FREE TRADE ALLIANCE was created in 1994 to lead the development of San Antonio as a multi-modal and competitive international trade center.  A public private organization, Alliance brings together the resources of its members and focuses them towards the promotion, development and facilitation of international business and trade for the entire San Antonio region. 

Alliance Goals, Objectives and Activities

FOREIGN INVESTMENT - Attract, retain and expand manufacturing, logistics and other trade-related operations to take advantage of San Antonio's strategic location and economic incentives. 

• Provide logistics and distribution operations with supply chain management solutions utilizing San Antonio's port and trade-related infrastructure
• Manage and promote City of San Antonio's Foreign Trade Zone #80 program
• Facilitate other economic incentives including tax abatements, free port exemptions and industrial development bonds
• Coordinate comprehensive services to assist foreign investors seeking to establish a presence or do business in San Antonio by providing marketing and financial feasibility analysis and site selection services. 
• Coordinate consultative services on tax, legal, intellectual property, labor, visas, logistics and financial matters
• Promote and operate an international business incubator for foreign-based companies seeking to establish or expand the market for their products throughout North America  

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Assist firms in the San Antonio region in exploring, developing and expanding international business activities. 

• Coordinate and promote inbound/outbound international trade missions
• Promote and coordinate member participation in international conferences and trade shows
• Provide members customized research assistance for their international business development activities
• Host and organize trade-related meetings, seminars and conferences
• Communicate timely information to members on international events and news impacting the San Antonio region
• Facilitate members international business development through comprehensive web-based tools including trade lead postings, calendar of events and a trade resource center
• Notarize and process Export Certificates of Origin 

POLICY & ADVOCACY - Develop and advocate policies on trade-related issues that impact the regional economy. 

• Identify and monitor trade-related issues
• Analyze and formulate policies through issue-specific committees and task forces
• Develop advocacy strategies to enlist the support of elected officials and both business and civic leaders
• Implement and communicate advocacy strategies through Alliance's government affairs and lobbying team
• Host and organize trade policy events and programs to create awareness and provide opportunities to interact with policy makers