Town Hall Meeting Set at TAMIU to Discuss Global Economic Crisis

The dilemma of the worsening global economic crisis will be the subject of a first-ever town hall meeting at Texas A&M International University on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Western Hemispheric Trade Center Fernando A. Salinas Room (WHTC 111).

Admission is free of charge and open to all.

“The Global Financial Crisis - from Wall Street to the Streets of Laredo,” will offer a round-table style discussion by TAMIU faculty and guest speakers, all focused on understanding the Laredo ramifications of today’s headlines for world markets near and far.

Dr. Tagi Sagafi–nejad, A. R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor and director of the Texas Center for Border Economics and Enterprise Development (TCBEED) and moderator for the event, said the initiative comes as a response to community inquiries.

“Since the aggressive downturn in the global economy, our professors, like our community business leaders, are routinely being asked for their opinion and guidance as everyone tries to understand the impact, estimate short-term losses, anticipate long-term gains and learn ways that we can all weather the storms ahead,” Dr. Sagafi-nejad said.

He noted that while many are frightened by the day’s headlines and newscasts, both present opportunities to understand and prepare for the future.

“Indeed, these are frightening times and while we may not be able to dispel the fear that abounds, we can work to establish a better framework for understanding and planning for the future,” Sagafi-nejad explained.

Panelists will discuss the origins and causes of the crisis; oil, energy and inflation; impacts on the US-Mexico border economy, housing market, retail sales and banking and useful strategies for consumers, employers and businesses.

Panelists will include: Dr. Jacky So, TAMIU’s dean of the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, and LNB/BBVA Professor of International Finance; Dr. William Gruben, TAMIU Killam Distinguished Professor of Economics and director of the PhD Program in International Business; Alejandro Cabezut, president, Wells Fargo–Laredo, Edward Whitworth, regional senior vice president, LNB/Compass/BBVA, and Daniel Hastings, president and owner, Daniel B. Hastings, Inc.

Panelists will offer brief remarks tied to their academic specialty or business focus and audience members will have a chance to question and discuss issues with panelists.

Co-sponsors are: the Laredo Development Foundation, LNB/Compass/BBVA, and Wells Fargo Bank.
For additional information, please contact Amy Palacios, data and information specialist, TCBEED, at 326.2820.

University business hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu