TIJUANA, BC- Collaboration between business organizations on both sides of the border is key to strengthening regional competitiveness, said Kenia Zamarripa, vice president of International and Public Affairs of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The official highlighted that these links allow the CaliBaja region to be presented as an integrated and attractive market for new investments.
During the Cali-Baja Business Summit 2025—organized by the Economic and Industrial Development of Tijuana (Deitac/Tijuana EDC) under the leadership of its president, Adriana Eguía—strategic information was shared with authorities, specialists and potential investors on emerging sectors and binational opportunities. Zamarripa highlighted that this type of forum facilitates dialogue around infrastructure, mobility and economic development projects.
The business representative stressed that San Diego and Tijuana must be seen as the same economic platform, with direct access to North America, Latin America and strategic proximity to Asia. He commented that the energy transition opens relevant opportunities for the region, particularly with California regulations, in which Baja California seeks to influence in a coordinated manner.
Zamarripa explained that the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce maintains active alliances with Deitac and other organizations to promote supply chains, border modernization and regional development. Among the results of this cooperation is the agreement signed between Deitac, the Chamber and San Diego EDC, from which various initiatives have emerged, including the Summit itself.
He added that the adoption of artificial intelligence in strategic sectors must be understood as a mechanism to increase productivity and prepare the workforce for new demands.
The vice president indicated that the region faces economic losses close to 2 billion dollars annually due to waiting times at crossings. For this reason, mobility continues to be a priority issue, along with projects such as the expansion of the San Ysidro port, the future operation of Otay II and the incorporation of technology to optimize customs processes.
He recalled that pilot programs that emerged in the region, such as SENTRY, are today applied on the northern and southern border of the United States, which reflects the scope of the binational initiatives. He also mentioned recent efforts to expedite the crossing of students in coordination with UCSD, SDSU and Southwestern College, in addition to projects focused on tourism and labor flow.
Zamarripa stated that CaliBaja’s competitiveness depends on consolidating efficient connectivity based on modern infrastructure, technological investment and replicable models based on local experiences. He reiterated that the coordinated work with Deitac will continue to develop meetings that strengthen the joint vision of the mega region.
Photographs: Courtesy
