Mission Statement
Rocky Mountain Trade Mission
to Mexico City and Monterrey
February 12-17, 2006
Mission Description
The Rocky Mountain Hub (Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona), Export Assistance Centers of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration will recruit and organize a two-stop, multiple industry trade mission event to Mexico City and Monterrey, February 12-17, 2006. While this mission is focused on companies in the Rocky Mountain region, all U.S. companies meeting mission selection criteria are encouraged to apply.
In each city, participating U.S. companies will have two days of pre-scheduled, pre-screened one-on-one appointments with potential agents, distributors, and/or business partners, as well as counseling from Commercial Service (CS) Trade Specialists. In addition, CS Mexico City will provide all participants with an in-depth briefing on the Mexican market and will hold a networking reception for the delegation with local private and public sector officials. Sectors included in the mission are: Building Materials; Educational Services; Energy/Oil & Gas Equipment and Services; Medical Equipment; Pollution Control Equipment; Safety & Security Equipment; Sporting Goods; and, Telecommunications Equipment.
Commercial Setting
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was enacted in 1994 and created a free trade zone for Mexico, Canada and the United States, is the most outstanding feature of the U.S.-Mexico bilateral relationship.
Since the implementation of NAFTA, Mexican imports from the United States have increased greatly, totaling over USD$111 billion in 2004.
The United States accounts for nearly 75% of total Mexican trade and Mexico has become the United States’ second largest trading partner since NAFTA was implemented.
In 2004, the economy grew by 4%, the strongest growth rate in several years.
With the overwhelming amount of trade between the United States and Mexico, there are abundant market opportunities for U.S. firms in Mexico.
Mexico’s geographic proximity to the United States has propelled the maquiladora industry with thousands of factories near the U.S.-Mexico border for export back into the United States. Marketing to these manufacturers could lead to substantial opportunities for U.S. firms.
The most promising sectors include: automotive parts, electronic components, housing and construction equipment, airport and ground support equipment, travel and tourism services, plastic materials and resins, energy technology and services, environmental technologies and equipment, telecommunications equipment, security and safety devices, hotel and restaurant equipment, inter-modal equipment, and education and training services. However, given the size of the Mexican market, there are numerous other promising prospects, including medical equipment, food processing equipment, opportunities in architecture/construction/engineering services, and more.
Mission Goals
The goal of this mission is to assist U.S. companies to gain market exposure in the Mexican market and to find agents, distributors, representatives, or strategic alliance partners in their respective industry sectors. The mission will also educate U.S. companies on how to export to Mexico.
Mission Scenario
U.S. firms will take part in formal matchmaking sessions with Mexico City- and Monterrey-based companies. The participating U.S. firms will also be given opportunities to interact with local company representatives at networking events. For the one-on-one sessions, all U.S. companies, together with a Commercial Specialist and/or trade aide will visit their Mexican counterparts at their facilities. The precise schedule will depend on the availability of local business representatives and the specific goals and objectives of the mission participants.
Timetable
The Rocky Mountain Region Trade Mission to Mexico City and Monterrey will take place from February 12 –17, 2006. The participants will arrive according to their own schedules in Mexico City by the evening of February 12 in order to begin the program the next morning. The Trade Mission will start on February 13 with a breakfast briefing “Doing Business in Mexico” at the U.S. Trade Center, which will include presentations on legal & tax issues; NAFTA certificates & shipping/customs issues; and an overview of the Mexican economy and developments in U.S.-Mexico bilateral trade since the implementation of NAFTA. Following the briefing, the participants will have one-on-one meetings, with an evening reception to meet key contacts. One-on-one meetings will also be held on February 14, with the trade mission participants flying on to Monterrey that evening.
In Monterrey, there will be two days of gold key appointments on February 15 and 16. Participants will be free to depart for the United States on the morning of February 17.
Criteria for Participation
The trade mission participation fee will be US $3300 per company. The target number of companies for this mission is 10, with a cut-off date of January 6, 2006.
Criteria for participation are as follows:
Timely and adequate provision of the company’s product/service information and literature, to communicate the company’s objectives and enable the scheduling of effective appointments.
Relevance of the company’s business line to the mission goals.
Market potential for the company’s products and/or services.
Timely receipt of the company’s completed application, completed Participation Agreement, and the participation fee.
The company’s products and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States. If the company’s products and/or services are manufactured or produced outside the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm with the U.S. content consisting of at least 51 percent of the value of the finished goods or services.
Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process. Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Internet, direct mail and broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and announcements at industry meetings, conferences, and trade shows.
Contact Information:
Mr. John D. Breidenstine
Commercial Counselor
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2602
Fax [52](55) 5705-7434
Mr. Todd Avery
Commercial Officer
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2612
Fax [52](55) 5705-7434
Mr. Adrian Orta
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2619
Fax [52](55) 5705-7434
Ms. Selina Marquez
Denver U.S. Export Assistance Center
1625 Broadway
Suite 680
Denver, CO 80202
303-844-6623, ext. 15
303-844-5651