KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Luis Ernesto Derbez worked the
reception room with polished diplomatic ease: readily shaking hands, dutifully
listening to requests and then drawing big smiles with his humor. It was, as
if he -- the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs -- was right at home.
Derbez, along with the Mexican Ambassador and some 48 consuls general to
the United States, were being entertained in the Kansas City, Missouri home of
Mayor Kay Barnes who welcomed them to the heart of North America. "Mi casa es
su casa!" the mayor proclaimed to the applause of her appreciative guests.
The socializing was the precursor to the Mexicans' official consulate
business during their three-day session held for the first time in Kansas City
this week. A major highlight of the session was their official endorsement of
a new proposed North American trade corridor between their country, Kansas
City and Canada.
"Right now there is some $400 billion in trade between Mexico and the
United States," Derbez said Thursday after holding a private meeting with
Barnes, Kansas City Councilwoman Bonnie Sue Cooper and City Manager Wayne A.
Cauthen. Derbez said within two to five years -- with the advent of the
Kansas City-based customs office and the new trade corridor -- net trade
between the two countries is likely to double.
Under the plan, Kansas City's rail, highway transportation and foreign
trade warehousing groups would partner with their Mexican counterparts to
market themselves jointly to Asian, Central American and other international
businesses looking to cut their distribution times and costs. Goods now face
long delays, up to three weeks at its worst, at capacity-strained ports in
Long Beach and Oakland, Calif., and Seattle.
Trade officials believe the proposed international trade corridor can use
Mexican Pacific Coast deepwater ports to accept goods that would then be
railroaded or trucked to Kansas City for final distribution across North
America.
The plan is dependent on pending U.S. State Department action to allow
Mexico to establish its first foreign-based customs office in Kansas City.
Officials from the city and the Mexican Foreign Affairs office expect that to
happen by October.
"We're making history here," said Cooper, a leader of the city's decade-
long effort to expand trade with Mexico. "This is going to create jobs and
have an unrivaled economic impact on our city," she said.
Derbez agreed. "Kansas City is the entry point, or hub, that will allow
us to become an even bigger part of the United States economy," said the
foreign affairs secretary (counterpart to the U.S. Secretary of State).
"Everything that a major distribution center needs -- air cargo capacity,
highways, railways -- are all in place here in Kansas City," Derbez said. "We
are very interested in doing business together."
Derbez and Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Carlos de Icaza were joined by
48 consuls general representing cities across the country including Boston,
Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles among others.
During their work session the diplomats discussed the growing influence of
Mexican migrants on Mexican socio-economic development, immigration policies,
border security and the further promotion of cultural and tourism
opportunities during their work session which will continue through Friday at
Kansas City's historic Fairmont Hotel.
One of the issues discussed involved a measure that passed the Mexican
Chamber of Deputies (counterpart to the U.S. House of Representatives) this
week which would give some 10 million Mexicans and Mexican Americans living
and working in the United States the right to vote in Mexico's presidential
elections. The bill is expected to pass the Mexican Senate and be signed into
law by President Vicente Fox and thus have a significant impact on that
country's democratic process.
About Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri is located within 250 miles of both the population
and geographic centers of the United States and is often referred to as the
"Heart of America." With a metro population of more than 2.5 million people,
Kansas City is known for its jazz and blues history, grand parks, European-
styled boulevards and fountains, as well as its trademark barbecue.
The city is now in the midst of its largest downtown redevelopment in the
past 75 years. Nearly $4 billion is being spent on new construction,
renovation and remodeling of the downtown core and several surrounding areas.
The new construction will include a new multi-purpose arena, an entertainment
district, several major office buildings and housing.
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