MEXICO CITY — The city of Phoenix will no longer have offices in Mexico, Arizona’s main trading partner. On Wednesday, the City Council voted to shut down the two business liaison offices in Hermosillo, Sonora, and Mexico City.
The offices had been temporarily closed since July, as the contracts to manage them were under review.
Several business organizations like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported reopening the offices, arguing they help bring business and jobs. But arguments about expenses and prioritizing other markets prevailed.
José Andrés García is the former city of Phoenix trade representative in Mexico City, and said the decision was very unfortunate.
“I think we're going to have to hear what the city is going to do in the next months to reactivate the efforts that they already had in Mexico. Phoenix is very important for Mexico, and Mexico is very important for Phoenix’s economy,” García said.
The office in Mexico City had been open for five years, and the one in Hermosillo for three.
