Mexico Rises 8 Ranks on 2011-2012 Global Competitiveness Report

Mexico beat it's own 2010-2011 ranking of No. 66 in global competitiveness, according to the World Economic Forum’s GCI Report. The 2011-2012 Global Competitiveness Report states that Mexico has “one of the highest improvements in regional rankings.” Mexico’s global competitiveness ranking rose eight spots from last year; Mexico currently holds No. 58 on this list. In addition to making significant improvements in technology and economic policy, Mexico is also emerging as an ideal market for entrepreneurs.

U.S. Exports Lead Poisoning to Mexico With Used Batteries

It has been reported that lead battery exports are contributing to lead exposure in Mexico. The reported levels detected greatly exceed the allowed by the U.S. government on the job and in the environment. This information has been found out by two environmental organizations, one on Mexican and another on U.S soil.

Usually less strict environmental and occupational safety regulations in Mexico make it profitable for U.S. companies to ship batteries to Mexico for recycling, the report finds.

The report, "Exporting Hazards: U.S. Shipments of Used Lead Batteries to Mexico Take Advantage of Lax Environmental and Worker Health Regulations," finds that from 2009 to 2010, exports of used lead batteries to Mexico more than doubled. The authors of the report found that roughly 12 percent of used lead batteries generated in the United States are exported to Mexico. They also note in the report that the use battery exports from the U.S. to Mexico are on the rise since the tightening of U.S. air quality standards in 2008.

"This report raises serious concerns about the contribution of used batteries from the U.S. to lead poisoning south of the border," said Perry Gottesfeld, executive director of Occupational Knowledge International. "It is remarkable that both governments allow U.S. companies to export batteries to Mexico where there is neither the regulatory capacity nor the technology in place to recycle them safely," Gottesfeld said. "There are significant health effects from lead at the exposure levels we have documented."

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances says lead can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system.

The report was conducted between November 2010 and May 2011 and evaluated lead battery recycling facilities across Mexico and the United States. Click here to view the report.

Read the entire article on the report here.

Mexico Opens Up To Foreign Oil Investors

The Mexican Petroleum industry has long been defined by an relying too heavily on major oil fields - Cantarell and Ku-Maloob-Zaap (KMZ) - and not investing enough in exploration. Mexico ranks sixth in the world as an oil producer but declines in production are setting the country on the path of becoming a net importer. See more on what Mexico opening up the market to foreign oil investors means.

Mexico Investment Summit 2012

If you're interested in learning more about investing in Mexico, you can't miss The Mexico Investment Summit this January 2012 in Mexico City. The three day conference will be focusing on these areas of growth in the Mexican economy:

Pension investment
Private equity & venture captial
Healthcare
Technology
Infrastructure
Tourism
Real estate
Agriculture
Oil, gas & mining

Mexico is a regional leader and business influencer in Latin America and there's already great insight into why investing in Mexico is such a great opportunity:

"The Mexico Investment Summit focuses on a country that many consider to be the world's best combination of logistically based geography and phenomenal natural resources, a discussion important not only for its positive internal impacts, but for it's strategic effects on North American and world competitiveness."

Jeffrey M. Jones, Venture Partner, Alta Growth Capital, President, JMax Asociados SC

Find out more for yourself on the official Mexico Investment Summit 2012 website.

President Calderon: 'Invest in Mexico'

President Felipe Calderon received executive officers from Avaya Inc., a New Jersey-based company specializing in business communication services, applications and systems, to discuss some of the actions carried out by his Administration to attract productive investment.

In the meeting, President Calderon stressed the responsible management of public finances and an unprecedented amount of investment in infrastructure -- almost 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Read more about why President Calderon says companies should invest in mexico.

Canada sees opportunity in Mexico

According to the The Maquila Portal, Canadian businessmen are keeping a high interest in investing in Mexico. Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, Guillermo Rishchynski pointed-out that in the last decade Canadian investment in Mexico was over US$10 billion.