MONTERREY, Nuevo León – McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos has signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Monterrey that he believes will boost economic growth and business development, support small and medium international enterprises, expand entrepreneurship, and foster international business mentorship.
Also signing the MOU were the Iván Rivas, Nuevo León’s secretary of economy of the State of Nuevo Leon, Andrés Franco Zaldívar, director general of Consejo Empresarial Mexicano de Comercio Exterior, Inversión y Tecnología (COMCE Noreste), Sandra Gonzalez, secretary of international relations for the Universidad Autónoma De Nuevo León (UANL), and Eugenio Jose Reyes Guzmán, director of World Trade Center –Monterrey.
Isaac Tawil, the incoming city manager of McAllen, was present for the signing.
“This MOU is a testament to a shared commitment to collaborate in the areas of economic growth and development, international commerce and trade, and international business development. It also underscores the city's joint efforts to promote efficient exports through the strategic use of the Anzalduas International Bridge,” said the City of McAllen, in a press release.
In early 2025 Anzalduas International Bridge will open for northbound cargo, thanks to an $88 million expansion project. “This development that will significantly enhance our capacity for facilitating exports of dried goods to U.S. markets,” the City of McAllen said.
The press release points out that COMCE Noreste's membership extends to the states of Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.
“Together, the City and COMCE Noreste aim to streamline exports through our state-of-the-art port of entry, which currently processes over 44,000 empty trucks traveling southbound.”
The City of McAllen praised the leadership of the Mexican Council for Foreign Trade, Investment, and Technology (COMCE Noreste). The City said the organization has been instrumental in promoting Mexico's exports and integrating small and midsize companies into U.S. markets.
“Our partnership with this organization acknowledges the value of collaboration in facilitating two-way trade and safeguarding the supply chain, streamlining the entry of goods through our Anzalduas port of entry,” the press release states.
“International trade and commerce are the backbone of border communities like McAllen and are integral to regional economic development. Today's agreement with COMCE Noreste underscores the importance of solid business relationships in boosting two-way trade.”
City leaders believe the MOU will also position McAllen as the prime business location in South Texas for World Trade Center's members seeking to expand into U.S. markets.
“McAllen's stable market conditions, strong retail dominance, and diversified market make it an ideal choice for small and midsize enterprises. The strategic location and excellent infrastructure, including two ports of entry and an international airport, offer numerous opportunities for businesses to expand into other U.S. markets,” a city press release stated.
“As the economic hub of the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen is one of the most welcoming communities for international businesses seeking to integrate into global markets.
“This significant partnership brings mutual benefits, such as facilitating business and commercial connections with public and private sector institutions and potential partnerships with other relevant stakeholders, including the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation which play an essential role in McAllen’s economic landscape.”
