McAllen's MXLAN Festival Forges New Business Frontiers with Sister Cities

McAllen, Texas played host to diverse business leaders, organizations, and authorities from its sister cities in Mexico: Apodaca, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Puerto Vallarta, and Ciudad Victoria, through the first commercial mission of the MXLAN festival.

The event marked a new direction in the 2024 edition of MXLAN, forging new commercial and business ties through presentations, conferences, and networking sessions. Discussions centered around expanding businesses from Mexico to the United States, bilateral collaboration opportunities, supportive business chambers, as well as growth and linkage opportunities to bolster the productive sector.

McAllen's sister cities also received guidance on the export and import of products and participated in competitions to hone their commercial presentation skills. "McAllen's growth cannot be understood without the relationship we have with Mexico. Welcoming our sister cities increases opportunities to create businesses, collaborate, bring jobs, and mutually strengthen ourselves," emphasized Javier Villalobos, Mayor of McAllen, Texas.

The processes and importation facilities enabling Mexican businesses to transport their goods to the United States were among the most discussed topics. Carlos Rodríguez, Director of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Hidalgo, Texas border port, highlighted the legal framework necessary for a successful process.

Briana Powers, U.S. Consul General in Matamoros, along with Froylan Yescas Cedillo, Mexican Consul in McAllen, welcomed the Mexican attendees. During their addresses, they spoke about the prosperous relationship between both countries to boost trade and the consulate programs aimed at facilitating any process.

Representatives from the sister cities in Mexico included members of the Mexican Council for Foreign Trade (COMCE) from the Northeast, Chihuahua, and Zacatecas regions, the Agri-Food Cluster of Nuevo León, the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas, as well as authorities from the Ministry of Economy in Tamaulipas, the Ministry of Tourism in Zacatecas, the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism in Ciudad Victoria, and Puerto Vallarta.

Meanwhile, McAllen, Texas, highlighted the participation of commissioners, customs agents, universities, lawyers, representatives from the City Council, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA), among other business associations.