Facing increased competition from the European Union, China and India, a delegation of North American politicians, trade policy diplomats commerce and supply-chain management experts will gather in Kansas City Nov. 30 - December 2 to discuss new development strategies toward improving transportation on the developing mid-continental trade corridor.
The second annual North America Works conference will focus on the impact of transportation infrastructure on North American competitiveness. The event is being sponsored by the Kansas City, Missouri International Affairs and Trade Office and the Council of The Americas/North American Business Committee.
“We are preparing to solicit bold new ideas for the future of this North American trading area that will allow for the seamless movement of goods between our three countries,” said Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes.
Key panelists invited to present include:
o Walter Bastion, deputy secretary, U S Department of Commerce
o Eric Farnsworth, vice president, Council of The Americas
o Ron Lemieux, minister of transportation, Manitoba, Canada
o Hector Márquez Solís, Mexican Ministry of the Economy, NAFTA Washington Office
o Stephen Blank, professor of International Business, Pace University
“A perfect storm is beginning to build that puts North America’s transportation advantage at serious risk; the system is becoming growth limiting,” said Blank “Economic growth in North America is forecast to double the freight coming into U.S. ports and to increase freight shipments by 70 percent during the next decade. Without significant upgrade the system will not meet this challenge.”
Since the passing of the North American Free Trade Agreement 12 years ago, several non-governmental organizations have worked together to promote an integrated and secure multi-modal transportation system between the three countries and improve trade competitiveness.
Two of these developments include the “NAFTA Railway,” which connects Canada with the Mid-Continent United States, Central Mexico and Mexico’s Pacific seaports via railway under the stewardship of the Kansas City Southern Railway and the converted Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base’s development into an inter-modal trade facility.
To register for the conference, visit www.kcmo.org/northamericaworks , or phone the KCMO Office of International Affairs and Trade at (816) 513-3521; or via email at [email protected]