Governor Ducey Announces Opening of Arizona-Mexico Trade & Investment Offices in Chihuahua and Guanajuato
PHOENIX (January 24, 2020) — Governor Doug Ducey today announced the opening of two new Arizona Trade & Investment offices in Chihuahua and Guanajuato, Mexico. The new offices are a part of the Arizona Commerce Authority and create a platform for businesses in both countries to increase international trade and foreign direct investment opportunities.
“Arizona’s relationship with Mexico has become recognized as a national model in cross-border collaboration,” said Governor Ducey. “The opening of the new trade offices in Chihuahua and Guanajuato -- along with the recent ratification of the USMCA -- will further advance our relationship with our number one trading partner.”
“Under Governor Ducey’s leadership, Arizona’s mutually-beneficial partnership with Mexico has flourished,” said Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO Sandra Watson. “These new trade offices will provide enhanced resources to increase bilateral trade and investment. I’m grateful to Governor Ducey for his incredible commitment to growing Arizona’s economy, and to Representative Tony Rivero for his leadership in helping establish these offices.”
Guanajuato, Mexico, is part of the economically dynamic Bajio region of Central Mexico. The Arizona Trade & Investment Office in Guanajuato will serve as a regional trade office, assisting the more than 1,200 Arizona aerospace and defense companies in selling into the supply chains in the Bajio region, including Queretaro. Automotive assembly plants also have a large presence in the region, which Arizona may leverage to complement its rapidly growing footprint in automotive manufacturing. Guanajuato’s significant agricultural sector is also an opportunity target market for Arizona companies in the agtech, water tech and aerial unmanned vehicle industries.
Chihuahua, Mexico is the center of the largest cluster of original equipment manufacturers in Mexico, including Bell Helicopter and Honeywell, and over 40 suppliers to the aerospace sector with parts, equipment and services. Manufacturing activities in Chihuahua provide considerable opportunities for Arizona companies. The Arizona Trade & Investment Office in Chihuahua will help Arizona companies to fill critical supply chain gaps in Mexico.
“I am proud to have worked collaboratively with the Arizona Commerce Authority to launch three new trade offices in three months, beginning with Israel in November of 2019 and now Guanajuato and Chihuahua,” said Representative Tony Rivero. “I thank Governor Ducey for his leadership in making Arizona the best state for business, and I am grateful to my colleagues in the legislature for their support in expanding Arizona’s international footprint.”
Mexico is Arizona’s largest trading partner. In 2018, total trade between Arizona and Mexico reached $16.69 billion, accounting for 37.1 percent of Arizona’s international trade with all countries. Between 2013 and 2018, total trade between Arizona and Mexico increased by 18.3%.
In 2014, the Arizona Commerce Authority established its first international Trade & Investment Office in Mexico City, which since has contributed to this export success by connecting Arizona companies, businesses and universities with opportunities in Mexico. In its first four years, the office worked with approximately 70 entities each year. That number increased by more than 50 percent to 107 engagements in FY 19. Already in the first half of FY 20, 69 entities have sought assistance from the office regarding Mexico initiatives and opportunities, putting the state on pace to exceed last year’s number. Since it was established, the Mexico City office has assisted approximately 456 companies.
Media Contact
Ben Petersen, Office of the Arizona Governor, [email protected]
Connie Weber, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected], 602-845-1243
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 @azcommerce.