SECTIONS
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NEWS
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 Trade deficit of US$7.5 billion in 2005
The Ministry of the Treasure informed that the deficit in December's trade balance amounted to US$1.195 billion, and therefore the amount accrued in 2005 added to US$7.558 billion. In 2004 the balance had been US$8.811 billion. The drop is mainly explained by the increase in oil exports, which reflected the high prices that prevailed in the oil market during the recently ended year.
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Nissan and Jatco will invest US $1.6 billion
The Japanese companies in the auto-motor sector: Nissan and Jatco, will invest US$1.6 billion in the expansion of their plants in Aguascalientes. Nissan will channel US$1.3 billion, to take its installed production capacity from 234 thousand to 350 thousand units per year by 2008.
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12th Annual Manufacturing in Mexico Summit
The Offshore Group will hold its annual 12th Manufacturing in Mexico Summit at. the Hotel San Carlos in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico on October 26 - 29, 2006.
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Chinese Economy grows 9.9% in 2005
Shanghai, China - Chinese economy had a 9.9% expansion in 2005,. according to reports disclosed last Wednesday, which, if accurate, would make of China the fourth most powerful economy in the world, after the United States, Japan and Germany. Its growth would overcome Great Britain, France and Italy. China's gross domestic product in 2004 amounted to US$2.26 billion, the National Statistics Center informed in a press release.
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Steel industry will invest US$600 million in Mexico
Monterrey, NL - Steel industry in Mexico will invest this year around US$600 million to increase production capacity and in energy sources' substitution, Octavio Rangel Fraustro, Canacero's Director informed. In the congress "Mexican Steel 2006" organized by American Metal Market (AMM), Mr. Rangel said that this year steel domestic production will be 9% higher than in 2005, to reach 18 million metric tons.
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Toyota will increase production in Tijuana
Mexico City Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California (TMMBC) announced an increase in its capacity to produce Tacoma pick-ups by 20 thousand units, to reach an annual production of 50 thousand vehicles and 200 thousand truck boxes. This expansion, which is expected to be completed by 2007, represents an additional investment of US$35 million, generating also around 200 extra jobs in the plant.
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Nemak will produce pieces for GM
Monterrey - Nemak, a subsidiary of Grupo Alfa's, informed that General Motors granted them a contract for the production of a new high performance V6 block, which will be produced in its Canadian plant in Windsor, Ontario. In a press release, the Monterrey Company states that the new project consists of a total volume of 450 thousand blocks for GM vehicles to be sold world-wide and production will start by the end of 2006 in Windsor Aluminum plant.
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ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
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A Mexican's point of view
Elections Year |
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By Samuel Peña Guzman
Foreign Investment Coordinator of Nuevo Leon
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 A year begins, 2006 arrives with great expectations, especially in the political arena due to the coming presidential elections. In the next few months we will witness a strong struggle among the main three candidates for president; (alphabetically) Felipe Calderon, Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador and Roberto Madrazo. Undoubtedly one of them will be the winner in July elections and therefore our next President as of December 1st.
Structural reforms – that in theory should have been approved and implemented by the current administration – were postponed for the next administration, leaving President Fox’s Administration as a mere transition from PRI to PAN, but not as a transition to democracy as some media have claimed.
This starting year will be an elections year, when political campaigns will play an important role, at least in the first six months of 2006: the questions many readers are may be asking themselves are: “What should we expect in 2006, especially in the political arena and the economic field?” “Who will be our next President?” These questions, among others, will be in the minds of many Mexicans.
I still remember that at the beginning of 2005, there were lots of speculation about politics and economy. In the political area, the task for presidential candidates was clear: Adversaries disqualification was the fundamental priority of every candidate, both inside parties and opponents in other parties. There were also some efforts made to implement some of the structural reforms and even amend electoral law, trying to prevent or neutralize the problem arising from campaigns financing. Parties insisted on the need to review mechanism and prevent resource transference, from the government to former candidates of TUCOM group, who held positions as governors and senators and to members of President Fox’s cabinet by PAN. Efforts were made to prevent the so-called “PRI corporativism” that acted and supplied money required to finance campaigns, in addition to strengthening all of the PRI machinery for many years, but this was not achieved either.
 In the economic field, there is a separation between politics and economy, similar to that in developed countries. Mexican Peso’s strength has overthrown many speculations about political uncertainty experienced in the year that ends; but this does not mean there will be no uncertainty in this new year. However, economy in Mexico is the result of a surplus in current accounts that allows Mexico to have reserves over US$60 billion, and a greater capitals flow that have even allowed to make advanced payments on the foreign debt and take a better advantage of access to capital markets with less expensive debt, reducing in this way the need to incur into foreign debt.
Another fundamental factor that is to be acknowledged, to both markets and President Fox, is the economic stability we have enjoyed throughout his Administration; this has allowed for a reduction in Mexico’s risk levels and therefore a better opinion of foreign investors. We have apparently learned the lessons of the December 1994 crisis, there is nowadays – at least in theory – autonomy in the economic policies ruled by Banco de Mexico, as well as autonomy in politics – per se. The result has been precisely stability of Mexican Peso and a drastic reduction of currency volatility, even if on the other hand Mexican Peso’s strength has regrettably affected exports.
Both issues – politics and economy – will continue to be fundamental subjects, mainly in an elections year. There is no doubt that elctions will be very tight, the three main candidates, with their “pros and cons” have good possibilities to become President of the Republic. On the other hand, the trend in Latin America is to the left. However, the leadership Lopez Obrador still has in polls as a candidate of the left does not necessarily mean he will win and even eventually bring an economic setback. What is very probable is that the winning candidate will not have a majority in the Congress, which would hinder the implementation of drastic policies different from the public and economic policies already established in Mexico. This means that there would be, as in every democracy, a balance of powers, unlike what has happened in other Latin American countries. Still, there are some cases, like Chile that has a socialist government and is the best country in South America for an outstanding political full-growth.
In conclusion, I think Mexico is ready for an Administration of any type (center, right or left), the economic “shielding” will undoubtedly be very helpful for this year we are starting and I am positive that the separation between politics and economy is the best thing that could ever happen to a developing country, as ours. Congratulations! We will live an intense political year in 2006 let’s hope we will pick the best political choice. Happy New Year!!!
Hector Samuel Peña LL.M, MPA Currently works as a Foreign Investment Coordinator for the State Government of Nuevo León, he has LLM Masters in Law from American University, Washington, College of Law, and a Masters in Public Administration from the George Washington University and has advised foreign companies who are expanding operations in to Mexico. He is also a professor at the State University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico and a Member of the Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales COMEXI.
The point of view is strictly from the author and does not represent the vision on any of the author institutions relationships.
He can be reached at: samuel.pena@mexicoglobal.com
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MEXICO'S WEEKLY HEADLINES
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| » Mexico will look for to relaunch generation of nuclear energy |
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| » EDM will employ 2,000 people in Ciudad Juarez |
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| » Irizar will invest US$2.5 million in Queretaro
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| » Group Model will extend plants
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| » Japanese manufacturer of toilets comes to Mexico |
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EVENTS
2006
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January - February
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AUTOMATION
TECHNOLOGY EXPO
Anaheim, CA., USA
31 Jan. - 2 Feb.
ELECTRONIC WEST
Anaheim, CA., USA
31 Jan. - 2 Feb.
MEDICAL DESIGN & MANUFACTURING
Anaheim, CA., USA
31 Jan. - 2 Feb.
PLATEC WEST
Anaheim, CA., USA
31 Jan. - 2 Feb.
WEST PACK
Anaheim, CA., USA
31 Jan. - 2 Feb.
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