ProMexico's Jorge Lopez Sheds Light on Aerospace Industry in Mexico

The aerospace industry has a long history in Mexico. As ProMexico's Regional Director for North America, Jorge Lopez describes, after the NAFTA Free Trade Agreement, Mexico became a hub for aerospace science in the region. Well-known for its aerospace components and aerospace engineering, Mexico has established itself as a leader for new business opportunities in the industry within North America and around the world.

A Business Traveler Makes Time for Fresh Food and Tourism in Mexico City

MexicoToday spoke with a businessman visiting Mexico City. He talked about enjoying the food in Mexico, especially marisco, or shellfish. He raved about the experience, and especially enjoyed the culture of Mexico City.

 Business travelers to Mexico should take the time to enjoy the local cuisine and culture.

Watch the Key for Unilever: Sustainability and Free Trade

Mexico currently boasts a vibrant economy with a commitment to free trade that keeps companies coming back for more. Learn about what brought Unilever to Mexico from the President of Personal Care, Dave Lewis.

Video: MetLife Life Insurance - Mexico

MetLife, the world's largest life insurer, does business in Mexico. In the video below, the Chairman of the Board for MetLife, C. Robert Henrikson, talks about the huge growth business opportunities in Mexico due to the booming middle class of Mexican workers, a strong economy and a reliable banking system.

Mexico Aiming to Export Products Directly to China

Mexico is interested in exporting products like avocado and table grape and introducing mango to China.

A group of 30 businessmen affiliated with agricultural producers, livestock, fisheries and food of Mexico started a tour in Beijing. Their aim is to boost exports without intermediaries by persuading China to sign an agreement in the Council for the Promotion of Chinese International Trade (CCPIT).

Yang Xiaodong, the general director of cooperation and development of the CCPIT, said of Mexico's economy, "Mexico has a great economy, very open, and the signing of the agreement is of great importance to strengthen pragmatic cooperation to increase mutual understanding among entrepreneurs, opportunities and the entry of their products. "

The Future of Mexico's Economy is Looking Rosy

The future of Mexico's economy is looking bright with projected growth of 4.5% this year.

"The Mexican economy is outpacing some of the faster-growing regions in the world -- such as Russia -- and it is estimated that Mexico will be the eighth-largest economy in the world by 2050."

"Mexico Extends Tax Benefits to Maquiladoras, Social Groups"

In efforts to encourage job creation and boost the economy in Mexico, President Felipe Calderón signed an agreement "granting tax incentives to two key sectors of the economy: the maquiladora industry, and philanthropic and social organizations."

The benefits of this process are:

An unprecedented boost to infrastructure to reduce logistic costs
A regulatory reform to facilitate the creation and operation of firms
A tax simplification process to provide national industry with access to inputs at more competitive prices
The creation of the Mexican Foreign Trade Digital Window to enable firms to carry out their goods import, export and transport procedures at a single desk

What Are the Office Hours in Mexico?

When on business travel to Mexico or just visiting, it is worth noting that office hours in Mexico are generally from 8am to 6pm. The normal time for lunch can be taken somewhere between 1pm and 3 pm and last between 1 to 2 hours.

Photo credit: Reuters

Mexico Removes Tariffs on US Produce

Mexican tariffs numbering 10 to 45 percent on U.S. agricultural products are being removed in exchange for the US re-establishing a cross-border trucking program with Mexico (a program with new safety standards).

The tariffs being removed were placed on potatoes, cherries, pears and 87 other U.S. products.
"I think it will be a positive," Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash said, "The reason why, is historically, Mexico has been our biggest trading partner."

Mexico Instates New Sugar Import Quota

Mexico, which is the world’s sixth-largest sugar producer, has decided to put into measure an import quote for the sweetener at 150,000 metric tons. The cause of this import quota stems from the possibility that domestic production may not meet demand.

Photo credit: American Public Radio

Mexico's Biggest Retailer Reports Profit Up in Third Quarter

Walmex or Wal-Mart de Mexico, Mexico's biggest retailer, is reporting a higher third-quarter profit driven by new store openings and aggressive promotions to encourage customer spending. The Mexican retailer reported a net profit of 4.824 billion pesos ($347 million) for the July-September period, an increase of 13.5 percent.

Water Spa Treatment in Puerto Vallarta

Cuponismo is having a deal for Janzu, a type of water spa treatment in a shallow swimming pool, in Puerto Vallarta. If you have some time available during your travel, the treatment is supposed to de-stress you. The venue is Arbol del Yoga, which is located on the main avenue of Puerto Vallarta - Fco. Medina Ascencio Ave.

"Microsoft Opens First Spanish-Language Technology Center in Mexico" via Mexico Today

Mexico Today shares additional information on Microsoft's latest move to open the first Spanish-language technology center in Mexico. Microsoft's Mexico technology center is located within the Microsoft building in Mexico City.

Picture credit: davipav.ontheroad.to

Mexican Company Develops Sports Car to Rival Porsches and Corvettes

Mastretta is a Mexican auto maker and design studio that originated in Mexico City by Mexican industrial designer Daniel Mastrettain in 1987. The Mexican company has developed a high performance sports car branded the Mastretta MXT, which will sell for $58,000.

Mexico Today offers a deeper look at Masretta MXT and how the car will rival cars and rival sports cars currently on the market such as Porsches and Corvettes.

Photo credit: Mexico Today

Mexico's Competitiveness Leads to Increase in World Economic Forum Ranking

Mexico’s ranking on the Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has increased eight spots, no easy feat considering that the fluctuation of these rankings tend to be low. Mexico's improvement can be attributed to changes made to "boost competition and facilitate entrepreneurship by reducing the number of procedures and the time it takes to start a business. The report also mentions Mexico’s large internal market size, sound macroeconomic policies, technological adoption, and a decent transport infrastructure as helping it to move up in the WEF Report."

The Americas Quarterly writer Arjan Shahani makes additional observations and recommends ways Mexico can continue to improve its business and economic rank.

Photo credit: Focus on Mexico

Trade Surplus Posted by Mexico for August

From Reuters is the news that "Mexico posted a small trade surplus in August as gains in petrol exports made up for a slide in factory exports that drive Latin America's second-largest economy." The trade surplus was in the amount of $71 million, read more about Mexico's trade from the article.

Photo credit: brecorder.com

Popular US Restaurants Expand Business to Mexico

Darden Restaurants Inc., based in the US and the parent company of Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and LongHorn Steakhouse brands, has been negotiating a deal with CMR, a Mexican casual dining company, to expand its restaurant portfolio to Mexico. Once an agreement between the two companies is finalized - CMR will launch 37 restaurants in Mexico over the next ten years. Read more from Mexico Today on which 3 popular American restaurants from the Darden portfolio will expand to Mexico.

Mexico City - Annual Debt Capital Markets in Mexico Conference

The Annual Debt Capital Markets in Mexico Conference is taking place today in Mexico City.

From the conference website are the themes to be discussed this year:

- The Outlook for Mexico's Economy Post Global Economic Crisis
- Crystal-balling the Future for Debt Capital Markets in Mexico Including ABS
- Legislative and Regulatory changes impacting the Mexican Financial markets
- Assessing Mexican Residential and Commercial Mortgage Loan Performance During the RMBS Market Collapse
- Overview of the Consumer ABS Markets Including Auto Loans and Trade Receivables
- Infrastructure Projects in the Pipeline and How They Will be Financed
- The Future of Covered Bonds in Mexico
- New Trends in Investor Due Diligence
- Identifying Investment Opportunities in the Local Market
- Rating agency methodology reforms

"Industry Analysis Reports Aerospace in Mexico is leading the Aircraft Industry" via Mexico Today

What has propelled Mexico to the forefront of the aircraft industry? "Over the past decade, aerospace in Mexico has reached new heights, evolving from being known for manufacturing simple parts and assembling them, to playing a much bigger role in the industry." Read more from Mexico Today to find out how Mexico has positioned itself to be a strong contender for investment in the global aerospace industry.

3.85% Growth for Mexico Forecasted by Citigroup

From Bloomberg - a report by Citigroup Inc.’s Banamex unit indicated that Mexico's economy will experience a 3.85% growth this year. The report came from the median estimate of economists surveyed by Banamex.

Picture credit: topnews