Information collected from media reports over the past month:
- Real estate: Mexican commercial real estate developer Grupo Gigante is preparing investment in new developments in excess of US$800 million, the company reported. The new developments include two shopping malls in Guadalajara and two housing developments in Mexico City, among others. (Reforma, October 2, 2012)
- Automotive: Mexican auto parts manufacturer Nemak revealed investment of approximately US$230 million this year in new plants, expansions and other infrastructure. The company reported that strong demand from Audi and Ford is driving growth in its operations in Mexico and China. (Reforma, October 2, 2012)
- Retail: U.S. grocery and general merchandise retailer H.E.B. reported it plans to invest approximately US$60 million to open 4-5 new stores in northeastern Mexico next year. Resources will also be channeled into remodeling existing retail locations. (Reforma, October 4, 2012)
- Electronics: U.S. electronics manufacturer Plantronics plans investment of up to US$50 million to consolidate its operations in the northern city of Tijuana. The manufacturer of communications headsets plans to move design and production activities into a new, solar-powered corporate center in the border city. (El Financiero, October 10, 2012)
- Mining: Operations got underway at the first manganese mine in the northern state of Zacatecas, following a joint investment by Mexican and Chinese investors. Capital to initiate exploitation of the manganese deposits was provided by Chinese investors identified as China Yunnan Metal Company. Production is intended for export to China. (El Financiero, October 9, 2012)
- Solar energy: Swiss power and automation technology giant ABB opened a solar power generation park in the central state of San Luís Potosí. The plant is planned to have a generation capacity of 1.2 MW and required investment estimated at approximately US3.6 million. (Greentech Lead, October 5, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »
As another year comes to a close we can’t help feeling some frustration that the economy just doesn’t seem to want to take off, both around the world and here in Mexico. Between the Eurozone debt crisis and stubborn unemployment in the United States, among other topics, we’ve got plenty to keep us fretting for the foreseeable future. But since the holidays are upon us and presumably it’s a time for good cheer, here are some of the talking points we’ll have in our pocket as we hit the punch bowl hard in the coming days:
