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.

A Global View of Manufacturing

Global trade is on the rise and that means that more businesses are looking to have their products manufactured by overseas firms in order to increase profitability. While there are many benefits to operating with an international manufacturing partner, it may seem an overwhelming or difficult option for small businesses or start-up organisations. Here is advice from the CEO of Tosh, a company that manufacturers London souvenirs with a balanced price-quality ratio. He shares his experience and professional tips above.

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.

Plastics Industry to Expand Greatly before End of Year

Did you know that the plastics industry in Mexico has generated 15,000 new jobs in Mexico? Eduardo Martinez Hernandez, Chairman of the Mexican Association of Plastics Industry or Asociacion Nacional de Industrias del Plastico (ANIPAC), informed that businessmen in this sector are expecting a 9% growth in Mexico, among the highest in productive sectors.

Mexico To Manufacture Aircraft with 100% Mexican Components

In the next ten years, Mexico will be manufacturing an aircraft made up of 100% domestic components. During a presentation at Mexico's Aerospace Summit in Chihuahua, Mexico, Luis Oliva, head of ProMexico's investment promotion and international business unit, said that foreign aerospace companies are investing more than $1 billion in manufacturing ventures in the country each year. As part of the Summit, representatives of the company Zodiac Aerospace signed an agreement to invest $14 million in the region's aerospace industry.

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.

Emerging Market Currencies, Peso and Real, Rebound on Hopes for Greece

Late Monday trading yielded positive results for Mexico and Brazil's currencies. The expectation that the euro zone and the European Central Bank will take stronger measures and take a more active role to prevent a Greek default from spreading to Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy helped markets rebound in late in the day yesterday. Mexico's peso (MXN=D2) rose 0.60 percent to 13.5019 to the dollar.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.