Texas Border Business
Laredo, Texas – IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerald “Gerry” Schwebel participated this week in a mission to Mexico City to meet with leaders of the incoming government of President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The mission was organized by the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, an elite group of U.S. and Mexican leaders whose members address core issues in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The Dialogue is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Schwebel and other representatives met with Dr. Graciela Marquez, the Mexican Economic Minister designee, Alfonso Romo, Chief of Staff designee and Liaison to the Mexican private sector, and officials from the Mexican Foreign Ministry. The visit followed the recent announcement of a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Mexico.
“We’ve seen what NAFTA accomplished for the prosperity of our country, and in particular the border region,” Schwebel said. “The United States cannot abandon its leadership role in international trade.” Schwebel is also a member of the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO), another initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The new agreement represents a modernized trade agreement; and is essential to this country’s continued global leadership. “Do not be fooled; this is not only a trade agreement,” said Dennis E. Nixon, Chairman and CEO of IBC. “In addition to securing jobs and prosperity, this agreement is about being competitive and bringing stability and security to the region. What the United States was able to accomplish in the 20th century is now an opportunity for continued success for the North American continent in the 21st century; but we must work to keep the Americas competitive by advancing trade agreements with all nations in this hemisphere (North and South America) to compete against Asia, Europe, and the emerging nations of Africa. We all look forward to Canada signing on.”
Schwebel is available for expert commentary on the latest developments related to NAFTA and other trade issues.
IBC Bank and Commerce Bank are divisions of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), a $12.0 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 191 facilities and more than 289 ATMs serving 90 communities in Texas and Oklahoma. In 2016, IBC celebrated its 50th anniversary since opening its doors for business in 1966. IBC Bank’s slogan “We Do More” reflects the bank’s dedication to the growth and success of both the customers and the communities it serves. International Bancshares was ranked 19th on Forbes’ prestigious list of 100 Best Banks in America in 2018. MEMBER FDIC / INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION. Visit us on our YouTube channel, IBCBankWeDoMore. More information is available at ibc.com.
