Plasma Gasification Corp. Converts Waste to Energy

For the past three years, Plasma Gasification Corp., based in Monterrey, Mexico, has been developing a microwave-induced Plasma2Energy cellulose-to-energy system. The Plasma2Energy technology involves converting waste to energy through the biomass gasification process. By working with post-sorted municipal solid waste, the company’s technology has the power to help establish a more sustainable environmental economy...More on MexicoToday.org.

Microsoft Opens First Spanish-Language Center in Mexico

Via Mexico Today: Microsoft Corporation has opened its first technology center in Latin America that will provide technological resources to businesses in Mexico. The technology center is located in Mexico City and will provide training for an astonishing 2,300 software developers. Microsoft hopes to invest $690 million in Mexico in the upcoming year...in keeping with its investment plans, Microsoft has inaugurated its Spanish-language center this week.

Harley-Davidson Reveals New Generation of Dealerships in Mexico

A new dealership of the emblematic brand of motorcycles, Harley Davidson, will be opened this 2011 in Mexico. The 15th dealership in Mexico, will represent a new generation of dealerships. The inauguration ceremony was headed by Fausto Lopez, Harley-Davidson’s CEO in Mexico, who said: “At Harley-Davidson we are reaffirming our commitment to take customers closer to their dreams and create experiences of a lifetime… for a lifetime."

Chipotle Mexican Grill Shines in U.S. Slow Economy

According to studies found by NPD Group, the number of annual restaurant visits by a typical Millennial (person from 18-24 years old) has plummeted from 245 visits five years ago to 192 this year. As the economy in Europe and the U.S. lags, fast food restaurants are focusing on deals and cost-cutting measures again, something that can be challenging with high commodity costs and spikes in the price of some meats like pork. So what's Chipotle's secret? Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has managed to handle the downturn quite well because its tip-less at-the-counter service is more attractive to consumers trying to save money.

Greek Crisis Affects Mexican Peso Today

The 120-day correlation coefficient between Mexican bonds and Treasuries dropped to a nine-month low of 0.29 from a high of 0.57 last week.

Mexico’s bonds, the emerging-market securities most correlated with U.S. Treasuries, are no longer moving in lockstep with debt from its northern neighbor as Europe’s debt crisis curbs demand for all but the safest assets.

“We expect the European authorities to finally react,” said Alonso Madero, who helps manage about $5.5 billion at Corp. Actinver SAB, in a telephone interview from Mexico City. “We would expect confidence to return to the markets little by little and see the same correlation return.”

World's First Transatlantic Flight Using Biofuel

CNN reported in mid-August that a recent Aeromexico flight from Mexico City to Madrid was extremely news worthy, due to the fact that it was the world's first transatlantic flight (on a commercial airline) using exclusively a new type of biofuel. Mexico is already known for its oil production and, since it the inauguration of a biodiesel plant by Presidente Calderón in 2010, many believe that Mexico is on its way to becoming a leader in the future of biofuel production. Thanks in part to its flats of arid, marginal land, Mexico presents advantages to biofuel production -- its growing popularity all over the globe furthering its biofuel production.

Mexico follows Thailand, South Korea and Russia adding Gold Reserves to Its Coffers

Gold had its worst weekly performance in more than four months after investors sold metal alongside global equities and other commodities on growing concern that the global economy will enter a second phase of economic crisis. Global stocks entered a difficult market for the first time in more than two years this week: oil touched a six-week low and copper fell to the lowest level in a year, numbers that display worries that the debt crisis in Europe may escalate as the U.S. faces another recession. The Federal Reserve said Sept. 21 there are “significant downside risks” to the outlook. Although its value has decreased, last month Russia’s central bank increased its gold reserves from 27 million at the end of July to 27.2 million troy ounces. This Sept. 20, Bank Rossii joined Thailand, South Korea and Mexico in adding the metal to their coffers.

How Everyday Things are Made: Lesson by Stanford University

If you've ever wondered how everyday items such as cars, candy or a home appliance are made, click on this link on the manufacturing industry that will walk you through a presentation that will show you the basics of manufacturing. A must see!

The Economy in Mexico: Foreign Direct Investment

This video from The Economist explains how Mexico is still the largest trader in all Latin American and how the economy is bouncing back from the effects of the U.S. recession. Listen to this economic journalist explain how Mexico is implementing its current economic strategies across the globe.

Mexico's Booming Garment Manufacturing Industry

Did you know that not only is Mexico a leader in the automobile and aerospace engineering and manufacturing industries, but in the textile manufacturing business as well? According to data from Banxico (Banco de Mexico), the Mexican Chamber of Garments Industry, and Camara Nacional de la Industria del Vestido (Canaive), sales of clothing garments made in Mexico abroad are assisting national production levels from falling. Banxico’s data reveals that exports have started growing over the past 2 years; in the first half of 2010 they grew 5.3% and from January to June 2011 growth was 7.8%.

Italy's Credit Rating Lowered by Standard and Poor-Austerity Measures Labeled 'Insufficient'

Due to its higher-than-expected levels of government debt and weakening economic growth, Standard and Poor has lowered Italy's credit rating a notch - to "A/A-1" from "A+/A-1+." "We believe the reduced pace of Italy's economic activity to date will make the government's revised fiscal targets difficult to achieve," S&P said. The downgrade comes after the European Central Bank demanded this summer that Italy apply stiff austerity measures to calm investors facing doubts about how capable Italy is about handling its outrageous debt. Italy is the eurozone's No. 3 economy and has a deficit to gross domestic product ratio of 120 percent, one of Europe's highest. From NPR.org:

The bank has spent billions over the last month buying up Italian government bonds in a bid to lower Italy's borrowing costs and keep it from becoming the next eurozone nation to need an international bailout. The S&P downgrade, however, could lead to higher borrowing costs for Italy because it implies that investors face greater risks when buying Italian debt.

Nissan Investment in Mexico to Reach $328 Million

During the celebration of Nissan Mexicana’s 50th anniversary, President and CEO, Jose Muñoz, announced that the company will invest US$328 million more in their two plants in Mexico, located in Aguascalientes and Morelos. These resources will be allocated to manufacture new models like a multi-purpose vehicle based in V platform, which is assembled in the Aguascalientes plant, as well as the manufacturing of the Taxi of Tomorrow for New York City, which will be assembled at the CIVAC Plant located in Cuernavaca, Morelos and which is expected to be launched in 2013.

Latin American Stocks Rise on European Optimism for Greece

Latin American stocks rose yesterday after European leaders rallied to prevent a Greek default and stem the debt crisis in the euro zone. Volume in Mexico and Brazil remained in line with recent sessions and did not suggest that investors were flocking back to the region's stocks. "The message they wanted to portray is that Greece is and will remain part of the euro zone. They made it sound to me, as a pretty strong commitment from all sides," said Alberto Bernal, head of analysis at Bulltick Capital Markets in Miami.

Vegas Caters to Thousands of Mexican Visitors for Independence Day

At least six-thousand Mexicans will be flying in for the "Dieciseis de Septiembre" holiday (Mexican Independence Day) tomorrow -- and this figure doesn't even include the others that may be driving in. Casinos and hotels are eager to receive Mexican vacationers since these visitors normally stay in Las Vegas longer and spend more money-- $1,000 each, excluding gambling. Mexican visitors are eager to come to Las Vegas for vacation, a place that's close to home but at the same time has an international feel and is ready and eager to host this rush of visitors. "It's a vast amount of people coming in from Mexico," said McCarran International Airport spokesman, Chris Jones. "The airport's happy to accommodate them, obviously. (It) means money coming in and supporting our community, our economy and jobs."

Siemens Mexico: Over a century of accomplishments doing business in Mexico

Siemens Mesoamerica CEO Louise Goeser spoke with Mexico Today about why she considers Mexico to be the best place to invest. In this interview, Goeser unveils little-known realities about doing business in Mexico, including Mexico’s status as the world’s most open economy.

Up to 1.8 Billion Dollars in Investment Expected for Mexico's Plastic Industry

Eduardo Martinez Hernandez, the Chairman of the National Association of Plastics Industries (Asociacion Nacional de Industrias del Plastico (ANIPAC)), announced the upcoming plastics-focused tradeshow the 17th annual PLASTIMAGEN Mexico, to be held next October 4th to the 7th at Banamex Center in Mexico City. After having announced that by the end of 2011 investment in the plastics industry in Mexico should reach US$1.8 billion, the chairman added that machinery purchase deals could fetch up to US$450 million each.

Mexico's New Anti-Venom: A Pharmaceutical Win From Mexico to the U.S. Market

Did you know that Scorpion stings can cause blurred vision, slurred speech, nauseas and even death? An anti-venom being produced in Mexico was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a scorpion sting treatment. The first drug of its kind approved by FDA, the accomplishment is a result of 12 years of research and development. Scorpion stings are seen most prominently in Arizona, Southern Nevada, and New Mexico, as well as in Mexico and Morrocco.

"Born in Italy, Made in Mexico, Sold in China"

Fiat, now owned by Chrysler, has been anticipating the official launch of the standard 500 model in the Chinese market. In order to prepare for this, the automaker unveiled the Fiat 500 First Edition at Shanghai, a special version limited to 100 units. The plant where this model is produced is located in Toluca, Mexico and was created at the cost of 550 million USD. Capable of producing 120,000 vehicles a year, half of the production of the small city car will be sent to the U.S. while the other half will be sent to Brazil and China. The special Fiat 500 First Edition model displays several custom graphics on its sides, created by Chinese designers to represent the link between Italy and China. Sales in China are due to begin this September 2011.

GE Technology to Provide More Power for Northern Mexico

GE has recently announced that at the Latin America Engineering, Procurement & Construction Summit in Mexico City (EPC) that it will provide two Frame 7FA Gas turbines and provide long-term services for the Norte II Combined-Cycle Power Plant. As part of an independent power project (IPP) scheduled to enter commercial operation in May 2013, the power plant, located in Chihuahua, Mexico, will increase the region’s supply of reliable power and lower-emissions output.

Mexico Expected to Remain Latin America's Top Borrower

Mexico is seeking to step up overseas borrowing in 2012 after raising $3 billion this year from international offerings, more than any other country in Latin America. Borrowing is bringing a large amount of investment into Latin America’s second-biggest economy.

After raising $3 billion this year from international offerings -- more than any other country in Latin America -- Mexico is looking to keep steady, and improve, its overseas borrowing in 2012. According to the budget proposal presented on Sept. 8, Mexico's government is asking Congress for authorization to boost net external debt by $7 billion in 2012, up from the $5 billion increase it was granted for this year. But how does this compare to other emerging economies such as Brazil or Colombia?

It's reported that while these countries are making debt sales abroad to eschew gains in their currencies, in the mean time Mexico has been tapping into global markets to lock in record-low borrowing costs in the U.S.

Mexico has sold $15 billion of bonds outside its local market since 2009, up from $7 billion in the previous three years, while Brazil cut its sales 12 percent over that period to $6.9 billion. A lack of “high-quality sovereign debt” issues from developing nations will help fuel demand for more Mexican bonds, said Jeremy Brewin, who helps manage about $3.5 billion in emerging-market debt with Aviva Investors in London. “The appetite for external sovereign debt is quite robust so for Mexico to issue an extra $7 billion, I don’t think that’ll be a challenge,” he said.