President Pena Nieto Hears Needs, Concerns from Tijuana Business Leaders Jill Replogle - KPBS.org
go to original December 13, 2012

Energy and transportation were main concerns among Tijuana business leaders at a meeting with the newly-inaugurated president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto.

High on the list were complaints about high electricity tariffs in Baja California. Businesses there pay more for their electricity than those in other parts of Mexico because the state is not connected to the national grid.

Another concern expressed by local leaders was the lack of a railroad connecting Tijuana with San Diego, according to David Mayagoitia, chair of the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation. He said a commercial rail line would help attract automobile manufacturing to the region.

Mayagoitia also said he hoped Peña Nieto’s administration would make progress on establishing a commercial enterprise zone in the Tijuana border region. Business leaders hope this would make Tijuana more competitive through reduced tariffs and support for commercial innovation.

Mayagoitia said he was impressed with the president’s visit.

“He didn’t come here to give anything away. He came here to listen, so I think that speaks well of the president, right?" he said. "It’s the first time one of them has done that, said, 'Ok, I’ll listen to everything you want.'”

Also while in Tijuana, Peña Nieto inaugurated a music school. The school plans to form youth orchestras in low-income neighborhoods.

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