TIJUANA.- The mayors of the so-called Cali-Baja Region, Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazaran and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, sat down together for the first time at a recent conference hosted by Tijuana Innovadora to talk about the binational relationship and future for the two cities. They discussed various topic of great relevance to both cities, and opportunities for development that could be taken advantage of with the collaboration of both sides.

During more than an hour, the two mayors sat down to discuss important issues, with the conversation moderated by national journalist Lilly Tellez. The mayors discussed tourism, education, commerce, infastructure, water supply, and the border region's image around the world and according to the very government in the U.S. in Mexico.

Innovation and Entrepreneurs

Faulconer stated the importance of promoting the idea of near-sourcing, where companies have their manufacturing operations in Tijuana instead of outsourcing to countries like China, given that Mexico is competitive in terms of cost of labor on a global scale in may sectors. He also told the audience stories he has heard of companies that were impressed by the level of local manufacturing in Tijuana.

Faster border crossing is only the beginning

With the vehicle border crossing now averaging under thirty minutes, the next step is to take advantage of this improved flow and improve it further. The moderator noted that, ironically, it now may take less time to cross from Mexico to the U.S. than viceversa, to which Faulconer responded that work is in the process to try the traffic going into Mexico too, especially in the Otay Mesa cargo border crossing.

Faulconer also highlighted the importance of the proposed binational railway, and the need to increase the pressure on the U.S. side to reactivate the rail line, to create more competitiveness for the region.

Taking advantage of the shorter border wait times, both Mayors also discussed the tourism possibilities in the region, with Faulconer expressing how beautiful the Baja coast is and the new surge in the culinary sector in Tijuana.

The need to promote the entire region more

"We do not need to knock on doors, we need to knock them down" said Mayor Astiazaran when discussing his visits to the capital, stating that sometimes they do not understand how Baja California needs to compete with one of the larges economies in the world, the State of California. In order for Baja California to be competitive, the state needs to receive more benefits from the federal government, as do its residents and companies.

Binational relationship is "just getting started"

The San Diego Mayor states that the binational relationship is just being created, and there are so many economic opportunities, and both Mayors agree that it is essential to institutionalize this binational relationship so that they do not vary from administration to administration. Faulconer indicated that the San Diego Mayor is seeking to establish this relationship via a memorandum that would establish monthly meetings between the equivalent departments of both cities.

One of the questions from an audience member to the Mayors was the issue of homelessness, not only in downtown San Diego but also in Tijuana's river zone. Faulconer stated that in recent days, he had approved greater funding for support programs, and Astiazaran indicated that they have received greater federal resources to rehabilitate addicts living on the streets of Tijuana, and train them for employment.

During a press conference after the discussion, the mayors indicated that the next Tijuana Innovadora will be completely binational, with events on both sides of the border. They also discussed topics such the railway, and Mayor Astiazaran thanked Mayor Faulconer for participating in the event and "being the attorney of Tijuana in San Diego" alluding that he is a great promoter of the region.

jose.sanchez@sandiegored.com

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