Country Profile
From The Report: Mexico 2015
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Since coming to power in December 2012, the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto has overseen the introduction of a series of sweeping reforms aimed at boosting the country’s economic competitiveness and attracting investment. Under the reform agenda, the energy sector was opened to private investment, while asymmetric laws were introduced in the telecommunications sector to increase competition. Meanwhile, the education sector saw the establishment of compulsory teacher evaluations and a fiscal reform led to the widening of the tax base. Despite the speed with which the reforms were passed, the momentum has slowed slightly as the government feels the effects of lower hydrocarbons revenues.

This chapter contains interviews with President Enrique Peña Nieto; Angel Gurría, Secretary General, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and Andrew Robb, Australian Minister for Trade and Investment.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

One of a kind: Mexico is a land of many natural and cultural strengths
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In addition to being the second-largest economy and second-most-populous country in Latin America, Mexico is geographically and culturally diverse. The country boasts more than 11,100 km of coastline and diverse terrain ranging from desert to mountains to rainforests, as well as a rich cultural heritage that includes numerous well-preserved ancient indigenous cities. Mexico is also a significant producer of hydrocarbons and minerals and, thanks to its free trade agreement and 3000-km border with…

Overview

Upward trajectory: Major reforms are expected to renew international confidence
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Sweeping reforms in energy, telecoms and education, among other sectors, are being implemented in Mexico in an effort to boost the country’s economy and attract investment. Significant structural changes were achieved in the past year with the aim of increasing economic competition and efficiency, though the benefits have yet to fully materialise. In its first two years in power, the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto has opened the oil sector to private investment and the telecommunications…

Analysis

Partners in progress: Mexico looks to the Pacific Rim to expand its economy
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Redefining Mexico’s position in the world, notably by strengthening ties with the Asia-Pacific region, is one of the overarching goals of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s key structural reforms to transform the country into a modern, competitive economy. In order to increase its trade capacity in the region, Mexico became a party to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2012, an ambitious regional free trade agreement agreed between 12 countries in North and South America and Asia, in October…

Interview

Reforms and results: OBG talks to President Enrique Peña Nieto
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Interview:Enrique Peña Nieto How can Mexico capitalise on its unique strategic location to become a logistics hub? ENRIQUE PEÑA NIETO: Mexico launched the National Infrastructure Programme to become a high-added-value global logistic hub. This broad development agenda –with record-high public-private investments of up to $500bn– foresees the construction of the New Mexico City International Airport and will almost double the capacity of our seaports, among other projects. Special Economic…

Interview

Keys to growth: OBG talks to Angel Gurría, Secretary General, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
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Interview:Angel Gurría What factors are contributing to Mexico’s economic rebound and continued strong growth? ANGEL GURRÍA: The Mexican economy has faced repeated delays to recovery over the past few years due to a combination of weak global demand, domestic financial problems and, until more recently, insufficient structural reforms. The ongoing strengthening of the US economy, an easing of the construction sector’s problems and a comprehensive reform package by the current administration…

Analysis

Putting people first: Education reforms are set to help assure future growth
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A raft of structural reforms, aimed at improving competition and efficiency, is being implemented in Mexico in an effort to boost the economy. The impact of these reforms – 11 in total – is expected to be felt increasingly across a number of economic sectors, especially in energy, telecoms and financial services, with taxation, transparency, competition and labour among the areas specifically targeted. Although the full benefits have yet to materialise, the economy is poised for a considerable…

Interview

Regional allies: OBG talks to Andrew Robb, Australian Minister for Trade and Investment
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Interview:Andrew Robb How much does trade with Mexico stand to increase under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)? ANDREW ROBB: TPP members account for nearly 40% of the global economy and 25% of global trade, making the TPP the world’s largest regional free trade agreement (FTA). Mexico is already Australia’s largest merchandise trading partner in Latin America, with almost $2bn in goods and $154m in services in 2013-14. Given the complementary nature of our two economies, there is potential…