Arizona and Chihuahua team up to strengthen the aerospace industry

With the objective of improving and strengthening the commercial and investment relations of the aerospace sector, the state of Arizona will open a liaison office in Chihuahua that will open up new business and exchange opportunities for both states.

Alejandra de la Vega, Secretary of Innovation and Economic Development (SIDE), informed that this new office is the result of the visit of a delegation of the government of the state of Chihuahua, headed by Governor Javier Corral, in March 2019.

The governor and the head of SIDE, as well as businessmen from Chihuahua and Juarez, visited Arizona, where they met with the governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, Congressman Tony Rivero and the president of Arizona State University, Michael Crow.

During the tour, a visit to Chihuahua was determined by the Arizona delegation for March 2020.

Doug Ducey, governor of Arizona, said that the agreement to open the office in Chihuahua allows the creation of a platform to increase foreign direct investment and business opportunities on both sides of the border.

"The constant economic strengthening of Chihuahua continues to reap fruits, yielding results, attracting investment, generating jobs, all for the benefit of our people," Chihuahua governor Javier Corral wrote on social networks, sharing the announcement of his Arizona counterpart.

Ducey also commented that the relationship between Arizona and Mexico is recognized as a national model of cross-border collaboration, within the framework of the ratification of the T-MEC between Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Meanwhile, Alejandra de la Vega reported that the new office will develop a strong cultural and economic relationship between the two states, mainly in the industrial, tourist and commercial areas.

The Arizona government explained that it seeks to serve the largest cluster in the manufacture of original equipment in Mexico, which supplies companies such as Bell Helicopter and Honeywell, as well as 40 more suppliers in the aerospace sector, with parts, equipment and services.

Sandra Watson, president and executive director of the Arizona Commerce Authority, to which the next Office of Commerce and Investment belongs, said in an interview that these new offices will provide better resources focused on increasing bilateral investment.

This implies a considerable business opportunity for Arizona companies in the field of export manufacturing, by filling the critical gaps in the supply chain, he added.

The manager of the Chihuahua office will be Tania Espinoza, who recently managed the state's aerospace cluster, as her experience and contacts in the sector represent an incentive in what is a key area of ​​the industry in Arizona, explained Governor Ducey's Office .

The SIDE noted that the collaboration between the two states is verified with the new direct flight between Phoenix and the city of Chihuahua.