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31 January 2007

United States Looks To Deepen Commercial Ties with Mexico
Commerce's Gutierrez seeks to build on NAFTA, enhance regional competitiveness

By Scott Miller
USINFO Staff Writer




U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez (file photo © AP Images)Washington -- The United States and Mexico share an important commercial relationship, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez will explore ways to further enhance this relationship during a three-day trip to Mexico.

In January 31 remarks at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, Gutierrez pointed out that, as of November 2006, two-way trade between the United States and Mexico exceeded $300 billion and, in 2005, U.S. direct investment in Mexico topped $70 billion. He said he will look to build on this commercial relationship during his meetings February 1 in Mexico City with President Felipe Calderon, senior officials, business leaders and members of civil society.

“The whole purpose of this trip is to discuss ways to make it even stronger and make it more beneficial for businesses and workers,” he said.

The secretary said that in general terms his discussions will focus on strategies for continuing to make the bilateral business environment attractive for local and foreign investment, entrepreneurs and the creation of jobs.

The discussions are also part of an effort to advance the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) launched by the leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico in March 2005 with the goal of enhancing security, economic growth, competitiveness and the quality of life of the citizens of the region. (See related article.)

Gutierrez said the genesis of the SPP was to build on the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“The whole idea is to take progress during NAFTA and see what opportunities exist to make even more progress,” he said. “We are looking for ways to take the next step and make the relationship more efficient, more effective, within the context of NAFTA.”

Apart from advancing the SPP, Gutierrez said that his meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the Western Hemisphere Competitiveness Forum, which will be held this June in Atlanta. The forum will bring together public and private sector leaders from across the Americas to discuss how the region can compete more effectively in the global economy. Gutierrez said it was important for forum participants to share lessons and experience, and he indicated he anticipates “Mexico will have a lot to share at the competitiveness meeting.”

While in Mexico, Gutierrez will give a major address to members of the American Chamber of Commerce as well as visit "todos los Niños a la Escuela"/"All Children to School," a nationwide program designed to offer quality vocational education for underprivileged Mexican students. The telecommunications company Nextel has teamed with UNICEF to create this program to give back to the local community.