Partner Article

North East firms urged to cash in on Mexican opportunities

The North East International Trade Hotline is urging North East firms to build up links with Mexico as the country prepares to transform itself with a major investment in its infrastructure.

Mexico is a modern emerging economy and is predicted by many to become one of the world’s most powerful in 20 to 30 years time. To maintain steady growth the Mexican Government has pledged $50 billion every year for five years to transport and social infrastructure improvements.

UK Trade & Investment has been working hard to promote British skills and expertise in this area and Trade and Investment Minister Lord Digby Jones was in Mexico recently to host a series of events and meetings with key contacts in the transport and construction industries, highlighting how UK firms can help make these projects a reality.

Giles Paxman, British Ambassador to Mexico, said: “Most of those the minister spoke to needed little convincing - British expertise is held in high esteem here in Mexico. British firms often find themselves pushing at an open door. There really is no better time to exploit these opportunities.”

The National Infrastructure Plan, unveiled by the Mexican President last year, contains more than $40 billion worth of transport infrastructure plans including 100 road projects, a new rail network, five new ports and three new airports.

There are also projects to develop water supply and treatment systems, irrigation systems and oil and gas generation - all areas in which British firms are well placed to compete.

Simon Crosby, International Trade Adviser and Country Lead for Mexico, added: “The minister’s visit has helped drum up Mexican interest in UK products and services in these sectors, many of them areas in which North East firms excel.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .