Developing new strategies for security challenges.

With increased tensions along the U.S./Mexico border due to gang-related violence, the topic of security has garnered increased attention as a critical theme that touches all levels of Mexican society, including the private sector. The Security Committee at AMCHAM is an important venue for executives to come together and share input for the purposes of developing creative strategies for security challenges.

Comprised of AMCHAM member companies involved in security or interested in contributing to the dialogue, the Security Committee deals with issues affecting the safety and well-being of companies operating in Mexico. The Committee recently convened for their monthly meeting and enjoyed a presentation from Maria Elena Morera, the well-known and influential leader of Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia (Mexico United against Crime).

Apart from the work being conducted within Mexican security circles, the Security Committee is also expanding its focus to cover topics dealing with Homeland Security in the United States. Under the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) signed earlier this year in Waco, TX between presidents George W. Bush and Vicente Fox as well as Canadian prime minister Paul Martin, Homeland Security and international commerce now enjoy their own forum within the trilateral agenda.

The SPP strives to find ways to strengthen border security while promoting greater trade between the three Nafta countries. Homeland Security issues and how they affect the flow of legitimate commerce are analyzed within the SPP in order to find solutions to the shared challenge of tightening border security while spurring trade.

As part of the Security Committee's efforts, AMCHAM staff have recently coordinated efforts with the Homeland Security division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Addressing issues on behalf of the member companies executives, AMCHAM staff attend meetings with top Department of Homeland Security officials in order to remain on the cutting edge of Homeland Security policies and represent the views of companies operating in Mexico.

Border security, and its effects both on the safety of the neighboring countries as well as the expediency of commercial transport, is an issue that will continue to resonate deeply with companies operating in Mexico for the foreseeable future.