1. Program for the Integration of the Northeastern Region of Mexico and its integration with Texas Government of Nuevo León´s State Corporation of Strategic Projects

129. INDEX INDEX I.Background 1.Framework. 2.INVITE Program. 3.Reasons for Regional Integration. II.Regional Characterization 1.Political Agreements 2.Legislative Coordination 3.Socio-Economic Integration 4.Educational-Cultural-Scientific and Technological Integration 5.Logistics Development for Competitivity and Energy III.Conclusion

130. It is the beginning of the era of knowledge; The era of continuous discoveries and scientific and technological innovation; The era of environmental protection; The era of competitive governance and sustainability; The era of new forms of social economic organization; It is the era of open markets and the markets social economies. I.1.-FRAMEWORK I.1.-FRAMEWORK The XXI century presents an unforeseen perspectives that call for audacious decisions

131. To face the challenges of globalization of the new century, the government of Nuevo Leon reengineered the state’s administration, and as a part of it, created the Corporation of Strategic Projects in order to foster and coordinate, among others projects : I.2.- INVITE PROGRAM I.2.- INVITE PROGRAM  The Regional Integration of the Northeastern Region and Texas; and  Recently, we have incorporated the Logistics Development for International Competitiveness: Modern roads and railroads, dried ports, telecommunications and information systems and value added logistics services.  The INVITE Program was instituted as a response to the need of fostering integrated regional economic development in the extended economic basin constituted by Northeastern Mexico and Texas.

132. To implement a new economic integration formula that transcends NAFTA. MISSION MISSION

133. To create a regional economic space with increase and growing competitiveness and higher standards of leading under a global vision. VISION VISION

134. I.3.-REASONS FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION I.3.-REASONS FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION  The process of globalization has produced important results: foster the integration of the global economy and intensify international competition, stimulated regional integration processes in Europe and Asia, as well as the proliferation of Free Trade Agreements.  Today NAFTA is the central axle of the Mexican economy. It is the most important among the more than 40 free trade agreements already signed by Mexico.  The traditional Mexico’s trade deficit disappeared and substituted by a 500% surplus in the first year of NAFTA.  As it was to be expected the rate of trade growth has slowdown in recent years.  The level of Mexico’s global trade with NAFTA has almost reach 300 BMD.  Only in 2004 the trade surplus grew an outstanding rate of 24%.

135. Legislative Cooperation Socio Economic Integration Educational Cultural Scientific and Technological Integration Political Agreements Regional Integration II.-REGIONAL CHARACTERIZATION II.-REGIONAL CHARACTERIZATION Identify and coordinate programs between governments, as well as productive sectors Create a legal framework which offers certainty to regional investment. Strengthen socio- cultural identity and development of knowledge To agree between society, public and private sectors the agreements to foster regional development

136. II.1.-POLÍTICAL AGREEMENTS II.1.-POLÍTICAL AGREEMENTS OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES  To unify criteria between governments, business leaders and society of the region to foster agreements among them and with other national and international public and private institutions.

137. It is necessary to impulse the task of political agreements to the next level trough agreements between entrepreneurs, as well as, state and local governments with the objective to solve the economic and legal boundaries of the different criteria's for the establishment of economic agents in the Northeast Mexico and Texas.

138. II.2.-LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION II.2.-LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION OBJECTIVES  To propose the creation of Regional Development Commissions which develop and incorporate bills in the states congresses which foster the integration of regional development.  Propose the Allocation of economical resources in the state governments budget for Regional Integration.  Create an appropriate legal framework to foster the investments and projects agreed among public and private sectors.  To lead in a legally way the investments and projects to geographic areas and economic sectors agreed according to regional priorities.  This actions focus on the objective of the homologation of Laws and Regulations at state and local level to foster the implementation, in a regional way, of projects, investments and quality certifications where a characteristics seals could be generated.

139. II.3.-SOCIO ECONOMIC INTEGRATION II.3.-SOCIO ECONOMIC INTEGRATION OBJECTIVES  To take the most of comparative and competitive advantages of each member of regional integration.  To rationalize the use of natural resources.  To strength the competitiveness of the region before the national and international economy..  To reduce costs on economics production chains.  To integrate and improve the commercial logistics systems of the region.  To increased the presence of the region on foreign markets.  To improve efficiency and efficacy of public and private investments.  To plan in a regionally way a sustainable urban development.

140. The socio economic integration works trough the installation of the Regional Commissions on strategic themes, which are: Each of the Regional Commissions has, already, 3 strategic projects to develop. - Agriculture - Water - Science and Technology -Logistics and Infrastructure -Economic Development - Education - Energy - Environment - Labor Relationship - Health - Security - Tourism

141. II.4.-EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION II.4.-EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES To configure a regional society which fosters the cultural affinities and unify efforts to develop the science and technologies to create a more competitive region with higher life standards. To intensify scientific and technological exchange. To stimulate joint academic and cultural programs. To consolidate the International City of Knowledge.

142. Nowadays, the Program for the Integration of the Northeastern Region of Mexico and its integration with Texas has been extended with the Logistics for Competitivity and Energy themes for their development in a regional scope. The NEMEX-TEX office with its head offices located in Houston, organized in collaboration with the Northeast States and Texas governments, the first of three workshops of Logistics for Regional Competitiveness on January 2006. The workshop gathered more than 270 companies and more than 400 executives related with goods and services trade between Northeastern Region and Texas. The workshop was divided in 4 worktables : II.5.-LOGISTICS DEVELOPMENT FOR COMPETITIVITY AND ENERGY II.5.-LOGISTICS DEVELOPMENT FOR COMPETITIVITY AND ENERGY

143. In this context, the work and actions within state Legislative groups, plays an important role in the configuration and implementation of regional development strategies The legislative work defines the framework and the rules on the actions of the economic and social agents, furthermore, this must be the complement which helps to impulse and foster competitivity in the states, better administration, as well as improve the social welfare. Conclusion