, who is based in Mexico City, spoke at an evening reception AmCham hosted at IBC Bank in Brownsville. He said he had not been to the Rio Grande Valley for several years. He said he was “blown away” but what he saw.

“It's been a real, real pleasure being here. It's been, I think, six or seven years since I've been to the RioPlex area - we’ve got to start getting used to using that brand. And it's amazing. It's amazing what's happening,” Garcia said.

“We had the good fortune of touring SpaceX this morning, early, and I was blown away. There are a couple engineers back there, fellow Michigan Wolverines, who are amazing. I feel like SpaceX is changing the world and space and outer space, and with the port, everything that's happening at the port, it's great to be a part of it.”

Garcia and other members of AmCham had toured the Port of Brownsville and SpaceX in the morning. In the afternoon the chamber held a private, by invitation only, gathering at the Brownsville Events Center. The event was titled US-Mexico Leaders’ Summit: Binational High-Level Dialogue.

Among those giving the opening remarks were Brownsville Mayor John Cowen and Roberto Velasco from Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the guest speakers were Adriana Cruz, executive director of economic development and tourism for Gov. Greg Abbott’s Office, Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, and state Sen. Morgan LaMantia.

“We're very excited at AmCham to join forces with Joaquin and RioPlex to really promote bilateral trade. Well, trilateral trade with Canada as well,” Garcia said, at the evening reception.

The “Joaquin” Garcia was referring to was Joaquin Spamer, a member of the board for AmCham’s northeast chapter in Monterrey.

“As I mentioned earlier this morning, I'm convinced that working together, we're going to solve our same challenges. And this region is going to be the most powerful economic region in the world,” Garcia said.

Earlier, Garcia had listened to a presentation on RioPlex from Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force leader Mario Reyna. Reyna had pointed out that RioPlex is a marketing effort to attract more businesses and high-paying jobs to the region. He said the campaign came about through discussions on how to tackle poverty in the county. Garcia said Mexico, too, suffers from poverty.

“I think it's amazing what you guys are doing with RioPlex. because one of the things in Mexico we've struggled with is economic prosperity across the board. In Mexico, we still have 40-something percent of the population living in poverty. I think that's a crime, and we need to work on that,” Garcia said.

“And so, we share that vision. And it's a vision that we really have to share across North America. So, I applaud you. Thank you again for wonderful day, and for this unbelievable event.”

Another speaker at the reception was Lorenzo Barrera, president of the American Chamber Mexico northeast chapter in Monterrey.

Editor’s Note: Here is an audio recording of the remarks given by Garcia, Barrera, and Spamer at the AmCham reception.

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