(The following story by Francisco Diaz appeared on the Laredo Sun website on February 28, 2010.)
LAREDO, Texas — The local authorities considered that after the conclusion of the First Business Round Table with Central America, the possibility to establish a product distribution center for that region in Laredo is greater than ever.
“There were a total of 330 business meetings between businessmen and exporters of different Central American countries with representatives of large United States’ companies,” Mayor Raul Salinas explained.
He also mentioned that Laredo demonstrated that it has the necessary infrastructure to become a great commercial platform for the Central American products that are directed to the Texas market and the market of the central United States.
“We showed them the routes that we’ve already established, the services we can offer them and the great capacity and experience that we have in international trade,” Salinas said.
Mayor Salinas considered that the maritime ports of Lazaro Cardenas and Veracruz, which both connect to Laredo via Kansas City Southern rail services, will be vital to convince Central America to do business in Laredo.
“We also have an airport with great capacity and three tracks and more than 30 air cargo companies,” he added.
Eduardo Garza Robles, from the Uni Trade customs brokerage, was the one who had the vision to contact the Central American market, and he believes that the three day business meeting in Laredo has opened new paths towards the region’s economic development.
He reassured that this project will soon become a reality, and that it will bring greater economic opportunities for Los Dos Laredo, it will be like an oxygen tank in times of crisis.
Mike Garza, City Councilman District I and Mayor Pro Tempore, considered that this First Business Round Table with Central America sowed a seed that will soon bear fruit.
“The objective is for us to be prepared for when the economy starts giving signs of recovery, in order to maintain Laredo’s position as the leading inland customs port in the nation,” he said.
The three day event attracted businessmen from Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, plus commercial representatives of Peru, Argentina and all the way from Spain.