Yesterday, in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation joined U.S. and Mexican officials for a week-long policy dialogue along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Beginning June 4 in San Diego and Tijuana and concluding on June 8 in El Paso and Monterrey, the delegation will engage local stakeholders in a series of conversations intended to develop policy recommendations to make the U.S.-Mexico border the world standard for security, efficiency, and productivity.

Mexico is the second-largest export market for the United States. Two-way annual trade with Mexico totaling nearly half-a-trillion dollars in 2011 supports six million American jobs. Meanwhile, the United States is Mexico's largest market and biggest source of foreign direct investment.

At the center of the delegation's discussions is the 21st Century Border Management Action Plan. Mexico and the United States are proceeding already with binational efforts under the 2012 version of the Action Plan, contributing to new infrastructure investment at three new ports of entry along the border. Stakeholder engagement over the course of this week will provide input for the 2013 plan.

Already, the U.S. Chamber has provided extensive input to both governments. In 2011, the Chamber teamed with the American Chamber of Commerce of Exico to produce "Steps to a 21st Century U.S.-Mexico Border," making recommendations on security, immigration, trade facilitation, infrastructure, and travel. In May 2012, the Chamber's U.S.-Mexico Leadership Initiative followed up with a broad-based report with a view toward elections in both countries. "Enhancing the U.S.-Mexico Economic Partnership" brought together the business communities in both countries to offer new, cross-cutting recommendations.

Follow the progress of the border delegation throughout the week on Twitter (#borderweek).