As for the training of engineers, he said that although both sides are doing an excellent job, it is not enough and a solution driven by President Obama called "The force of 100,000 in the Americas," seeks to increase the flow of university exchanges between US and Latin America, with Mexico playing a key role." The challenge is to bring 100,000 Latino students to US and send 100,000 American students to Latin America.

"It involves a major effort because today there are 16,000 Mexicans studying in the United States and only 4,000 Americans studying in Mexico" stated Andrew Erickson.

A sensitive question that we could not pass up during our interview was how the perception of crime is affecting direct foreign investment in Baja California, to which the US diplomat replied that it has affected less than one would think. "I think there are other factors that are influencing foreign investors, such as quality of life, the perception of corruption in Mexico, and how to take the first step to open a company, etc." But the issue of crime is not, from my point of view, the first obstacle.

Remember, there is an alert in which the US Government asks citizens maximum caution if traveling to certain areas of Baja California, "the alert does not say do not travel to Baja California, it only recommends precautions when driving at night in the northern part of the State, which I think is correct advice," he clarifies, the problem is that people don't read the alert properly.

"Baja California is losing competitiveness due to the absence of a rail network"

In terms of infrastructure, Consul General Erickson mentioned that it is absolutely critical for the mega region's railway to return; currently Baja California is losing competitiveness compared to other Mexican states due to the lack of a rail network. "Today, the center of Mexico is being much more competitive in heavy industries, given that it is expanding its railway infrastructure in order to respond to the growth of product movement in the automobile sector".

"As long as the Baja California Railroad and Pacific Imperial Railroad partners fail to agree to promote a cross-border rail link that will connect the Tijuana maquiladora industry to California through Tecate, the region will be completely blocked," he added.

The medical tourism sector in Baja California should compete on quality, not on price.

Finally, we address the medical tourism issue and how the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," will impact it.

Consul General Andrew Erickson pointed out there is a false optimism in Baja California that "Obamacare" will lead to the increase of medical tourism. The reality is that the Affordable Care Act will give access to health care to many Americans who, in the past, were attracted by the low prices and took the decision to travel to Baja California to obtain medical care. "Obamacare will not have an impact in the growth of medical tourism in Baja California; on the contrary, it may cause its decline."

Baja California will have to compete on quality, not on price, something that will be very difficult, because, according to the General Consul, "Baja California has doctors and hospitals that provide world-class health care".

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