Mission Statement

Study USA Trade Mission to Mexico

October 18-21, 2006

Mission Description

The U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Commercial Service Mexico City and ITA Education Team will recruit and coordinate a three-stop, higher education industry trade mission event to Mexico City, Puebla and Querétaro, Mexico October 18-21, 2006. Participating U.S. colleges and universities will attend the American School Foundation (ASF) events in Mexico City and Querétaro, as well as conduct school visits in Puebla to recruit Mexican students for undergraduate programs. In addition, CS Mexico City will provide all participants with an in-depth briefing on the Mexican Education market and will hold a networking reception for the delegation with local private and public sector officials, as well as educational agents and counselors.  

Commercial Setting

• International students in the United States represent an annual income of US$4 billion.

• More than 70 percent of the foreign universities chosen by Mexican students were U.S institutions. Mexican students prefer to study in the United States because of its geographical location, commercial ties and quality of school programs.

• Open Doors 2005 reports that Mexico sent 13,063 students to the United States in academic year 2004/2005, making Mexico the seventh leading country of origin for students in the U.S. The majority of Mexican students (63%) study at the undergraduate level, with a smaller number (30%) studying at the graduate level and the remaining students in English language courses.

• Studies from the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES) indicate that cooperation among Mexican and international institutions of higher education has increased dramatically since the year 2000. This cooperation has been a strategic element in the strengthening of Mexican education.

• The United States is the largest foreign investor in Mexico, its largest trading partner, the leading source of its international tourists, and, most importantly for U.S. institutions, the preferred destination for Mexican nationals seeking language, undergraduate & graduate education.

Mission Goals

The goal of this mission is to assist U.S. schools to gain market exposure in Mexico and to recruit more Mexican students (in three of Mexico’s most dynamic cities) for undergraduate programs in the United States.

The mission will also educate representatives from U.S. schools in finding new ways to work with Mexican schools.

Mission Scenario

The Trade Mission will begin on October 18, with a briefing at the Sheraton Ma. Isabel Hotel, which will include an overview of the Mexican Education Industry. The briefing will be given by the Education USA Mexico group (USAID, Institute of International Education, Fulbright Commission, Public Affairs Office & Commercial Service) and will be followed by a visit to the Embassy’s Visa Pavilion for participants to learn and better understand the student visa process. A cocktail reception that evening will provide mission members the opportunity to interact with local industry specialists, as well as public and private school advisors and directors. On October 19, mission members will participate in the ASF Querétaro Fair and on Oct. 20 they will travel from Mexico City to Puebla to visit bilingual schools. On Oct. 21, mission members will participate in the ASF Mexico City Fair, known as the most important fair in Mexico for recruitment of students interested in acquiring a foreign degree.

Timetable

The participants will arrive according to their own schedules in Mexico City by October 18 in order to begin the program that afternoon. The participants will overnight in Mexico City October 18, 19, and 20. On the mornings of October 19 and October 20, they will travel by bus to Queretaro and Puebla respectively to participate in the activities there. Each city is located one and a half hours from Mexico City. On the final day, October 21, mission members will remain in Mexico City to participate in the ASF Mexico City Fair.

Criteria for Participation

The trade mission participation fee will be US $900 per school. The target number of schools for this mission is 20, with a cut-off date for applications of September 15, 2006. Fee does not include meals, lodging, or transportation other than explicitly stated. Late applications will be considered based on space limitations.

Criteria for participation are as follows:

• 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.
• Potential for business in the selected market

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be 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. Todd Avery
Commercial Officer
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2612
Fax [52](55) 5566-1111

Ms. Martha Sánchez
U.S. Embassy – FCS
P.O. Box 9000
Brownsville, Texas 78520-0900
Tel. [52](55) 5140-2621
Fax [52](55) 5566-1111

Mr. James Paul
Boston U.S. Export Assistance Center
U.S. Department of Commerce
164 Northern Ave., Suite 307
Boston, MA 02210
Tel. (617) 424-5955