Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs on April 16 convened via video conference the second Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) meeting of 2020, bringing together stakeholders from throughout the Texas-Mexico border region to advance initiatives to address challenges related to international trade with Mexico.
Following a TxDOT presentation which included an overview of outreach efforts and an economic analysis, Committee members discussed current challenges facing border trade, including the impact of COVID-19. The Committee closed by re-emphasizing the importance of further strengthening communication and coordination between stakeholders on both sides of the border.
The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan (BTMP), expected to be completed in 2020, is designed to identify transportation infrastructure challenges, solicit feedback from stakeholders throughout the border region, and implement long-term strategies for continuing to facilitate cross-border trade. Input gathered at BTAC meetings help to identify areas in which local, state, and U.S. and Mexican federal officials can coordinate to improve efficiency in the movement of freight, goods, and people across Texas’ 28 ports of entry.