On Mexico Issue 67

Ram Charan:

"Mexico’s international economic policy has been correct, especially in its close trade relations with the United States. It is an economy that is rebounding. Each country has a significant potential of businessmen and entrepreneurs.The difference lies in the mechanisms under which they work, the freedom granted by the country’s institutions. Mexico has the potential to open its economy and improve its trade relations with emerging countries."
Ram Charan, Business Consultant and Writer

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador:

"We should not stop fighting, even though a lot of discontentment is being generated in every sector. This is because their purpose is destroying the middle class, and this is because it represents more taxes for everyone."
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, former presidential candidate regarding the energy and fiscal reforms

Claudia Troitiño:

"For 40 years themaquiladora industry has been a reliable industry.We are responsible, we pay our workers, they receive their wages every week, some people make us look like the evil guys, claiming that we pay low salaries and that we offer no benefits. I would like to ask the Mexican businessmen in southern Mexico if they pay the salaries and offer the benefits we do."
Claudia Troitiño, Chairwoman of Ciudad Juarez Maquiladoras Association

Vicente Fox:

"I do not find surprising at all that there is espionage by all the governments of the world, the Mexican included. They spy on all of the citizens all day long everywhere in the world."
Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico

 

Raul Plascencia:

"There is still a long way to travel regarding Human Rights. Anyway, we have undoubtedly made significant reforms in Mexico, but these reforms are still to be put into practice, to make them real so that Human Rights can be translated into clear cut results that the City in general will be able to enjoy."
Raul Plascencia, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission

Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya:

"The Mexican Social Security Institute (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social-IMSS), is the second largest collector of contributions in Mexico, totaling 2.7% of the GDP. It is the largest insurer and the largest provider of medical services, daycare centers, sports grounds and funeral homes in the nation. IMSS is facing formidable financial challenges but, most importantly, we are taking essential steps. We will make every effort to solve the financial problems, while simultaneously improving our services."
Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, Director, IMSS

Jose Ignacio Gomez Camacho:

"Mexico did very well in the Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The 89 delegations that participated widely acknowledged the progressive constitutional reforms passed in Mexico, as well as the Pact for Mexico and the Crusade Against Hunger."
Jose Ignacio Gomez Camacho, Ambassador of Mexico before the International Organizations

Daniel Servitje:

"Bimbo Group is considering reformulating its products to reduce calorie content and avoid the 5% tax on junk food proposed in the Fiscal Reform. We are very careful when making changes so that consumers accept them and they see it as an improvement. This isbecause we want to avoid affecting our brands’ presence in the market. Sometimes the flexibility is high and we can increase prices and still keep sales volumes. But at the same time there are several factors involved, so we are analyzing what we can do in the future."
Daniel Servitje, CEO, Bimbo Group

Luis de la Calle:

"The negotiation of possible trade agreements between the European Union, Canada and the United States, each one separately, makes it imperative for Mexico to update the topics and contents of the agreement it has with this economic group. In addition to TPP, Mexico should have an ambitious agenda with the U.S.Over the medium term Mexico must insist on participating in the Free Trade Agreement with the EU andhave Canada join in as well."
Luis de la Calle, Partner, De la Calle, Mancera y Madrazo Consulting Firm

Mohanbir Sawhney:

"Unfortunately, there are still many monopolies in Mexico in the productive sectors. Mexico has a great potential in ideas and creative people, but more companies that strengthen the innovation ecosystem are needed. More than talent, Mexico requires infrastructure, more technological companies, dynamic marketing services and greater investment capital."
Mohanbir Sawhney, Member of the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Ildefonso Acevedo:

"Maquiladoras costs and financial needs are going-up in Mexico. Next year, 2014, will be a year when most surely some manufacturing plants will be closed. We think that maybe between 10 and 12 important industrial and maquiladora plants will close."
Ildefonso Acevedo, President of Hilco Acetec, an appraisals company.

Ricardo Jimenez Cataño:

"In the investment agreements entered into by the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) (the state-run power generation and distribution company) most of the infrastructure work is awarded to foreign companies. This has the effect of limiting the competitiveness of Mexican companies in this sector and snatching possible benefits otherwise offered by the openness of the electric sector which is being considered in the Energy Reform Bill."
Ricardo Jimenez Cataño, President of the National Union of Electro-Mechanic Constructors, Union Nacional de Constructores Electromecanicos (UNCE)