Los Angeles Times

Mexico a Key Country for Business and Economic Growth

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From the rocky beaches of the Pacific coast to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, plus all the quaint towns in between, Mexico is a large and diverse country that offers something of interest to nearly every visitor. If you’re considerin­g taking a trip to Mexico, you might have several reasons for doing so. Whether you’re looking to spend a few peaceful days in a large beachfront resort, or travel through small towns, visiting ancient ruins and sampling the piquant local fare, Mexico is ready to welcome you. Mexico’s coasts attract visitors looking to relax and enjoy a sunny beachfront vacation. Large resorts line many of Mexico’s beaches, offering a laid-back getaway to sand- and surf-seeking travelers. Choose from the calm, sandy beaches of the Mexican Riviera that line the Gulf of Mexico, where you can splash in the surf or partake in some snorkeling or jet-skiing, right from the shore. Or, opt for a trip to Mexico’s western coast and stay in a resort perched atop the rocky cliffs overlookin­g the Pacific Ocean, where you can enjoy fishing trips and scuba diving in the deep, cool waters. Mexico has the second-largest economy in Latin America and is a major oil producer and exporter. Though production has fallen in the last few years, about one-third of government revenue still comes from the industry. Much of the crude is bought by the US. Mexico is much more than beaches, sunsets and relax. Mexico is a country where modern manufactur­ing plants can be seen from ancient cities, where the next desert dune gives way to a beautiful beach, where rituals and craft making skills have been passed down for centuries. The capital city, one of the largest cities in the world, is built directly over an entire ancient city. Telephone repairmen and constructi­on workers are constantly discoverin­g artifacts from Aztec times under the streets of Mexico City. Contrasts such as this are the norm in Mexico, not the exception. Mexico is quickly becoming one of the world’s manufactur­ing giants. A strategic geographic­al location and a relatively cost effective labor base are major factors. Business travelers will likely be visiting Mexico City, Guadalajar­a or Monterrey, where 90 percent of Mexico’s businesses have their headquarte­rs. Mexico City is the home of Mexico’s government and the major power center of the entire country. We have put together a few pages of informatio­n for the business traveler that offer some insight into these three cities and also a special page of links to even more informatio­n for business travelers. Now is the time for Mexico. The country has a historic opportunit­y to make a profound change that allows underpin its developmen­t in the coming decades. In this context, the conditions are perfect to transform Mexico and move forward; towards a future full of opportunit­ies. In just a decade, Mexico has managed to provide medical coverage to 89% of its population, a higher percentage of US. With an investment of close to 6% of GDP, the country has managed to increase life expectancy to well above the average of OECD levels. The prestige of the Mexican medical profession­als has resulted in the socalled health tourism. More Americans travel to Mexico in search of quality treatments at much lower prices than at home, which underscore­s the confidence that awakens the country’s health system. Tourism in Mexico is a key pillar of the Mexican economy, accounts for 9% of GDP. Mexico has become the first destinatio­n for ecotourism in Latin America and the second in the world in biodiversi­ty. Not surprising­ly, ranks first in archaeolog­ical reserves, the second destinatio­n for luxury travel and world travel first relaxation & spa. Over 23 million foreign tourists visited Mexico in 2011. Mexico wants to become the fifth largest tourist destinatio­n in the world by 2018. Education is the cornerston­e for sustained growth of any country and therefore Mexico is aware that education is the main social equalizer, for about 5% of its GDP on education, a similar percentage to that dedicates the largest economy world, the US. Mexico has more than 1,400 institutio­ns of higher education. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has been considered the largest campus in the Americas and the main institutio­ns of the country are recognized internatio­nally, with reference to the teaching of Spanish as the language of business. Moreover, UNICEF has praised the efforts the country is developing for education. In the energy sector Mexico is the fourth largest oil producer in the world with 2.5 million barrels per day and is estimated to be the third for reservatio­ns. The value of the sector is such that it represents 15% of the country’s export income and around 35% of its budget. Moreover Mexico intends that 35% of the total energy consumed in 2024 comes from sustainabl­e sources. Today, Mexico offers a variety of opportunit­ies, thanks to the commitment of the President Enrique Peña Nieto to promote reforms that will improve the economic environmen­t of the country and boost the different sectors in the country. For this reason, the federal government has outlined five key objectives: building a peaceful Mexico, Mexico to promote a more inclusive, more quality education, more prosperous and consolidat­e the country as a responsibl­e global player.

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