Expatriates Express Confidence in Baja California

By Ron Raposa

About 70 community leaders in Baja California’s expatriate community recently attended the first summit of the "Baja Image Committee." It was organized for foreign residents who want to promote a positive and accurate portrait of the region.

The two-day summit, entitled “Building Baja’s Tomorrows Today,” was held June 8th and 9th at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, Mexico, which provided free lodging and meals for those attending.

The event was a response to requests from many of the thousands of expats who live in the region. Many have expressed a desire to do more to help convey an accurate picture of life in Baja California, especially to people living in the United States.

The summit featured testimonials from many of those residents, including some who said reports of scattered drug-related violence in recent years had made some friends and relatives reluctant to visit.

Those concerns are considered a large factor in the decline in tourism and visitors over the past several years, although a strong rebound was noted this past Easter and Memorial Day weekend, the traditional beginning of the summer season.

The summit included a panel discussion, as well as presentations on methods of gathering and distributing accurate and positive information, plus using social networks.

Hugo Torres, head of the Baja Image Committee and a former Rosarito mayor, said that “always telling the truth” is critical for such efforts to succeed. It is essential that government officials work hard to correct any problems that do exist, he added.

Baja California State Tourism Secretary Juan Tintos and Arturo Martinez, director of visitor assistance, told of government efforts to make visitors more comfortable and welcome, including the 078 assistance number which is in operation 24 hours day seven days a week.

Steven Kashkett, U.S. Consul General for Baja California, also attended to give an off-the-record briefing.

Rosarito resident Ken Bell, who leads the expatriate committee of the Baja Image Committee, pointed out that much work remains after the summit to accomplish goals that have been established.

Bell, as well as Rosarito’s tourism delegate Cesar Rivera, were summit moderators.

Other speakers included Emerson College Professor Gregory Payne, who has established a "Rediscover Rosarito" project that he said can be applied to all of Baja California. “You’re all your own TV networks,” Payne said, referring to the access that everyone has to post videos on YouTube and similar sites.

Chris Hill, of the "Live Mexico" campaign, and representatives of Allison & Partners public relations also spoke.

Expatriate residents from Rosarito, Ensenada, San Felipe and Tijuana who attended the summit are expected to share information and strategies for promoting a full, accurate and positive regional image with others in coming months.

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CABILDEO FAVORABLE PARA LA ZONA ECONÓMICA ESTRATÉGICA: CANACO

CÁMARA NACIONAL DE COMERCIO, SERVICIOS Y TURISMO DE TIJUANA

Prosiguiendo con la labor de cabildeo en las distintas dependencias del Gobierno Federal involucradas con la propuesta de Zona Económica Estratégica (ZEE) para la Región Fronteriza, después de ser planteada al Presidente de la República Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, hoy hubo una reunión en las oficinas del Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), con su Titular, Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortíz Mena, para presentarle el proyecto a efecto de conocer su punto de vista en lo conducente a las atribuciones y facultades que le competen.


En dicha junta de trabajo participaron el Senador de la República por Baja California, Fernando Castro Trenti; el Presidente del Consejo Coordinador Empresarial de Tijuana A.C.; Fernando Otañez Martínez y el Presidente de la Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo de Tijuana, Mario J. Escobedo Carignan,


Además de exponerle las bondades genéricas del proyecto, así como los alcances económicos y ventajas naturales y potenciales que posee la región para su implementación, informó Escobedo Carignan, se comentaron algunos indicadores que alcanzarían resultados muy favorables conforme a la maduración de la ZEE.


Entre ellos, advirtió el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) de Baja California crecería en un 22%, habría un incremento en la ocupación del 12.7% y aumentarían los ingresos tributarios en un 32.5%.


En términos generales dijo causó buena impresión el proyecto, manifestando el Jefe del SAT “que no habría inconveniente de apoyar tan importante iniciativa desde el punto de vista de las medidas que correspondan al ámbito de su competencia”.



También comentó el funcionario federal que en los próximos días procurará una reunión con el Sub-Secretario de Ingresos de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP), José Antonio Meade para intercambiar opiniones y escuchar su postura acerca de la zona.

 Desde esta perspectiva consideró viable arrancar con la primera etapa de Desgravación Arancelaria y Desregulación Administrativa propuesta, tema que en gran medida tendrá que analizarse igualmente con la Secretaria de Economía.

www.bajainvestment.com