Last year Partnering in Business with Germany brought six Mexican business delegations to Germany. This year, four groups are to travel to Germany, one of them focusing on digitalisation and the other on the automotive supply industry. Mexico has been an important partner country for the promotion of foreign trade and investment in Latin America since 2013. Ulrich Niemann, head of the division responsible for the programme at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, confirmed this by saying: “Mexico is Germany’s largest trading partner in Latin America. The programme helps to harness addition potential, in particular for SMEs.”
Partnership with Mexico extended until 2027
Cooperation with Mexico within the Partnering in Business with Germany programme is to be continued. Ambassador Clemens von Goetze and Director-General of the Office of the Minister (Secretaría de Economía), Ximena Escobedo, sealed the agreement by signing the new Joint Declaration at the Mexican Ministry of Economy on 6 August.
Ximena Escobedo, Mexican Ministry of Economy, and Ambassador Dr. Clemens von Goetze after the signing © German Embassy Mexico
The Mexican partner ministry repeatedly stresses the importance of cooperation partnerships created through the programme, which are vital for the modernisation and diversification of the Mexican economy. This is why Germany’s Mexican counterparts show high commitment. According to the ministry, German industry can produce more cost-effectively in Mexico for the North American market than in the US itself – there is therefore high demand for strong Mexican suppliers.
Johannes Hauser, Managing Director of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK) in Mexico, confirmed that Mexico remains attractive for German SMEs, saying that Mexico’s locational advantages had not disappeared as a result of the new US trade policy. Although these advantages may have diminished in some cases, he noted, this applies to every centre of industry outside the US.
By extending the cooperation of Partnering in Business with Germany until the end of 2027, the countries laid a foundation for expanding relations and deepening economic cooperation between Mexican and German businesses.
Teaser picture: © German Embassy Mexico