Beyond the Border Discussion | Video

Alex Hagen | 3/20/2012

Crossing the border between North Dakota and Canada used to be a lot easier than it is now. Passports have become a necessity. Representatives from North Dakota, Minnesota and Canada met in Bismarck today to discuss the Beyond the Border agreement.

The discussion focused on two action plans for cooperation and policy and business implications. Representatives say the objective is to make crossing back and forth between the two countries less challenging.

"The point of this initiative is to make it easier to move goods and people back and forth across the border in an efficient manner that helps jobs on both sides of the border while at the same time, making sure we keep North America secure," said Martin Loken, the Consul General of Canada.

Canada is North Dakota`s largest trading partner, with more than $4.6 billion in goods and services crossing the border last year.

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