2003-2004 Western Hemispheric Trade Keynote Speaker Series Starts Sept. 23

NAFTA and its effect on area businesses will be the focus of the first lecture in the Texas A&M International University 2003-2004 Western Hemispheric Trade Keynote Speaker Series.

Offered by the College of Business Administration's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (CSWHT), the lecture will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23 in the Western Hemispheric Trade Building, room 111. The event is free and open to the public.

Keith R. Phillips, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch, will discuss "NAFTA and its Impact on Border Business Cycles."

Virginia Vincent, associate director of the CSWHT, said that attendees will get an insiders' view of the economic ramifications of NAFTA.

"Participants will learn about leading indexes and economic indicators for Texas and Mexico, which Mr. Phillips developed. He will also help us analyze current business conditions for the two areas as well," explained Vincent, " He is responsible for economic forecasting at the Dallas Fed and is a contributing member of the Western Blue Chip Economic Forecasting Group. He was recognized by this group as the most accurate Texas forecaster for four of the past six years."

Vincent said the CSWHT plans on having a keynote speaker once a month from September 2003 through April 2004. All events will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 116, unless otherwise noted.

The schedule is as follows:

* Sept 23. "NAFTA and its Impact on Border Business Cycles" Keith R. Phillips, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch, WHTC, room 111.

* Oct. 27. "NAFTA at 10: Looking Back, Looking Ahead" Daniel T. Griswold, Center for Trade Policy Studies, Cato Institute, Washington, D.C.

* Nov. 11. "Mexico: A Competitive Location" Raul Urteaga-Trani, NAFTA and Trade Office, Embassy of Mexico, Washington, D.C.

* Dec. 3 "Development of Maritime Transportation in the Western Hemisphere" Leigh B. Boske, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, WHTC, room 104.

* Jan. 26 "NAFTA: Progress & Prospects for Agriculture" C. Parr Rosson, III, Center for North American Studies, Texas A&M University.

* Feb. 10 "The Convergence of Politics and Economics: The Future of Mexican Competitiveness" David W. Eaton, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM).

* March 10 "US-Mexico Migration" Phillip Martin, UC Comparative Immigration and Integration Program, University of California, Davis.

* April 1 "The Impact of Demographic Change on the Texas Border" Steve Murdock, Department of Rural Sociology, Texas A&M University.

* April 19 "Economic Integration of the Americas" Chandler Stolp, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas.
Vincent explained the Series was created to meet the needs of the community.

"The Series is now in its third year and has evolved from an occasional series to a monthly lecture series aimed at shedding light through expert lectures on the many aspects of trade in our hemisphere. The Series presents practical and targeted lectures imparted by distinguished leaders, recognized experts and outstanding scholars in the trade and international business arenas," she said.

For more information about any of the lectures in the series, please contact Vincent at 326.2820, visit offices in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 206, or e-mail cswht@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.