Rodrigo Medina

WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN NUEVO LEON?

By October 2012, the State of Nuevo Leon had already surpassed a historic goal of US$2 billion in foreign direct investment. We were able to exceed this goal thanks to all the companies who believe in our State and value our most important asset: Our People. We currently have many potential projects for 2013 and hope to surpass another historic record for next year.
This is how Nuevo Leon works…we don't just settle for good, we strive for excellence. This is because at the end we want to create more jobs and business opportunities for our people meanwhile increasing their quality of life.

WHAT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES DOES NUEVO LEON HAVE TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT?

The four pillars of the Economic Development in our State are summarized in the excellence of our educational institutions and the productivity of our human capital. What we have is our infrastructure and strategic location, for instance, plus our fi rst class logistic services. We have wide expertise in our supply base and there is the close collaboration and partnership between the Government, Universities, and Private Sector who all follow our dynamic Triple-Helix Model.
Monterrey has achieved once again the title of the most competitive city in Mexico.
This refl ects the viability of our economic development strategy. It's one that involves the most productive industrial sectors and defi nes our steady transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

WHICH ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS THAT HAVE LANDED IN NUEVO LEON LATELY?

In recent years we've landed important investments in strategic sectors such as automotive, home appliances and advanced manufacturing.
For example, Polaris is a U.S. recreational vehicles manufacturing company and a fi rm that decided to establish in Nuevo Leon two years ago. Just recently they announced an important expansion of their operations in our State.
The presence of multinational automotive OEMs Navistar International and Daimler, as well as our State's strategic geographical location, has attracted an important number of foreign auto-parts manufacturers who have established in Nuevo Leon. Their aim is to supply these companies as well as the central regions of Mexico and North America.
Another example is the Korean multinational LG. They have been constantly expanding operations in Nuevo Leon and this has resulted in more of their foreign suppliers coming to and getting established in our State. This has created more jobs and business opportunities for local people.

IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT TO BE EXPECTED IN NUEVO LEON IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

Yes there is. For example, we've seen an increasing interest in companies seeking to develop projects in the Renewable Energies sector. For instance, coming down the proverbial pipeline we have at least three important projects in this sector at the moment.
These will generate more than US$1 billion and generate at least 150 new direct jobs.
In addition to these projects, there are also other sectors growing in our State with big investments and most importantly, many new jobs. We have more than 50 projects pending, mainly in the automotive and food processing industries. This includes expanding companies already installed in Nuevo Leon. This is something that for us, is a sign that their operations in our State are very successful and indicates the confi dence these prestigious international companies have in us.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN NUEVO LEON?

The mature industrial sectors in our State, such as automotive and the household appliances, have been rapidly developing throughout recent years and today represent some of the most competitive sectors in the country's economy.
Moreover, the State of Nuevo Leon has decidedly encouraged and promoted the development of other strategic sectors like information technologies, nanotechnology, biotechnology and renewable energies. All this has allowed us to lead not only in other regions within Mexico, but to compete with other countries, as well.
This strategy has been driven by the development of our Innovation and Technology Park. It is the fi rst of its kind in Latin America and brings together research and development programs from leading companies and institutions around the world.
These strategies position us at the forefront compared with other states in Mexico.
We are moving ahead hand-in-hand with our four pillars of economic development.

ANY LAST COMMENT FOR THE MEXICONOW SUBSCRIBERS IN OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY?

First of all I would like to congratulate MEXICONOW on its 10th Anniversary and hope for many more years of success.
I'm positive MexicoNOW's readers will recognize not only Nuevo Leon's capacity for growth, but our country's as well. I am honored to represent such a thriving State with so many hard working and talented people.
I have no doubt international companies will fi nd in our State the ideal environment to invest and establish long-term successful business operations.