Strategic Collaboration for Economic Development: Insights from the Roma, Texas Summit

Business leaders, transporters, customs agents, and authorities from Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and Texas gathered to drive economic and logistical development in the binational region at the "Código 54/2/83" meeting in Roma, Texas.

Claudia Lagos, the International Trade Manager and Border Planning Division Head at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), highlighted a 728% growth in trade between Texas and Mexico over the past 30 years. She emphasized the strategic importance of the Tamaulipas and Nuevo León border for the movement of goods. Lagos pointed out that, although the United States has various commercial ports of entry, the Port of Roma, including the cities of Roma, Texas, and Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas, has unique features. These include joint inspections for 100% of import loads and the capability to handle double trailers and overweight units, which is not possible in other regions. She added that these advantages could increase trade values, which in 2023 surpassed 837 million dollars at the Port of Roma.

The open dialogue included participation from Iliana Alamar García, Secretary of Economic Development; Aide García García, Director of Business Liaison in Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas; Alejandro Barrera, Administrator; and Alfonso Ramírez, Assistant Administrator of Roma, Texas.

Barrera elaborated on the joint customs inspection process between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM). He explained, "Agents from both countries review documents and goods in one location, eliminating queues on the Mexican side and maintaining the cold chain for goods, which improves logistical efficiency."

Ramírez noted the recent inauguration of the second CBP inspection module at the Port of Roma. He projected processing up to 50,000 shipments in 2024, representing double-digit growth compared to 2023. "This second inspection module has 12 spaces for refrigerated goods and 10 for dry goods." Additionally, he highlighted the availability of land in the industrial park, with 22 lots in the first phase of construction.

Alamar García explained that the event, the sixth of its kind, aims to promote Texas, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas as a unified region. "These binational meetings are a platform to align economic development efforts and promote our region, which includes Pesquería, Nuevo León, the Tamaulipas river area, and Starr County in Texas. Our goal is to unite and take advantage of current global trends."

The business and productive sectors present at the event showed their interest and commitment to the region's economic development, raising various questions to the speakers. Active communication channels will be established with the participants to follow up on the meeting.