Interview:Rodrigo Puga What are the key themes of the government’s national health care plan, and what does this mean for the pharmaceuticals industry? RODRIGO PUGA: Generating savings, improving transparency and eliminating corruption are the defining goals of the national health plan. It is expected that these efforts will free up resources and enable the provision of better medications…
Interview:Eduardo Sojo Garza-Aldape What are the aims of the National Development Plan (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo, PND) 2019-24? EDUARDO SOJO: The most important factors driving the country’s economic growth as outlined in the PND are healthy public finances, security, anti-corruption measures, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), financial inclusion and energy. The government’s main…
Interview:Graciela Márquez Colín How will the Mexican economy fare in times of growing global protectionism? GRACIELA MÁRQUEZ: The Mexican economy has firm foundations that guarantee its stability despite global challenges. The government is committed to maintaining fiscal discipline, which ensures a sustainable trajectory of public finances. In addition, Mexico has solid economic institutions,…
Interview:Carlos Serrano What regulatory measures need to be taken to boost competitiveness, ease access to credit and spur socio-economic growth? CARLOS SERRANO: Mexico has a strong regulatory framework, especially with regard to prudential regulation, which has enabled the continued expansion of credit, robust capital and liquidity positions, as well as the entry of new agents. Nevertheless,…
Interview:Mario Vela Berrondo How would you characterise the strength and resilience of the insurance industry in the face of external and internal economic challenges? MARIO VELA: Both the insurance industry and the broader economy have faced a number of challenges in recent years. However, the implementation of new initiatives, such as the Solvency II regulatory standards, has helped insurance…
Interview:José-Oriol Bosch Par What strategies are being employed to increase foreign investment and financial inclusion? JOSÉ-ORIOL BOSCH: In January 2019 the government signed a decree that aims to boost the stock market and financial institutions for the benefit of entrepreneurs. The decree is focused on bringing young people into the financial services sector, encouraging share listing…
Interview:Alejandro Díaz de León What internal and external factors contributed to Mexico’s economic slowdown, and what monetary policies can counterbalance their effects? ALEJANDRO DÍAZ DE LEÓN: The latest growth forecast from Banco de México (Banxico) estimates GDP growth to range between 0.2% and 0.7% for 2019, and between 1.5% and 2.5% in 2020. The forecast for 2019 reflects, in…
Interview:Tania Ortiz How do you assess the scope for renewable energy in Mexico, and what role can development banks play in developing this segment? TANIA ORTIZ: Mexico possesses a large amount of renewable resources, such as wind and solar energy, giving the country a competitive advantage. Renewables are important in Mexico because they are clean, efficient and can compete with conventional…
Interview:Justin Trudeau What are the key areas of bilateral cooperation enshrined in the Canada-Mexico Partnership? JUSTIN TRUDEAU: In 2019 Canada and Mexico are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. In that time, Mexico has become one of our most valued partners in the western hemisphere. Trade is an important part of our relationship, and we have long-championed free trade agreements…
Interview:Ángel Gurría What are the OECD predictions for Mexico’s economic growth in the near term? ÁNGEL GURRÍA: Forecasts have been downgraded due to weaker-than-expected growth at the end of 2018 and in the first half of 2019. The economy experienced negative growth in the first quarter of 2019 and grew only slightly in the second quarter due to both external and internal factors.…
