Governors Unite in Binational Conference

AMC News Release 
Media Contact: Nancy Dueñas
Ph: (602) 542-1346
E-mail: nduenas@az.gov
Web: http://www.azmc.org/ 

December 5, 2008
For Immediate Release

 

GOVERNORS UNITE IN BINATIONAL CONFERENCE
Signed binational agreements to improve economic region

HERMOSILLO -Governors Janet Napolitano and Eduardo Bours of Sonora met with members of the Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC) and Comisión Sonora-Arizona (CSA) for a binational conference at the CSA Fall Plenary Session in Hermosillo, Sonora.  This session's theme is Leaders United to Promote 21st Century Economic Development.

"By working together, we have a unique opportunity to put some strategies in place that will benefit the Arizona-Sonora region and develop the region into the economic powerhouse of the 21st century," Governor Napolitano said. 

During this year's plenary session, the following agreements were signed. 

  • Professional Workers Agreement - This agreement will establish a database of skilled Sonoran professionals, who are prescreened and eligible to receive professional employment visas. Arizona companies looking for workers not readily available in Arizona will have access to the database.
  • Anti-Human Trafficking Agreement - This will establish a binational human trafficking coordinating council - the first of its kind in the southwestern U.S.-Mexico border region. This council will help make legislative recommendations to toughen the state's stance on human tracking. 
  • Health Agreement - This agreement will establish an electronic system to exchange information concerning diseases of binational public health importance along the Arizona-Sonora border.

Governors Napolitano and Bours also announced a public-private partnership to expand the Lukeville/Sonoyta port of entry from three lanes to five lanes - accommodating the growing number of travelers. Additionally, Southwest Ambulance donated six ambulances to the state of Sonora. 

Approximately 500 people attend these semiannual plenary sessions.  Governors Napolitano and Bours meet with public and private sector business leaders, legislators, policy influencers and community leaders from Arizona and Sonora to connect communities, change business and affect state policy enhancing the economy and quality of life in the Arizona-Sonora region.

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The Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC) is connecting communities and changing business in the Arizona-Sonora region.  For media information, please contact Nancy Dueñas, director of marketing and communications for the Arizona-Mexico Commission at (602) 542-1346, or by e-mail at nduenas@az.gov.  We are the bridge between cross-border entities of common interest in the governmental, business and academic communities.  Visit the AMC online at http://www.azmc.org/.