Nelson Balido, the Tecma Group of Companies’ vice president of governmental affairs was recenty appointed to a U.S. federal international trade advisory committee that deals specifically with border commerce and Customs issues.

As a member of the International Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) on Customs Matters and Trade Facilitation, Balido will join a group of up to fifty members for the purpose of fulfilling an advisory role to the United States Secretary of Commerce, as well as to the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The committee is particularly active in providing input as it relates to technical advice pertinent to existing and potential barriers to trade, as well as consultation linked to the negotiation of new free trade agreements, as well as changes and implementation issues connected to existing commercial accords. The purpose of the participation of Balido, and his fellow ITAC members, is to lend knowledge and advice that benefit “U.S. businesses, workers and the economy as a whole.”

The Department of Commerce and the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) have created sixteen International Trade Advisory Committees to provide US government officials with private sector expertise and counsel in a multitude of areas related to international trade and commercce. These groups are administered by the International Trade Advisory Center under the auspices of the Trade Act of 1974.

As a member of the committee, Balido was appointed to represent Tecma’s viewpoint as part of the U.S. small and multi-cultural business industry. In additon to his work with the Tecma Group, Nelon Balido chairs the Border Commerce and Security Council, is a past president of the Border Trade Alliance and was appointed to serve on the Homeland Security Advisory Council by Michael Chertoff. His expertise in international trade advisory roles has made him a sought after public speaker, as well as a business contributor to print and on-line trade-related news media and journals, including Fox Latino.  Balido’s appointment to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Customs Matters and Trade Facilities will expire on February, 14, 2018.

Photo by Josh Huskin