Arizona and Baja California Forge Closer Ties

PHOENIX, AZ (April 20, 2017) — Arizona and Baja California have entered into an agreement to grow the trade and commercial relationship between both states. Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (“ACA”) and Carlo Humberto Bonfante, Secretary for Economic Development of Baja California (“SEDECO”) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to contribute to the strengthening of the cross-border supply chain in key industry sectors and medical tourism between the two neighboring states.

“As Arizona continues to strengthen and grow our relationships throughout Mexico, we look forward to working collaboratively with Baja California to identify opportunities on both sides of the border,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “I was proud to sign an agreement with Secretary Bonfante, signifying our commitment to exploring these opportunities and advancing the relationship between our two states.”

“On behalf of the Baja California State Government, I would like to express our excitement about the new opportunities that we are building together and that will be beneficial for both of our states,” said Secretary Bonfante. “With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Arizona Commerce Authority and Secretariat of Economic Development of Baja California, we are laying a strong foundation for a broader binational collaboration,” added Secretary Bonfante.

This agreement presents an opportunity for both states to grow the commerce that already exists. “Baja California companies like La Moderna look to Arizona to purchase durhum wheat that is used for making pasta in Mexicali that is then shipped all over the world. This is a perfect example of the ways in which we can work together. It translates into jobs, investment and long-term growth,” stated Jessica Pacheco, President of the Board of Directors of the Arizona-Mexico Commission. The states will work to jointly explore supply chain diversification and find mutual opportunities for economic development and growth between Arizona and Baja California.

Arizona and Baja California share a common border and the distance of the state capitals of the State of Arizona and the State of Baja California is a mere 241 miles (388 kilometers). Both states are proven leaders in a number of industry sectors, including aerospace, medical devices, health care technology, advanced manufacturing, tourism, and mining, among others.

Media Contacts
Ruth Soberanes, Arizona Mexico Commission, (602) 542-1287, [email protected] 
Susan Marie, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1231, [email protected] 

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.