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.

Mexico Smart Grid Market to Reach $8.3 Million

“Mexico is well positioned to develop into a leading smart grid market, both in the Latin America region and globally.”

The Mexico Smart Grid Market Forecast that was released late last week by DC-based research and consulting firm Northeast Group, projects that the total market will reach at least $8.3 billion by the year 2020, trailing only Brazil in all of Latin America. This opportunity is represented largely by the smart metering market in Mexico, which plans to deploy more than 21 million smart meters by the end of this decade. In addition, areas of the market, such as distribution automation, wide area measurement and home energy management are expected to grow substantially over this period.

Doing Business in Mexico: Driving the Americas Forward

“If you’re not operating in Mexico, you may be missing a very significant opportunity,” Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Mexico says about Mexico as an international investment opportunity. As any iconic brand, Coca-Cola has become deeply embedded in Mexico’s culture. “It’s been mutually beneficial,” Joseph Tripodi, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer for Coca-Cola includes his experience in Mexico: “the Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola system, and Mexico – as a country and a market, and as an opportunity."

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.

Honda Plans 50 Millon Dollar Expansion in U.S.

Honda Motor Co. will invest $50 million its Logan County transmission plant in Ohio. The company announced this past Wednesday that it plans to add a 75,0000-square-foot expansion in Russells Point to increase capacity for the casting of aluminum transmission cases. When the project is complete, Honda's Transmission operations will encompass 1 million square feet. Honda officials said the expansion will create more than 100 jobs by 2013. Currently, the transmission plant has more than 1,000 employees.

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!

Mexico Annual Inflation Slows in September

Mexico inflation climbed less than expected in the first half of September, allowing Banxico to lower borrowing rates. Compared with the 0.36 percent rise that analysts expected, the consumer price index was 0.15 percent lower than expected. The annual inflation rate slowed to 3.16 percent through the first half of September.

Spirited Business Travelers: Must-see Mezcalerias in Mexico City

Mexico is known for being the home of tequila as well as ice-cold, refreshing Micheladas. Now, however, what is most popular is the Mexican liquor called Mezcal, an agave-based spirit similar to tequila. What used to be demeaningly considered 'for construction workers', "now has a very good image", says Junior Merino, owner of a cocktail consultant company, The Liquid Chef. "What's trending now in Mexico is the mezcalerias," he adds explaining that, "A lot of people are opening places dedicated to mezcal, not tequila. You find artisanal products, different varieties; sometimes the bottles don't even have labels." Place like Nobu and China Grill are both trending in the renovated Santa Fe district of Mexico City.

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.

NAFTA: U.S. Should Work More with Canada and Mexico

When it comes to Mexico foreign direct investment, many opine that NAFTA should be more widely implemented and it would be beneficial to not only Mexico's manufacturing industry, but for the U.S. economy to increase trade relations between the three countries. From an article written by Robert A. Pastor, a professor at American University and author of "The North American Idea: A Vision of a Continental Future," for the SFGate:

North America's share of the world gross product soared from 29 percent in 1994 to 36 percent in 2001. Since then, it has declined to where it was in 1994. Together, the three governments could recover our past success and spread the increasing benefits to those in our countries that have been left behind. It all starts with a North American idea - a healthy respect for our neighbors and a determination to create a formidable regional community.

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.

Mexican Soft Drink Company Coca-Cola Femsa to Acquire Grupo Cisma Bottler

Today, in Invest in Mexico news, it's been reported that Coca-Cola Femsa is going to buy local Mexican bottler company Grupo Cimsa. Putting refreshments in the hands of over 5 million people by working with over 70,000 retailers, Cimsa has been valued at $838 million by Coca-Cola Femsa. Read more about this piece of manufacturing news in the official release by the Mexican soft drink maker.

Turkish Stocks Rebounds to World's Best this Month as Banks Cut Rates

“Foreigners are just starting to realize that our central bank is doing great things for bank earnings at the moment, and the ISE is going to outperform as long as banks are being bought,” said Isik Okte, a trader at Finans Invest, an Istanbul-based brokerage. As this Bloomberg.com article suggests, Turkey “may actually be at the forefront of central bank policy-making,” and countries including Mexico, South Africa, Hungary and Poland may follow, Anne, the head of emerging-market strategy at Societe Generale, said in an interview.

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."

Euro Debt Concerns Ease and Mexico Stocks Close Higher

After the emergency teleconference in which the European leaders spoke about ways to prevent the Greek default, Mexico's IPC index gained 2.1% for second-straight winning session. The talks taking place these past two days have eased the fears of the dreaded Greek default -- making Mexican stocks OHL Mexico, America Movil and Chedraui among the top gainers of the session.

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.