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-Editorial
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego have formalized a new phase of binational cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing economic integration and cross-border collaboration. The agreement marks the first formal MOU between the two institutions.
The MOU outlines a strategic framework to strengthen trade, encourage investment, and promote business development across the Cali-Baja region. It includes coordinated efforts to support binational initiatives, organize trade missions, and increase access to entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities on both sides of the border.
“Considering that Mexico is one of San Diego’s main trading partners, with bilateral commerce averaging 85 billion dollars annually, we welcome the signing of this agreement as an opportunity to strengthen trade relations and regional cooperation further,” said Alicia Kerber Palma, Ambassador and Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. She emphasized the agreement’s support for entrepreneurship, particularly recognizing the impact of women entrepreneurs in driving innovation and economic growth.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest member-based chamber on the West Coast, representing over 2,000 businesses and 300,000 jobs in the binational region. The Chamber maintains active business ties in Mexico and leads an annual delegation to Mexico City to advocate for regional economic priorities.
“The San Diego economy does not stop at the border; it thrives because of it,” said Chris Cate, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This agreement deepens our commitment to supporting the region’s dynamic cross-border economy. By working more closely with the Consulate, we can advance shared goals in innovation, infrastructure, sustainability, and economic mobility.”
The agreement also lays the groundwork for continued collaboration on events, policy initiatives, and regional development. While the Chamber and the Consulate have a longstanding history of informal cooperation, this MOU formalizes their joint efforts and coincides with preparations for the Chamber’s upcoming delegation trip to Mexico City later this year.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has long prioritized building strong, collaborative relationships with Mexico, recognizing the region’s shared economy and interconnected future. Through strategic binational efforts, the Chamber actively engages with Mexican government officials, business leaders, and stakeholders to advance policies and projects that benefit both sides of the border. By creating platforms for dialogue and cooperation, the Chamber continues to position the San Diego–Baja California region as a model of cross-border partnership.
One of the Chamber’s most impactful initiatives is its annual advocacy trips to Mexico City, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C., where leaders from both public and private sectors come together to advance binational priorities.
These missions bring together policymakers, business executives, and community leaders to address issues such as trade, infrastructure, border efficiency, and workforce development. Through these high-level exchanges, the Chamber strengthens relationships and ensures the region’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government.