Last January 1st the North American Free Trade Agreement #NAFTA celebrated its 20th anniversary. Back in 1992, the perspective of President Carlos Salinas’s #CarlosSalinas was to impulse Mexico’s exports to the North; Mexico’s most important trade partners. For many years it was not fully clear if either the agreement would develop a higher dependency to these countries, or only will facilitate the imports in Mexico from U.S. and Canada. Today, and after been influenced by several global economic factors NAFTA has shown its long term perspective was right. It has not only development but also has established sustainable possibilities for companies like the Canadian Bombardier. This aircraft producer in order to be able to keep competing against its European rivals, has not only trust, bus also invested ($250m) in Mexico with the construction of a first world plant in Querétaro as “The Economist” reports. (NAFTA at 20: Ready to take off again? | The Economist)
Today, Mexico internationalization strategy has established around 44 Trade agreements and provides possibilities to trade with xx countries. The clue of a nation to be able to survive in a world of competitiveness is to create attractiveness and invest in its competitiveness as my former professor Stephane Garelli at the HEC Lausanne, explained to us. This brilliant strategically thinking has, after 20 years, showed a success for the NAFTA.
Next February, the presidents of the 3 member (USA, CANADA and Mexico) will meet in Mexico to re-launch the Trade Agreement. Several areas of opportunities are up to be discussed. In my opinion, security worries are on the top of blocking its upmost of the NAFTA good performance. In this sense, Europe has been a good example with the implementation of the Schengen Agreement. I wonder if all the changes occurred in international trade, conditions and perspectives with Asia, and seeking for leaving back a recession would be enough reasons to finally support the creation of a borderless region.
But, what does this represent for European companies? Which areas of opportunities are stilled untapped? Could this be representing a shortcut to the USA Market?
Switzerland as an example of innovation, high technology and precision instruments has to consider its possibilities in areas such as: manufacturing, bio-technology, Medtec, construction, automotive, aerospace, etc. Nevertheless, between these industries many areas of opportunities are still untapped, and mainly for Swiss SME’s that develop specific technologies and can not only take advantage of the excellent bilateral relations (CH-MX), the common Free trade (EFTA) agreement that exists since 2002 but also the opportunities of the NAFTA. Would you like to learn more about the potential of your company in Mexico and U.S.? Let us work asses you in how can you profit of the NAFTA through Mexico.