Maquilaportal.com Weekly Bulletin 12-07-2000 Here is bulletin number 38. ............................................................................................................................................ NEWS ***Mexican Department of Economy Supports Maquila Program*** The Secretary of Economy, Luis Ernesto Derbez, said to the members of the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry that without any radicalism or ruptures, the new Department of Economy will rescue anything that has brought benefits to the Mexican economy, with the resolution to solve immediate problems and to carry out new actions to benefit the real sector of economy. Derbez further said that the maquila program created to promote Mexico's Southern region will particularly be supported. It consists in promoting maquila industry in that area to contribute to the regional, well-balanced economic development. In brief, the new Department of Economy will continue the internationalization plan of our economy. But, in addition, it will apply public policy programs oriented to strengthen domestic market and recover the productive connections, he said. ***Maquilas Generate Around 85% of the Jobs*** Maquilas from the border area are considered "economic zones" because they generate employment and promote a pro-industry mentality in the workers who previously worked in the fields. As to the negative side of this industry, there is over exploitation of the female workers and also that salaries are lower every day, opposite to the US industries, said Octavio Luis Pineda, Professor of the Economics School of the National Polytechnic Institute. ***Maquilas Concentrate in the North*** Tamaulipas, as well as Chihuahua, Baja California, Coahuila, Sonora. and Nuevo Leon, concentrate the largest number of workers hired by the maquila industry in Mexico. These six States generate more than 8 from every ten jobs in this industry, reported the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Computer Science. Production in the export maquila industry last September grew 14.4 per cent in real terms in relation with the same month last year. This office further states that personnel hired reached one million 330 thousand 990 persons, which represents an annual growth of 12.1 per cent. Such result corresponds to 14.4 per cent in male workers, 11.7 per cent administrative personnel, 10.8 per cent female workers, and production technicians 10.3 per cent. The highest raises in employment were registered in Puebla with 29.3 per cent; Nuevo Leon, 23.8 per cent and Yucatan 22.7 per cent. Personnel hired in Guanajuato raised 19.2 per cent; in Chihuahua, 16.8 per cent; Tamaulipas, 9.1 per cent and Coahuila, 5.0 per cent. Hours worked in the maquilas grew 9.6 per cent during September 2000 compared to the same month in 1999. ***Maquila Sector in Tijuana Ready for its New President*** It will be next week when the Association of Exporting Maquila Industry elects its new President, now presided by Jose de Jesus Calleros. Twelve out of the fifteen members of the board were recently elected, and the remaining three were ratified in their position, said the director. Alberto Pelayo mentioned that this group will be responsible to elect the next leader of this association that includes more than 300 industries in Tijuana. The next leader will be president number 18 since it was created in 1970, association that represents the interests of the maquila sector in this city. The construction of the new building of the Association will be under the responsibility of this new Board of Directors, as the offices it occupies at the present time are insufficient. ***Investments in Guadalajara for 47 Million Dollars*** Fu Yu Manufacture, Ltd., will invest 10 million USD in two stages. The resources will be used to install plants to manufacture, assemble and finish plastic injection molds. Omni Electronics will install a plant for printing circuits and product assembly, investing up to 12 million dollars in two stages and generating around 1,100 jobs. YCH is to invest in the State of Jalisco, 15 million dollars in two stages, with the purpose of providing logistic and solution chain services, mainly to companies of the electronic sector, to generate 350 jobs, reported Alberto Cardenas, Governor of Jalisco. More News: http://www.maquilaportal.com/ ............................................................................................................................................ ARTICLE OF THE WEEK (SUMMARY) ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTING, IS IT IN YOU? By Luis Miguel Esparza & Joe Gonzalez © 2000 Many inefficient allocation decisions made by managers today can be attributed to the fact that most monetary costs associated with environmental compliance are hidden in general overhead accounts (i.e. liability, insurance, control and supervision costs) instead of being allocated in line with the "Polluter Pays" Principle in accordance with the law and the theory of sustainable development. As long as these costs remain small, sorting out the exact contributions of every process or activity scarcely seems worthwhile. Yet, when the cost becomes significant, and... Complete article.... Go to: http://www.maquilaportal.com/editorial/editorial75.htm ............................................................................................................................................ ***NEW THIS WEEK*** SYMIX DECEMBER PROFILE http://www.maquilaportal.com/navegar/nav47.htm NEW PROSEC DOCUMENTS http://www.maquilaportal.com/Noticias/news_prosec.htm ***ALERTS*** Eighth Miscellany Resolution In Foreign Trade Customs http://www.maquilaportal.com/join/Alerts/alertas_48.htm http://www.maquilaportal.com/public/navegar/nav8.htm Guarantee Accounts http://www.maquilaportal.com/join/Alerts/alertas_49.htm Biweekly Foreign Trade Info By Bufete International http://www.maquilaportal.com/join/Alerts/alertas_50.htm ***EDITORIALS*** Mexico Auto Sector Sees $15 Billion Investment In 5 Years http://www.maquilaportal.com/editorial/editorial76.htm