Mexican Secretariat of Economy promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development by working in partnership with businesses, industrial and commerce associations, universities, and communities, with a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, internal market, and statistical research and analysis.

In order to improve competitiveness in the global marketplace, the Secretariat works to strengthen international trade. It also promotes progressive business policies that help Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs grow and succeed.

Competitiveness

One of the most important objectives of the Technical Secretariat of Competitiveness is to achieve a favorable business environment which gives consumers access to goods and services under conditions of greater equality. It also seeks the attraction and retention of foreign investment which helps to generate a positive effect on employment and growth.

Among other goals, the Technical Secretariat of Competitiveness works to protect the national production in terms of international trade. It also applies the Mexican regulation in order to assure the internal market competitiveness.

OCDE - SE Collaboration

An initiative for the Strengthening of Competition and Regulatory Improvement in Mexico

The aim is to drive competitiveness in Mexico, to improve the business environment through facilitating the opening, functioning and growth of businesses.

Regulatory Cooperation
Mexico-United States

High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council between Mexico and the United States.

The aim is to facilitate compliance with regulations and reduce transaction costs to further trade and investment between both countries.

Mexico in Competitiveness Indexes

Several indexes measure and compare the competitiveness of countries. The most-used indexes are the Global Competitiveness Index, developed by the World Economic Forum; the Doing Business Index, developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank; the World Competitiveness Yearbook of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and the International Competitiveness Index, built by the Mexican Competitiveness Institute (IMCO).

Principal Indexes

1. World Economic Forum

Annual Report on Global Competitiveness

The WEF defines competitiveness as: the set of institutions, policies and factors which determine a country's level of productivity. The Annual Report of Global Competitiveness analyzes the 139 major economies based on 12 pillars.

2. World Bank

Doing Business

The Doing Business report is published annually by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, and analyzes 183 economies based on 10 indicators. The Doing Business project encompasses two types of data: the review of laws and regulations and time and motion indicators.

3. International Institute for Management Development (IMD)

World Competitiveness Yearbook

The World Competitiveness Yearbook, WCY, analyzes the 59 major economies using four factors: economic performance, government efficiency, efficiency for doing business and infrastructure development.

4. Mexican Competitiveness Institute

International Competitiveness Index

The IMCO defines competitiveness as the capacity of a country or region to attract and retain investment and talent. The International Competitiveness Index analyzes 48 principal economies based on 10 factors.

Initiative for Strengthening Competition and Regulatory Reform for Competitiveness

What is the Objective?

To improve Mexico's competitiveness through the reform and amendment of the regulatory and institutional framework, and improve the business environment by facilitating the opening, operation and growth of its businesses. In addition, this initiative generates proposals to promote Mexico's development by boosting productivity, economic growth and the generation of better quality products and services at better prices.

What does the OECD do for Mexico?

The OECD has provided Mexico with recommendations, strategies, advice and the construction of capacities based on international best practices. The OECD's contributions have taken the form of notes, executive presentations, detailed reports, courses, work documents and formal OECD publications.

Who is Involved?

The initiative is coordinated by the Undersecretary of Competitiveness and Standardization of the Secretariat of Economy and involves OECD specialists on regulatory policy and competitiveness policy, the Federal Commission on Regulatory Reform (COFEMER) and the Federal Competitiveness Commission (CFC).

High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council (HLRCC) between Mexico and United States

The HLRCC is a bilateral initiative aimed at facilitating compliance with regulations and reducing the costs of transactions which promote and trade and investment between both countries

Background

On May 29th, 2010, Presidents Felipe Calderón and Barack Obama reaffirmed the strategic bilateral collaboration between Mexico and the United States, instructing the creation of the High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council between both nations, composed of senior officials from entities dedicated to the regulations, trade and foreign relations of the two countries.

Terms of Reference

The Council has six main objectives:

1. To make regulations more compatible, enhance simplification and reduce administrative costs, without putting at risk the public health, public safety, environmental protection and the national security.

2. To increase regulatory transparency for the building of regulatory frameworks designed to reach greater levels of competitiveness and promote development.

3. To simplify regulatory requirements by means of public participation.

4. To improve and simplify regulations by strengthening the analytical basis of the regulations.

5. To connect regulatory harmonization and simplification with improvements to customs and border crossing processes.

6. To improve the technical cooperation.

The Council's Terms of Reference also established that its first task would be to create a Work Plan to implement the said objectives.

Public Consultation

In order to carry out the Council's first task, both countries embarked on an extensive consultation process with the general public.

On March 3rd, 2011, the United States Department of Trade published an invitation in the Public Register calling for the public to propose possible areas of regulatory improvement between both countries. The invitation was closed on April 14th, 2011 after receiving 48 comments.

A similar invitation was published in Mexico on April 14th, 2011, in the Official Gazette of the Federation. The public consultation ended on May 16th, 2011 having received 252 proposals for regulatory improvement between Mexico and the United States. It also included the participation of 79 businesses and 26 chambers of commerce. The main topics addressed in the proposals were the following:

“It was suggested that those proposals which were not incorporated into the Council's Work Plan be analyzed and considered in parallel by existing committees within the NAFTA, such as the Committee on Standards-Related Measures (CSRM) and the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (CSPM), among others”.

Innovation

Internationally, a positive relationship is being seen between innovation and economic growth.

In the most developed countries, innovation explains between two-thirds and three-quarters of growth rates in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) observed between 1995 and 2006.

Through innovation, wealth reaches a greater number of people and businesses.

A country with greater strengths in innovation will be better able to increase its productivity not only by the effect generated by any innovation, but above all because it will be better prepared to face the uncertainties of today's global competitive environment.

Logistics

The SE, SCT and IDB work to drive a National System of Logistics Platforms to give focus to national policy in the area.

National Innovation Program

The program establishes public policies which enable the promotion and strengthening of innovation in productive processes and services, to increase the competitiveness of the national economy in the short, medium and long term. Go to the PNI

National Innovation Program

The National Innovation Program (PNI) aims to establish public policies which enable the promotion and strengthening of innovation in productive processes and services, in order to increase the competitiveness of the national economy in the short, medium and long term. It seeks to promote and strengthen innovation in production and service processes to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the national productive system.

The program is helping to reinforce the link between the education, basic and applied sciences, technology and innovation.

Agencies and institutions from the academic, public and private sectors are involved in the creation, design and implementation of the PNI.

The program establishes a strategy based on 4 premises and 6 pillars.

The premises of the innovation strategy are:

1.- Innovation is a national priority; only through innovation can we increase the competitiveness of our economy and reach the growth rates and creation of quality jobs that Mexico needs.

2.- Since available resources are scarce, efforts must be concentrated on areas of greatest impact.

3.- To develop an integral strategy, coordination mechanisms must be established between agents.

4.- Accountability mechanisms enable the continuous review and improvement of public policies.

Pillars of the Innovation Strategy

1.- National and International Market

Goal: To strengthen domestic and foreign demand for innovative products, services, models and business created in Mexico.
Stakeholders: Consumers, businesses and government.

2.- Generation of Strategic Knowledge

Goal: To increase the availability and applicability of knowledge aimed at innovation.
Stakeholders: Higher education institutions, research centers and businesses.

3.- Strengthening Business Innovation

Goal: To fortify the core of businesses and public entities which demand the generation of innovative ideas and solutions for the market.
Stakeholders: Businesses and public entities.

4.- Innovation Financing

Goal: To promote the availability of public and private resources to increase the financing sources necessary for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Stakeholders: Government, private investors and financial market.

5.- Human Capital

Goal: To improve and increase the productive, creative and innovative contributions of individuals.
Stakeholders: Workers, students, business people and educational institutions.

6.- Regulatory and Institutional Framework

Goal: To establish the bases of a regulatory and institutional framework which favors innovation.
Stakeholders: Public, private and academic sectors.

Logistics

National System of Logistics Platforms

The objective is to give a territorial approach to national policy on logistics. The Secretariat of Communications and Transport and the Secretariat of Economy are collaborating with the Inter-American Development Bank to push a National System of Logistics Platforms.

The goals of the system are:

1) To promote the competitiveness of Mexican logistics infrastructure, in accordance with the National Infrastructure Program 2007-2012.

2) To drive innovation to make domestic and foreign market supply chains more competitive.

3) To establish a competitive logistics land-use regulation.

4) To facilitate industrial and trade activities, both in the domestic market and in foreign trade, through the development of necessary infrastructure and logistics services.

Logistics Statistics

1) Logistics performance index 2009: 3.05 where 1 is low and 5 is high. World Bank indicators show that in 2010, Mexico ranked 50th from 155 countries.

2) Logistics costs of Mexican businesses: 10.3% of sales, of which: 40% is related to transport costs and 60% to inventories, order processing, storage and planning of transport operations management (data from A.T. Kearney consulting firm).

3) Logistics costs in Mexico represent 15.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to A.T. Kearney's estimates contained in the Logistics Competitiveness Agenda 2008-2012.

Occupational Competencies

The Management Committee for competencies for Logistics and the Supply Chain in Mexico was installed on March 4, 2010. It currently has six technical groups: Warehouses, Trucking, Railroad, Mobile Cranes, Maritime and Hoists.

The Committee's goals are:

1) To promote the development of competitive standards in functions related to logistics and the supply chain.

2) To define the human capital agenda that includes topics on training, incentives and job transfer.

3) To develop and/or update competency standards, assessment instruments and impact mechanisms which encourage worker certification.

4) To monitor and promote the operation of assessment and certification solutions.

Two competence standards have been published: “Planning of Product Inventory Control" and "Mobile Crane Operation".

Two are in the process of publication: “Establishing Supply and Demand of the Domestic Product Trucking Service” and “Traveling Crane Operation” and others are being developed.

“Reliable Logistics Processes” seal

The “Reliable Logistics Processes” seal is a distinction based on prior evaluation. It will be granted to Mexican companies which demonstrate they have the capacity to improve their indicators for complete and on time delivery. The seal will enable them to enhance client service and increase the confidence of clients and suppliers.

Companies granted the seal will have a verification model which benefits their logistics development through:

1) The diagnosis and identification of niches of opportunity for improvement at the time of assessment.

2) Logistical improvement of key and support activities on using the seal.

3) Ongoing improvement to design and implement the appropriate categories of the Reliable Logistics Processes seal, according to the needs and requirements of their own core activities.

Foreign Trade

The Under Secretariat of Foreign Trade performs functions to strengthen the integration and competitiveness of Mexico in the global value chains, through negotiation, formalization and administration of treaties and international agreements on trade and investment.

International Trade Negotiations

Mexico has a network of 11 FTAs with 46 countries, 32 Reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (RIPPAs) and 9 trade agreements (Economic Complementation and Partial Scope Agreements) within the framework of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).

In addition, Mexico is an active participant in multilateral and regional organisms and forums such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the ALADI.

Additional information

Federal Supply Classification

North America

North American Free Trade Agreement

Information only available in Spanish

Trilateral Affairs

Bilateral Affairs Mexico-United States

High Level Economic Dialogue Progress Report
Joint Statement of President Calderón and President Obama, May 2012
US-Mexico High Level Regulatory Cooperation Council
XXI Century Border Joint Statement
XXI Century Border Management Executive Steering Committee
XXI Century Border Progress Report 2013

Bilateral Affairs Mexico-Canada

Latin America

Bilateral Initiatives

Information only available in Spanish

Argentina

Belice

Factsheet

Bolivia

Brazil

Colombia

Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela
Mexico's Tariff Reduction Schedule
Colombia's Tariff Reduction Schedule
Report on the Trade and Investment Relationship between Mexico and Colombia
Decree which determines that the FTA between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, is without effect between Mexico and Venezuela
Agreement announcing the applicable rate of General Import Tax for goods originating from Colombia
Decree of the Protocol amending the FTA between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela
Resolution amending the miscellaneous provisions establishing the general rules on the application of the customs-related provisions of the FTA between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela
Decree announcing the Protocol amending the FTA between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela
Decree which repeals the miscellaneous provision establishing the rate applicable from November 19, 2006 of the General Import Tax on merchandise originating from Colombia
Agreement which states the applicable rate of General Import Tax for goods originating from Colombia
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Decision 2
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Decision 51
Decision 52
Decision 53
Decision 54
Decision 55
Decision 56
Decision 62
Report on the Trade and Investment Relationship between Mexico and Colombia
Factsheet

Costa Rica

Cuba

Chile

Ecuador

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Trade integration Agreement Mexico-Peru

Uruguay

Mercosur

Economic Complementation Agreement No 54 (ECA 54)

Economic Complementation Agreement No 55 (ECA 55)

Agreement:

Regional Initiatives

Latin American Pacific Alliance

Latin American Pacific Basin

Free Trade Agreement with Central America

Asia Pacific

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Information only available in Spanish

Australia

Korea

China

India

Israel

Japan

Singapore

Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP)

Europe

European Union

Information only available in Spanish

Economic Partnership Agreement

Mexico-European Union Council Decisions

Agreement between Mexico and the EU on Spirit Drinks

Mexico-European Union Joint Executive Plan

Joint Council 9/Feb/12 Joint Communiqué

European Free Trade Association

Free Trade Agreement Mexico-EFTA

Mexico-EFTA Joint Committee Decisions

Agriculture Agreements

Bilateral Cooperation and Agreements

Dissemination Material

Country Factsheet

International Investment Agreements

International Investment Agreements

International Investment Agreement (IIAs) are foreign investment agreements designed to promote and protect foreign investments in our country and Mexican investments abroad, contributing to a favorable business climate. These agreements include the possibility of recourse to dispute resolution mechanisms between States or between an investor and the State.

APPRIs

Agreements with Investment Chapters

NAFTA

US / United States of America

CA / Canada

FTA Chile - Mexico

CL / Chile

FTA Mexico - Costa Rica

XIII

CR / Costa Rica

FTA Mexico – Colombia

XVII

CO / Colombia

FTA Mexico – Nicaragua

XVI

NI / Nicaragua

FTA Mexico – El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

XIV

SV / El Salvador

GT / Guatemala

HN / Honduras

FTA Mexico –Uruguay

XIII

UY / Uruguay

Agreement to Stratenthening the Economic Association between the United Mexican Estates and Japan

JP / Japón

Dispute Settlement

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This section provides information on:

1.- Procedures for State-State dispute settlements in which Mexico has participated within the framework of the World Trade Organization, for free trade agreements and other international trade agreements.

2.- Procedure for Investor-State dispute settlements in which Mexico has participated under free trade agreements and Reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.

3.- Work related to the promotion and facilitation of recourse to arbitration and other alternative methods for the settlement of private international trade disputes.

Tariff and Statistical Information

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In this section you will find information of the indicators which summarize Mexico's foreign trade operations by main countries, agreements and treaties, and by tariff codes.

Trade Balance

Imports and exports by country from 1993 to 2015

By main partner countries

Accumulated Jan-Nov from 1993 to 2015 Import / Export

Annual from 1993 a December 2014 Import / Export

Imports and exports by country-sector from 2009 to 2015

By Free Trade Agreements and Treaties and sectors

Year prior to entry into effect of the FTAS vs 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015

Total 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Oil Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Non-Oil Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Agrifood Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Agriculture Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Agroindustrial Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Fishing Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Industrial Sector 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

Statistical and Tariff Information Inquiry System

This system provides the figures by country for ANNUAL, MONTHLY AND MAIN PRODUCTS imported and exported.

Tariff Information System via Internet (SIAVI 4)

Click here to go to SIAVI.

Integrated Foreign Trade Information System (SIICEX)

Standards and TARIFF information applied to imports by Mexico.

SE Agencies Abroad

The Secretariat of Economy has seven agencies abroad which contribute to establish Mexico as an export power and an investment destination at a global level.

To that end, it drives Mexico's economic integration into the strategic economic blocks around the world, in order to raise the country's competitiveness.

These agencies offer services and programs for business people and entrepreneurs around the globe and contribute to the diffusion and use of the network of 12 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 44 countries, 28 Reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (RIPPAs) and 9 Trade Agreements (Economic Complementation Agreements and Partial Scope Agreements) within the framework of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).

Tariff Information System via Internet

The Tariff Information System via Internet (SIAVI) version 4 presents new features and advantages, and substitutes SIAVI 2 and 3. SIAVI 4 displays in a single system, sets of foreign trade statistics from 2003 to 2011, providing statistical data grouped into 2, 4, 6 and 8-digit HS.

With this new version of the SIAVI, the user is able to link directly to the Integrated Foreign Trade Information System (SIICEX), as well as to ProMéxico's Exportanet; ProMéxico's Exporters Directory (DIEX) and to the Secretariat of Economy's Mexican Business Information System (SIEM).

Similarly, SIAVI 4 provides links to Internet pages where our main trade partners publish their tariff and/or statistical information.

Click here to go to the SIAVI (Information available only in Spanish)

Integral Foreign Trade Information System (Siicex)

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The Siicex web site is intended to offer organizations, businesses, importers, exporters, government, students and citizens, information related to foreign trade from a single enquiry point, enabling them to reduce transaction costs by facilitating information searches and providing certainty about their obligations in acts of Foreign Trade.

Its purpose is to present the regulations which establish the general provisions within the scope of competence of the Secretariat, and the criteria for compliance with laws, international trade agreements or treaties, decrees, regulations and other regulatory systems, grouping them, so users can apply them easily.

The system comprises five sections: Siiceteca (Virtual Library); Tariff; Foreign Trade Bulletin, Today; Did you know…? and This Month, which together seek to give users easy access to information related to foreign trade.

Foreign Trade in Figures

The Tariff Information System via Internet contains up to date trade statistics, with monthly trade data from 2007.

Siiceteca

It is a virtual library containing information on legal instruments pertaining to foreign trade in different versions (original text, amendments and integrated text), and related publications, and the procedures and forms which apply for each system.

The virtual library is made up of six modules: Laws and Regulations; Trade Treaties and Agreements; Decrees; Quotas; Permits and Miscellaneous Regulations, and Foreign Trade Rules.

Siiceteca Modules

1. Laws and Regulations. This module gives access to the different laws and regulations governing foreign trade such as the Foreign Trade Law; the Customs Law; the General Import and Export Tax Law, etc.

2. Trade Treaties and Agreements. This module shows the various decrees on free trade treaties signed by Mexico, which are: North America (USA/Canada), Costa Rica, G2 (Colombia), Nicaragua, Chile, European Union, Israel, Northern Triangle (El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras), European Association (Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Switzerland), Uruguay and Japan; and also the Decrees on Economic Complementation Agreements signed by Mexico such as the ECA 6 (Argentina), ECA 8 (Peru), ECA 51 (Cuba), ECA 53 (Brazil), ECA 54 and 55 (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). The module also shows the tariffs (decrees concerning applicable rates), customs rulings and mentions the partial scope agreements, which are: Ecuador, Paraguay and Panama.

3. Decrees. The module is made up of the various decrees regarding development programs such as IMMEX, PROSEC, ECEX, ALTEX and Drawback published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, as well as TIGIE Tariffs, FTA and Border Tariff Rates, Competitiveness of the Automotive Industry, Vehicle Importation and Border Vehicles (businesses and residents).

4. Quotas: This module includes the quota agreements derived from trade treaties and agreements (FTAs, ECAs, ALADI, WTO) and unilateral agreements.

The module is divided into three parts: America: (North America (US/Canada), Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Northern Triangle (El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras), Uruguay, ALADI, ECA 53 (Brazil), ECA 55 (Mercosur), ECA 6 (Argentina) and remaining quotas; Europe and Asia: European Union, European Association (Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Switzerland), Israel and Japan, and Others: (WTO, Unilateral and Federal Income Law (Tenth Transitory Provisions)).

5. Permits and Miscellaneous Regulations: This module includes the SE's agreements on non-tariff regulations such as: TIGIE 2002-2007 Miscellaneous Provisions and Correlation Tables, Permits, Official Mexican Standards (NOMs), Countervailing Duties, IMMEX (PITEX/Maquila), Automotive, National Content and Regulatory Quality as well as those of other agencies: Commission for the Control of the Production and Use of Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Toxic Substances (Cicoplafest), and the Secretariats of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), National Defense (SEDENA), Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Energy (SENER), Education (SEP), and Health (SSA).

6. Foreign Trade Rules. This module includes the amendments and annexes of the General Rules and Criteria on Foreign Trade, issued by the Secretariat of Economy, and also includes the General Rules on Foreign Trade of the SAT, issued by the Tax Administration Service (SAT).

Tariff

This section is the result of a joint effort by the Secretariat of Economy and the Mexican Confederation of Associations of Customs Brokers (CAAAREM), to streamline the activities of the different stakeholders in foreign trade.

The section provides information on the current tariff rates of the General Import and Export Tax, including FTA and Prosec tariffs, of non-tariff regulations and general observations.

Foreign Trade Bulletin, Today

This electronic bulletin represents the efforts of the Secretariat of Economy to diffuse, periodically, topics of interest and relevant news on foreign trade, such as Official Provisions (amendments and publications of decrees, agreements, rulings, etc.).

Did you know...?

Presents current issues, statistics, brief and relevant news, tips on foreign trade and frequently asked questions on topics such as Trade Facilitation, Program Transparency and Foreign Trade Instruments.

This Month

Contains a set of official provisions on foreign trade which are published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) by the agencies and entities of the Federal Public Administration during a calendar month, such as: agreements, rulings, manuals, annexes, decrees, clarifications, decisions, rules and notices.

Responsible for the Information

The Director General for Foreign Trade is responsible for the information published on SIICEX.

Legal Basis

Rule 4.1 of Title 4 of the Agreement through which the Secretariat of Economy issues the General Rules and Criteria on Foreign Trade, dated July 6th, 2007.

Visit the SIICEX microsite at www.siicex.gob.mx (Information available only in Spanish)

Investment Dispute Prevention Project

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has consolidated itself as an important complementary source to boost Mexico’s economic growth. Mexico is the second FDI destiny in Latin America and receives an average of 18 billion dollars per year. Hence, it is important for our economy to give certainty to the investors. In light of this objective, Mexico is undertaking actions to strengthen the investment climate and prevent investment disputes.

To achieve this objective, the Federal Government is running a project named Investment promotion and international dispute prevention. The project is implementing coordinated public policies among our different government levels aiming to identify and solve potential conflicts before they could turn into an international dispute.

This project is being implemented in two phases. First, the project is based on disseminating the knowledge at the different levels of government (including the municipalities) on international rules and Mexico’s Free Trade Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties, particularly on the investment disciplines. This knowledge is been shared through workshops where experts in investment matters explain different dispute settlement cases faced by the Mexican State and the underlying reasons. They also provide some alternative solutions and policy recommendations. This phase requires support from investment promotion agencies (ProMéxico) and a close coordination with the Secretariat of Interior. Its implementation is well advanced. More workshops will be held this year to cover more Mexican States. Workshops have gone beyond in scope and have also covered representatives of the Congress and judicial power. The representation offices of the Secretariat of Economy in the States are attending the workshops. To continue informing, a periodical electronic bulletin is sent monthly in order to keep the channels of communication open with the participants to the workshops. This phase is critical to create capacity among the public servants at all levels of government to detect a conflict before it turns out into a formal dispute. After the relevant actors in the different levels of government are aware of the rules and the possible consequences they can help to provide information through coordination with the Federal Government particularly with the Secretariat of Economy in identifying possible disputes. This coordination helps to address the problem before it becomes a notice of intention of an international dispute and as a prevention mechanism.

In parallel, the Secretariat of Economy is preparing more detailed information in paper and media (video). This information will be circulated among the interested States.

During the second phase, the Federal Government proposes an Agreement of Cooperation in Information Exchange to be signed between the Secretariat of the Economy and the States. The Agreement will exchange information, for example, on the current legal framework that municipalities are implementing and their consistency with international commitments. The Secretariat of Economy is in charge of the negotiation of international investment agreements and dispute settlement procedures. The Cooperation Agreements with the States will contribute to create a formal cooperation mechanism with the States to strengthen the conflict resolution before it turns out into a formal dispute.

Mexico is in process of implementing the second phase. The Secretariat of Economy is in close coordination with some States in order to follow up the signature process. These Agreements will help the Federal Government to receive cooperation in terms of information exchange and transparency. The legal instrument is not aiming at creating a binding legal consequence for those local governments that are not able to provide the information but to act as a “bona fide” instrument to support cooperation and information exchange. The expectation is to contribute to the creation of a positive environment for investments from the local to the Federal Governments. The mechanism for resolving issues previous to the presentation of the “notice” is based also on a serial of meetings with high level authorities when the State or the Municipalities are involved in the problem and identify possible solutions or constructive discussions.

The overall project is being coordinated by the Secretariat of Economy and it is supported by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS). The results are publicly available in the website of the Secretariat of Economy and ProMéxico. The website informs the state of play of the Agreements signed by the States. This site helps the States to publicize its status as a “safe destination” for investments. This second phase is still in an early stage of implementation.

Foreign Direct Investment

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The aim of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is to create lasting and long-term interests of foreign entrepreneurs in the recipient country, for economic purposes. The importance of FDI resides in the fact that it functions as an important catalyst for development. In this sense, FDI produces important beneficial effects in the productivity and competitiveness of a country by creating jobs, increasing savings and foreign currency reserves, fostering competition and boosting transfer of new technologies and exports.

The Directorate General for Foreign Investment (DGIE, in Spanish) is the administrative unit of the Secretariat of Economy responsible for the application of the Foreign Investment Law and, particularly, for managing and operating the National Registry for Foreign Investment (RNIE, in Spanish), preparing and publishing statistics on FDI inflows, and serving as the Technical Secretariat of the National Commission for Foreign Investment (CNIE, in Spanish). The DGIE also represents Mexico in international foreign investment fora, contributes to the promotion of investment, disseminates information and studies on the investment climate in the country, and promotes the adoption of public policies, when convenient.

Information regarding the activities of promotion and attraction of investment is available at ProMéxico, a governmental agency engaged in the coordination of strategies oriented towards the strengthening of Mexico’s participation in the global economy.

National Registry of Foreign Investments (RNIE, in Spanish)

To this end, the Foreign Investment Law provides who the subjects to be registered are. Likewise, the Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law indicate the procedure to perform such registry.

The information collected by the RNIE is used to develop reliable and timely statistics on the behavior of FDI in Mexico, according to international standards.

To know more about RNIE and the corresponding procedures, please click the link below:

About the RNIE

Official Statistics on FDI Flows into Mexico

The General Direction of Foreign Investment, (DGIE, by its initials in Spanish) makes a series of statistical and economic documents on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) available to the public.

Also if any interested party requests more information, the DGIE can generates some reports broken down by Founding Sources, Industry, Source Country and Federal Entity of destination.

The information generated offers tools for public policy decision-making, investment promotion, research and a better overall understanding of the behavior of FDI into Mexico and the world.

Statistical Reports Submitted to the Congress

Consult the statistical reports on the behavior of FDI into Mexico, submitted quarterly by the National Commission of Foreign Investment (CNIE, by its initials in Spanish) to the Congress.

Information only available in Spanish

Reports

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Historical information

Consult the historical data on FDI into Mexico from 1980 to 1998.

Historical by Source Country

Historical by Industry

Historical by Federal Entity of Destination

Timely Information

Consult the detailed data on FDI into Mexico since 1999.

Number of firms with FDI flows into Mexico

Total flows of FDI into Mexico

FDI by source country

FDI by Federal Entity of Destination

Other Relevant Information

Methodology for the preparation of figures on FDI flows

Official Statistics on Balance of Payments in Mexico

Timely statistics on FDI in OECD member countries

Coordinated Direct Investment Service (CDIS) prepared by the IMF

International statistics on FDI generated by the UNCTAD

For more information related to statistical and economic documents on FDI, please contact us.

Contact information:

Karla Ivette López Rivero
karla.lopez@economia.gob.mx

Joram Pablo Arcos Olvera
joram.arcos@economia.gob.mx

Legal Affairs

The General Direction of Foreign Investment (DGIE), through the Direction of Legal Affairs and the National Commission of Foreign Investments, solves consultations; issues administrative resolutions; and authorizes the use of neutral investment mechanism, the registration of foreign enterprises in the Public Registry of Commerce as well as the establishment of foreign legal entities of civil nature.

It also monitors and verifies the compliance with the applicable legal provisions and regulations with regards to direct foreign investment and, when applicable, imposes the corresponding penalties.

Processes before the Direction of Legal Affairs (Spanish)

FAQ (Spanish)

Preguntas frecuentes

Legal Framework (Spanish)

National (Spanish)

o Political Constitution of the United Mexican States

o Foreign Investment Law (English)

o Regulation of the Foreign Investment Law

o Reforms to the Regulation of the Foreign Investment Law (October 31th, 2014)

o General Resolutions of the National Commission of Foreign Investments (CNIE)

o Federal Law of Administrative Procedure

o Federal Law of Transparency and Access to Government Public Information

o Agreement for the Delegation of Powers of the Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Economy)

o Internal Regulation of the Ministry of Economy+ Legal Framework

International
Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC)

o Political APEC Guide to Investment Regimes

o APEC Investment Facilitation Action Plan 2008-2010

o APEC Non-Binding Investment Principles

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

o Codes of Liberalisation of Capital Movements

o National Treatment instrument

o Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

o Arbitration Rules

International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

o Convention, regulations and rules

o Official documents

Others

o Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

o New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

Legal Glossary (Spanish)

Glosario Jurídico

National Commission of Foreign Investments (CNIE, in Spanish)

CNIE is the cross-ministry area composed by the heads of the Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SEGOB, in Spanish), Foreign Affairs (SRE, in Spanish), Finance (SHCP, in Spanish), Social Development (SEDESOL, in Spanish), Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Energy (SENER), Communications and Transports (SCT, in Spanish), Labor and Social Welfare (STPS, in Spanish), and Tourism (SECTUR, in Spanish). Currently, PROMEXICO and the President’s Office are permanent guests of the Commission.

The Commission’s structure is as follows:

Functions of CNIE

· Provide policy guidelines with regards to foreign investment and design mechanisms to promote investment in Mexico.

· Decide, through the Secretariat of Economy, on the merits, and when applicable, the terms and conditions of foreign investment participation.

· Act as a mandatory consultation agency regarding foreign investment.

· Establish criteria for the application of legal provisions for government agencies and organizations of the Federal Public Administration.

Functions of the Executive Secretary

· Represent the Commission

· Notify the resolutions of the Commission, through the Secretariat of Economy

· Carry out the studies given by the Commission

· Present a four-monthly statistical report to the Congress, on the behavior of foreign investment in the country, including economic sectors and regions where the former is located

Requests before the CNIE

· The CNIE shall solve the requests presented to its consideration in a period no longer than 45 working days starting on the date when the request was presented.

· If the CNIE does not solve in the period provided, the request shall be considered as approved according to the terms with which it was presented.

· Upon express request, the Secretariat shall issue the corresponding authorization.

Resolution criteria of the CNIE

· Impact upon employment and training of workers;

· Technological contribution;

· Compliance with environmental provisions included in the ecological regulations governing the matter; and

· In general, its contribution to increase the competitiveness of the country’s productive system.

· When deciding on the merits of a petition, CNIE may only impose requirements that do not distort international trade

· Additionally, the CNIE may prevent foreign investors acquisitions, due to national security reasons.

· Legal basis: Articles 29 and 30 of Foreign Investment Law (LIE, in Spanish)

Resolutions

· Matters submitted to CNIE’s consideration will be solved in session with its members, or through the written opinion of each one of the heads or the Representatives Committee.

· Heads of each Secretariat or its Representatives will have five working days, starting on the date when the matters were presented to them, to issue a corresponding vote. Once this term is over without formulation of objections or issuance and communication of the corresponding vote, it will be understood that a favorable vote was issued.

· The Technical Secretary (Director General of Foreign Investment) shall deliver to each of the heads of Secretariats or Representatives, a written report on the resolutions submitted to its consideration, within the seven working days following the date when the corresponding resolutions are issued.

· Legal basis: Articles 28 and 29 of LIE , and 27 of the National Registry of Foreign Investments Law Regulation (RLIERNIE, in Spanish)

General Resolutions of the CNIE

In force (Spanish)

o Resolución General por la que se amplía el criterio establecido para la aplicación del artículo 17 de la LIE

o Resolución General por la que se establece el criterio para la aplicación del artículo 17 de la LIE

o Resolución General No. 15

o Resolución General No. 6

Abrogated- related to the application of article 9 of LIE (Spanish)

o Resolución General No. 1

o Resolución General No. 2

o Resolución General No. 3

o Resolución General No. 4

o Resolución General No. 5

o Resolución General No. 7

o Resolución General No. 8

o Resolución General No. 9

o Resolución General No. 10

o Resolución General No. 11

o Resolución General No. 12

o Resolución General No. 13

o Resolución General No. 14

Other (Spanish)

o Resolución General publicada el 22-IX-1993

o Resolución General publicada el 01-IV-1992

o Resolución General publicada el 14-IX-1990

o Resolución General publicada el 09-VIII-1990

o Resolución General publicada el 26-X-1989

o Resolución General publicada el 21-VI-1989

o Resolución General publicada el 03-II-1988

o Resolución General publicada el 30-VIII-1984

o Resolución General publicada el 19-XI-1981

Inquiries from the Federal Public Administration (Spanish)

o Transporte de pasajeros y turismo

International Affairs

The Directorate General for Foreign Investment (DGIE, in Spanish) plays a key role at the international level given the current relevance of issues related to investment around the world.

Among its activities, the DGIE represents Mexico in international foreign investment fora in order to encourage international cooperation, foster the understanding of best practices with regards to investment policies, identify opportunities for the negotiation of international instruments and promote the country among foreign investors.

Additionally, the DGIE undertakes research and analysis in order to prepare public policy proposals which might strengthen the enabling environment for foreign investment in Mexico and, thus, increase the participation of foreign investment in the development of a more competitive economy.

The DGIE participates in the following international fora among others:

The Joint Committee on Investments and Services of the Pacific Alliance which aims to boost cooperation between its members (Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) in key aspects such as the improvement of the investment climate in the region.
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The Investments Experts’ Group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum which aims at facilitating the liberalization of the investment flows within the region and encourages its members to share experiences and best practices on investment.
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The Division on Investment and Enterprises of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which is considered the global center on issues related to investment and enterprise for sustainable development. It organizes an annual World Investment Forumwhere key actors gather to discuss about worldwide investment trends and perspectives.
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The Investment Committee, the Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct, theAdvisory Group on Investment and Development, as well as the Freedom of Investment Roundtables of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In this regard, it is important to stress that the DGIE acts as Mexico’s National Contact Point for the purposes of the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
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The World Trade Organization, which periodically undertakes Trade Policy Reviews. The DGIE’s participation is particularly aimed at issuing remarks and updates on investment policies.

National Contact Point

The Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the Guidelines) are an instrument of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct. The Guidelines are part of the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, adopted on June 21st, 1976. Mexico is an adherent country of such declaration since its incorporation to the Organization in 1994.

The Guidelines aim to ensure that the operations of multinational enterprises are in harmony with government policies in order to strengthen the basis of mutual confidence between enterprises and the societies in which they operate, to help improve the foreign investment climate and to enhance their contribution of enterprises to sustainable development.

The Guidelines are periodically reviewed to guarantee that their content is up to date and that it reflects the global changes. The current version of the Guidelines dates back to 2011. The substantive provisions of the Guidelines are contained in the following chapters:

I. Concepts and Principles

The first chapter of the Guidelines sets out concepts and principles that put into context all of the recommendations in the subsequent chapters. These concepts and principles are the backbone of the Guidelines and underline the fundamental ideas behind them.

II. General Policies

This chapter is the first to contain specific recommendations to enterprises in the form of general policies that set the tone and establish a framework of common principles for the subsequent chapters. It includes important provisions such as implementing due diligence, addressing adverse impacts, engaging stakeholders, among others.

III. Disclosure

Clear and complete information on the enterprise is important to a variety of users. This chapter calls on enterprises to be transparent in their operations and responsive to increasingly sophisticated public demands for information.

IV. Human Rights

Enterprises can have an impact on virtually the entire spectrum of internationally recognized human rights. As such, it is important that they meet their responsibilities. This chapter of the Guidelines draws on and is aligned with the United Nations “Protect, Respect, Remedy” Framework and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights that operationalize that framework.

V. Employment and Industrial Relations

This chapter focuses on the role the Guidelines have in promoting observance among Multinational Enterprises of the international labor standards developed by the International Labor Organization.

VI. Environment

The environment chapter provides a set of recommendations for Multinational Enterprises to raise their environmental performance and help maximize their contribution to environmental protection through improved internal management and better planning.

VII. Combating Bribery, Bribe Solicitation and Extortion

Bribery and corruption are damaging to democratic institutions and the governance of corporations. Enterprises have an important role to play in combating these practices. The OECD is leading global efforts to level the playing field for international businesses by fighting to eliminate bribery. The recommendations in the Guidelines are based on the extensive work the OECD has already done in the field.

VIII. Consumer Interests

The Guidelines call on enterprises to apply fair business, marketing, and advertising practices and to ensure the quality and reliability of the products that they provide. This chapter draws on the work of the OECD Committee on Consumer Policy and the Committee on Financial Markets, and other international organizations, including the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organization for Standardization and the United Nations.

IX. Science and Technology

This chapter recognizes that Multinational Enterprises are the main conduit of technology transfer across borders. It aims to promote technology transfer to host countries and contribution to their innovative capacities.

X. Competition

This chapter focuses on the importance of Multinational Enterprises carrying out their activities in a manner consistent with all applicable competition laws and regulations, taking into account the competition laws of all jurisdictions in which their activities may have anti-competitive effects. Enterprises need to refrain from anti-competitive agreements, which undermine the efficient operation of both domestic and international markets.

XI. Taxation

The Guidelines are the first international corporate responsibility instrument to cover taxation, contributing to and drawing upon a significant body of work on taxation, most notably the OECD Model Tax convention and the UN Model Double Taxation Convention between Developed and Developing Countries. This important chapter covers fundamental taxation recommendations.

As of June 2014, 46 adherent governments are committed to the Guidelines: the 34 member governments of the OECD and 12 adherent countries to the Declaration and Decisions on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises.

Informative Material on the Guidelines

o Text of the Guidelines

o Responsible Business Conduct Matters

Other documents on Social Responsibility

o OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones

o OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas

o OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises

Links of Interest

o OECD Investment Committee

o OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

o OECD Watch

o Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD