ARIZONA & MEXICO

The top five manufacturing exports from Arizona to Mexico suggest a strong maquiladora (IMMEX)
connection. Arizona’s top manufacturing exports to Mexico are: computer and electronic products;
electrical equipment, machinery (excluding electrical); transportation equipment, and primary metal
manufacturing.
However, gauging from the dollar value of manufacturing exports coming from other states like
Michigan, California and Illinois that use Arizona’s border ports as gateway to Mexico, there are certainly
untapped opportunities for Arizona companies to expand trade relationships with the IMMEX sector.
For example, in 2013, out of total $10.3 billion worth manufacturing exports shipped annually through
Nogales port of entry 34.6 percent originated in Michigan, 7.9 percent in California, and 3 percent in
Illinois. Arizona’s share was 34.6 percent. 7 However, by 2015, Arizona remained the top user of its own
ports with $7.7 billion, followed by California with $1.1 billion. Michigan lost its second place to
California, with its exports to Mexico via Arizona ports falling from $1.4 billion in 2014, to $801.8 million
in 2015. Michigan’s prominence in the list is due in part to its connections with the automobile
manufacturing industry in Sonora, most notably Ford Company in Hermosillo. 8
Sonora Leading Binational Initiatives
Dr. M. Yamilett Martínez, Executive Director, Sonora-Arizona Commission
The relationship between Sonora and Arizona, as an international initiative has a long history; it was first proposed and
established by Governors Paul Fannin and Alvaro Obregón in 1959, with the name “Arizona-México West Coast Trade
Commission and the Committee of Social and Economic Promotion of Sonora-Arizona.” Through the years, it has grown to
what we now know as the Arizona-Mexico in Arizona and the Sonora-Arizona Commission in Sonora.
Ours is an example of a bilateral relationship with a global reputation, not only because of its longevity, but through its
spirit of coordination, it has overcome challenges. We have obtained palpable results such as:
· Sonora-Arizona border master plan to coordinate and plan transport infrastructure.
· Altruistic efforts for the donations of diverse goods and equipment employed in saving the lives of many of Sonora´s
habitants.
· Creation of the Arizona-Mexico Health Foundation
· Creation of the Sonora-Arizona Education Institute
There are great opportunities for strengthening binational commerce of goods and services for our small and medium
businesses. There are many opportunities to stimulate projects in the strategic areas of aerospace, automotive and
manufacturing sectors, industries where we lead in the global economy.
We are interested in advancing the Sonora–Arizona student resident program as this would be of great benefit to our
students; our goal is to foster a bilateral forum of research and innovation. Together, our efforts can continue to succeed
and have a regional impact.
7
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Transborder Freight Data.
8
Source: Alan Hoogasian,” U.S. states use Arizona border ports for exports to Mexico,” (forthcoming), Arizona’s Economy,
http://ebr.eller.arizona.edu, based on U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Transborder
Freight Data
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Vera Pavlakovich-Kochi is senior regional scientist at the University of Arizona’s Eller College, Economic and Business Research
Center, and affiliated faculty in the School of Geography and Regional Development, and the Center for Latin American Studies.
47 • ARIZONA & MEXICO • ARIZONA TOWN HALL • APRIL 2016