epcounty.com - Border Trade Demonstration Project

El Paso County Secure
Border Trade Demonstration Project
Project Overview
January 30, 2008

Introduction

The Secure Border Trade Demonstration Project was developed in September of 2005 and focuses on expanding visibility into the cross border supply chain by securing manufacturing facilities and monitoring vehicles and cargo moving between Mexico and the U.S. While the project currently focuses on trade between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, it is anticipated that substantial future opportunities exist to expand the project into additional areas along the U.S./Mexico Border which will benefit both nations and their efforts to promote dynamic, cross border commerce.
Project Goal & Overview
Goal
The goal of the Secure Border Trade effort is to heighten security and promote economic development and border trade efficiency by enhancing collaboration between maquiladoras, transporters and border security personnel.
Project Components
There are three major components to the Secure Border Trade Project which focus on the key elements of the border trade industry: trucks, plants and cargo security.
1. Equip three (3) designated "secure" maquiladora sites with monitoring devices (real-time video cameras and communications,etc.) and establish procedures and protocols for the manufacture and loading of goods at each site.
2. Equip thirty (30) designated heavy-duty tractors and trailers with electronic "Bulldog" or similar locking systems that will be continually monitored for tampering as well as equipping the same trucks with GPS tracking and real-time voice communication and operations equipment.
3. Equip one (1) central monitoring facility (selected by participants) with the software and technology sufficient to monitor all vehicles and facets of the supply chain from goods production and loading, to transport, to border crossing and onto destination. The focus of the information gathered and analyzed at this site is to provide a more transparent and comprehensive vision of selected border activities.
Project Status
Project approved by the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board on January 25, 2008. Final approval by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is expected during April of 2008. Following approval by both TXDOT and FHWA, El Paso County will issue a request for proposals to select a vendor to implement the project. Project implementation could occur as soon as August of 2008.
The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has agreed, through a Statement of Understanding, to participate in the Technology Monitoring System Stakeholder Advisory Group along with El Paso County, the Texas Department of Transportation, the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, the City of El Paso and various trade representatives from the U.S. and Mexico.
Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research in El Paso will be retained by El Paso County through an inter-local agreement to develop the Technology Monitoring System, providing system validation and technical oversight. TTI will also serve as a technical advisor and third-party monitor of the selection, implementation and Stakeholder Group processes for the overall project.
Endorsements & Support
Project has been endorsed by:
. Border Legislative Conference
. Border Governors Association
. Trade Organizations
El Paso County Secure Border Trade Demonstration Project
Areas of Potential Assistance
The following are several areas where the municipal government in Ciudad Juarez could provide assistance to effectively implement the Secure Border Demonstration Project:
1. Serve as a joint sponsor with El Paso County to obtain BECC certification for the Secure Border Trade Demonstration Project;
2. As a joint sponsor with El Paso County, seek final approval from the North American Development Bank (NADBank) for financing project expansion;
3. Work with Baker-McKenzie/Ruby Mountain Inc. in obtaining approval of the project as a Kyoto Protocol qualified project. This should be coordinated with efforts at the BECC and NADBank and should include collaboration with the Texas Transportation Institute;
4. Investigate and integrate the current Mexican heavy-duty vehicle scrappage/purchase incentive program (currently understood as a 20K vehicle incentive to vehicle owners) so that this incentive can be integrated with Secure Border Project efforts;
5. Provide liaison and advocacy with Mexican customs officials;
6. Provide liaison and 1. advocacy with selected Mexican private sector interests who would serve as project participants for the effort; and,
7. Publicize the effort within the public sector in Mexico, but particularly with the mayors of other Mexican border cities.