mexico aNd THE EUROPEAN UNION A Strategic Alliance

XiI - 2010 I - 2011

2 Negocios

Contents

20
special
feature

Photo Archive
Mexico Gives Flavor
to the World

Briefs 6
Special Feature mexico facing climate change 14
2011: year of mexico in france 16
Mexicos Partner tierramex 18
rosewood hotels 28
volare Engineering 34
GEIQ 36
HYDRO ALUMINUM 38
Report mining industry 40
Business Tips MEXICO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION: A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE 42
Figures 46

31
Industrial Strength
Although Mexican multinational companies first
gained momentum in exports during the first half
of the 20th century, they have only truly taken off
Photo Archive

within the last 25 years. Today they are leaders in

various sectors throughout Latin America.
 Baker & McKenzie
Passionately Global
We are a law firm with deep market knowledge and global perspective.
Legal Services:
Banking & Finance Corporate (M&A) Environment & Climate Change Foreign Trade & Customs Intellectual Property IT & Communications
Tax Labor Litigation Real Estate & Infrastructure
Industries:
Automotive Energy, Mining & Infrastructure Financial Services Maquiladora Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Resorts, Tourism & Entertainment Risk Management & Compliance
www.bakermckenzie.com
All rights reserved. Baker & McKenzie International is a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations,
reference to a partner means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an office means an office of any such law firm.

REV_Advert_CSB2540_ARLopez_Mexico.indd 1 10/6/2010 11:03:17 PM

Success is just
a click away
>> Log in to Mexico

www.promexico.gob.mx
negocios@promexico.gob.mx
+ 52 (55) 5447 70 70
4 Negocios

ProMxico
Carlos Guzmn Bofill
ceo

Sebastin Escalante
Managing Coordinator
sebastian.escalante@promexico.gob.mx

Miguel ngel Samayoa

Advertising and Suscriptions
negocios@promexico.gob.mx

Fernanda Luna
Copy Editing

taller mxico

Photo javier b. camacho martnez

Alejandro Serratos
Publisher

50 a.serratos@tallermexico.com

Felipe Ziga
Mexique: Ce pays Editor in Chief
felipe@tallermexico.com
que vous pensiez Orlando Santamaria
connatre... Marketing Manager
orlando@tallermexico.com

Pilar Jimnez Molgado

Design Director
pilar@tallermexico.com

2011 Le Mexique vit en France Dalia Urzua Orozco

Design
dalia@tallermexico.com

Paloma Lpez
Production
paloma@tallermexico.com

Vanessa Serratos
Production Assistant
vanessa@tallermexico.com

Vanesa Robles
Senior Writer
vanesarobles@gmail.com

50 Karla Jurez
Photo archive

Sandra Roblagui

54 Lucila Valtierra
Mauricio Zabalgoitia
Staff Writers
LAnne du Mexique en France
Translation
Alejandra Daz Alvarado
56 LE MEXIQUE ET LUNION 60 Le Mexique donne Juan Manuel Romero
EUROPENNE: du got au monde! Luis Cabrera
Une Association
Stratgique 65 Le nopal : PROOF READING
Le cur vert du Mexique Graeme Stewart
58 Trois nouveaux
lments mexicains 68 Mexique du nord au sud contributors
inscrits au patrimoine Cristina vila-Zesatti, Mara Eugenia
immatriel de lhumanit Sevilla, Ulises Hernndez, Jennifer Chan,
Mara Cristina Rosas, Oldemar.

Negocios ProMxico, aos 3-4, nmero 12-1, diciembre 2010 - enero 2011, es una publicacin mensual en ingls editada por ProMxico,
Camino a Santa Teresa No. 1679, Col. Jardines del Pedregal, Delegacin lvaro Obregn, C.P. 01900, Mxico, D.F. Tel. 54477000 www.
promexico.gob.mx; negocios@promexico.gob.mx Editor responsable: Gabriel Sebastin Escalante Bauelos. Reservas de derechos al
uso exclusivo No. 04-2009-012714564800-102. Licitud de ttulo: 14459; Licitud de contenido: 12032, ambos otorgados por la Comisin
Calificadora de Publicaciones y Revistas Ilustradas de la Secretara de Gobernacin. ISSN: en trmite. Impresa por Moio Impresores,
Gumersindo Esquer 90, colonia Ampliacin Asturias, 06890, Mxico, DF. Esta publicacin se termin de imprimir el 15 de diciembre,
2010 con un tiraje de 13,000 ejemplares. Las opiniones expresadas por los autores no necesariamente reflejan la postura del editor de
la publicacin. Queda estrictamente prohibida la reproduccin total o parcial de los contenidos e imgenes de la publicacin sin previa This is an editorial project for ProMxico
autorizacin de ProMxico. by Taller Mxico (www.tallermexico.com).
ProMxico is not responsible for inaccurate information or omissions that might exist in the information provided by the participant
companies nor of their economic solvency. The institution might or might not agree with an authors statements; therefore the Download the PDF version
responsibility of each text falls on the writers, not on the institution, except when it states otherwise. Although this magazine verifies of Negocios ProMxico at:
all the information printed on its pages, it will not accept responsibility derived from any omissions, inaccuracies or mistakes. December
2010-January 2011.
negocios.promexico.gob.mx
 www.pwc.com/mx

Contact us:
52636000
We create the value
youre looking for

We focus on three things: Assurance, Consulting, Tax and Legal Services. But we dont think
offthe-shelf products and services are always the way to go. How we use our knowledge and
experience depends on what you want to achieve.

So well start by getting to know you. You do the talking, well do the listening. What you tell us
will shape how we use our network of 163,000 people around the world and their connections,
contacts and expertise to help you create the value youre looking for.

2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved. PricewaterhouseCoopers refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers Mexico, the network
of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
6 Negocios Photo Courtesy of EMBRACO

MANUFACTURING

Brazilian Newcomer
in Mexico
Embraco, a global company and world leader in the compressor
market for refrigeration, will build its first factory in Mexico, in
the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Len.
The company, headquartered in Southern Brazil with facto-
ries in Europe, Brazil and Asia, has been present in Mexico with a
sales office since 2004. The new investment is part of Embracos
global growth strategy and is focused on expanding production of
high energy efficient compressors.
Embracos new factory in Mexico will start operations in Au-
gust 2011 with approximately 500 employees and production ca-
pacity for 2.5 million compressors per year. The project foresees
a total investment of 90 million usd by 2013, when the company
will reach full capacity of 5 million units and will increase to near-
ly 1,000 the number of direct jobs.
The new facilitys production will attend the demand of cus-
tomers in Mexico and in the US.

www.embraco.com

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Strategic Expansion
Ericsson, the Swedish manufacturer of telecommunications
Photo Courtesy of ERICSSON

equipment, is expanding its Global Services Center in Mexico,

one of the four centers through which Ericsson provides cus-
tomer support worldwide. Ericssons Center in Mexico will
double its services and technological developments capacity
in 2011 and will triple it by 2015.

www.ericsson.com

TOURISM

Recovery on the Move

The Mexican tourist industry took in 9 billion usd in revenue during
the first nine months of 2010, a figure that exceeds by 7.7% the sectors
earnings in 2009, according to de Mexican Ministry of Tourism.
From January to September 2010, Mexico received 16.7 million in-
ternational tourists, 6.9% more than the number registered during
Photo ARCHIVE

the same period of 2009. The tourists spent an average of 450.80

usd per person while in Mexico, 2.5% more than in 2009.

www.sectur.gob.mx
 offices abroad

North America
Regional Director ProMxico
Headquarters
jorge.lopez@promexico.gob.mx

Offices in: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los

Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York,
Toronto and Vancouver + 52 (55) 544 77070
Chicago
miguel.leaman@promexico.gob.mx
promexico@promexico.gob.mx
Dallas
www.promexico.gob.mx
carlos.marron@promexico.gob.mx

Houston
armando.camarena@promexico.gob.mx
Guatemala Milan
Los Angeles ignacio.elias@promexico.gob.mx claudia.esteves@promexico.gob.mx
mario.juarez@promexico.gob.mx
Santiago de Chile Paris
Miami joel.enriquez@promexico.gob.mx dolores.beistegui@promexico.gob.mx
cesar.bueno@promexico.gob.mx
Sao Paulo Stockholm
Montreal juan.pintoribeiro@promexico.gob.mx nicole.felix@promexico.gob.mx
alfonso.mojica@promexico.gob.mx

New York
gerardo.patino@promexico.gob.mx Europe Asia - Pacific
Toronto and Middle East Offices in: Beijing, Mumbai, Seoul,
Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo
jose.peral@promexico.gob.mx
Offices in: Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt,
Vancouver London, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Beijing
carlos.cacho@promexico.gob.mx Stockholm ari.saks@promexico.gob.mx

Brussels Mumbai
Latin America alejandro.saldivar@promexico.gob.mx aldo.ruiz@promexico.gob.mx

and South America Dubai Seoul

jose.neif@promexico.gob.mx miguel.delvillar@promexico.gob.mx
Offices in: Bogot, Buenos Aires,
Guatemala, Santiago de Chile and Frankfurt Singapore / New Markets
Sao Paulo jimena.ibarra@promexico.gob.mx francisco.bautista@promexico.gob.mx

Bogot London Taipei

carlos.edgar@promexico.gob.mx alexandra.haas@promexico.gob.mx cesar.fragozo@promexico.gob.mx
Buenos Aires Madrid Tokyo
juancarlos.rodriguez@promexico.gob.mx ximena.caraza@promexico.gob.mx esau.garza@promexico.gob.mx
8 Negocios Photo Courtesy of FERROMEX

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Solar Power in the Pipeline

The Mexican units of Spains Iberdrola and Germanys Siemens
plan to invest some 354 million usd to build a wind park in the north-
eastern state of Tamaulipas, which borders the US state of Texas.
The 161 MW Los Vergeles wind farm will be installed in the
town of San Fernando and will be operated by the two companies
for the first 18 years before being turned over to the state govern-
ment of Tamaulipas.
Once construction is completed in approximately one year, the
electricity generated by the wind farms 70 turbines (80-meter-high
each) will be transmitted to a substation possibly in the border city
of Matamoros for distribution throughout the state.
The park will supply electricity to municipal and state buildings
in Tamaulipas, providing cost savings of between 5 and 10% and im-
proving the environment. Authorities say the park will help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and meet the electricity demand
of hospitals, schools and government offices throughout Tamaulipas.

www.iberdrola.es / www.siemens.com

TRANSPORTATION

Logistics Capacity Growth

Ferrocarriles Mexicanos the increase in contingent
(Ferromex) will invest 309 demand of cargo from ports
Photo COURTESY OF SIEMENS

million usd in the purchase of and inland transit. In August

equipment, railways, locomo-
tives and terminals, in order
to increase train departures
throughout its whole network.
The purpose of this capital
injection is improving efficien-
cy, taking into consideration
2010, containers moved went
up 50.1% in intermodal area,
accounting for 85,086 units,
compared to 56,692 moved in
even term in 2009.
www.ferromex.com.mx

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Spanish Investment
in Clean Energy
Photo COURTESY OF FENOSA

Gas Natural Fenosa will build a wind farm

in Oaxaca, which will require an investment
of 53 million usd and will be ready in about
two years.

www.gasnatural.com
 briefs.

Top Ten
Latin America and The Caribbean

De nstru rmits
Ea iness

Co Pe
Bu

Re Prop
alin cti
se
s

Pr vest

Clo sine
Sta usine

En ntra
Tra ros
gis ert
of D Rank

Co

Bu
g w on

ote or
Ge redit

In
B

Pa axes

for cts
rti ss

s in s s
Ac ders
ter y

Bo

din s
yin
C

cti s

T
ttin
ng

ith

cin
oin

ga
in g

g
ng

g
a

g
g
g

Mexico 1 12 6 13 7 12 15 9 8 1
Peru 2 8 21 2 2 3 11 7 18 17

Colombia 3 14 9 6 10 1 19 17 25 5

Chile 4 10 13 3 13 5 3 12 4 15

Puerto Rico 5 1 31 21 3 2 16 21 12 3

St. Lucia 6 5 4 10 18 5 2 20 27 7
Antigua

INFOGRAPHIC OLDEMAR
and Barbuda 7 13 7 20 25 5 21 10 5 10
Panama 8 3 12 16 3 20 30 1 20 13
Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines 9 7 1 24 25 5 5 4 16 28
The Bahamas 10 11 23 28 13 20 4 5 21 6
Source: Doing Business 2011

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
The Best in Latin America
Mexico took top ranking among
Latin American countries in terms
of the ease of doing business, ac-
cording to the World Bank Group.
Through the annual Doing
Business 2011 report, published
by the World Bank Group and the
International Finance Corporation
(IFC), it has been established that
Mexico exceeds 31 other nations
within its geographical area, in
terms of ease of doing business.
Thus, Mexico outperformed
Latin America and the Caribbean
averages in all nine indicators the
report Doing Business 2011 mea-
sures.Regarding business regu-
lations, the analysis from June
2009 to May 2010 highlights that
Mexico advanced six places in the
global ranking, going from posi-
tion 41 to 35, which means broad-
er opportunities for businesses
and investment.
According to the same analy-
sis, worldwide, Singapore remains
number one in terms of ease of
doing business, followed by Hong
Kong and New Zealand.
Standing this year at 35,
Mexico is now closer to the av-
erage OECD (Organisation
for Economic Co-operation
and Development) place,
and it is now the fifth best
economy among developing
countries, after Korea (16),
Thailand (19), Malaysia (21)
and South Africa (34), also
above the average position
for South America (104) and
the Caribbean (95).
www.doingbusiness.org

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Mexican banking concerns approvals, is expected to close intend to maintain two

The Union Grupo Financiero Banorte in the first quarter of 2011. The separate branch networks,
and Ixe Grupo Financiero resulting Grupo Financiero differentiated by market
that Makes have agreed to merge in an Banorte-Ixe is expected to segment to give the group
all-stock deal valued at an be the countrys third-largest a premium bank brand.
Financial estimated 1.3 billion usd. bank with around a 15% mar-
The transaction, which ket share in assets, loan port- www.banorte.com

Strength requires regulatory and other folio and deposits. The banks www.ixe.com.mx
10 Negocios
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Strategic Trade Partners
Texas has become the first US
state to exceed 10 billion usd
in monthly surface trade with
Mexico since the US govern-
ment started monitoring it 15
years ago.
In August 2010, Texas far
outpaced number two Califor-
nia, which had barely more than
4 billion usd in surface trade with
Mexico, according to a report
issued by the US Department
of Transportations Bureau of
Transportation Statistics.
Surface trade includes any-
thing that moves via truck, rail or
pipeline.
The TransBorder Freight
Data report shows US-Mexico
surface transportation trade rose
almost 32% in August 2010 to
FOOD
Fast-Baked
Growth
Grupo Bimbo the worlds larg-
est bread maker will buy Sara
Lee Corp.s US bakery business
for 959 million usd to boost sales
outside Mexico.
The transaction, which
includes the right to the Sara Lee
brand for bakery goods in the
US and regional brands such as
Heiners and Rainbow, will likely
close during the first half of 2011.
Bimbo currently gets most
of its sales in Mexico. Buying the
Sara Lee unit may help make
Photo ARCHIVE
the US the companys largest
market.
www.grupobimbo.com.mx
Photo Brian L. Romig
28.1 billion usd, from 21.3 billion
in August 2009.
US-Mexico surface trade was
up almost 13% in August 2010
compared with July 2010, when
it totaled 24.9 billion usd.
The value of imports car-
ried by truck was 29% higher in
August 2010 than in the same
month in 2009. The value of
exports carried by truck was al-
most 31% higher.
Surface trade among the
three North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) na-
tions the US, Mexico and Cana-
da totaled nearly 68 billion usd
in August 2010, up 25% from 54.3
billion in August 2009.
www.bts.gov
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Clean Take Off
Quertaro International Air-
port will become the first in
Mexico and Latin America to
use a solar energy generation
system interconnected to the
public network, which will
cut down the use power ob-
tained from fossil fuels.
The program, developed by
the Mexican company Uni-
verse of Energy, will have an
annual power generation ca-
pacity of 924,430 kilowatts,
which will translate into sav-
ings of 434.3 tons of carbon
dioxide emissions and around
130,000 usd every year.
www.uoe.com.mx
www.aiq.com.mx
 briefs.
AUTOMOTIVE

Along the Path of Growth

Pirelli of Milan, Italy announced
will construct its first tire pro-
duction plant in Mexico. The
new factory located in the city
of Silao, Guanajuato (about 400
kilometers from Mexico City)
will produce high-performance
and ultra high-performance tires
for cars and light trucks using
Pirellis state-of-the-art manufac-
turing technology.
Pirelli will initially invest ap-
an annual capacity of 3.5 million
units in 2014 increasing to approxi-
mately 5 million units by 2015.
The new project responds to
continued and growing demand
from the NAFTA region and Lat-
in America. The Mexico plant will
be Pirellis 8th tire manufacturing
facility in Latin America five in
Brazil, one in Argentina, one in
Venezuela. This addition will also
join Pirellis Rome, Georgia facto-

Photo COURTESY OF PIRELLI

proximately 210 million usd in the
plant, which will generate 700
direct and 300 indirect jobs. The
facility will cover an area of 120,000
square meters and will be opera-
tional in 2012. Targeted daily pro-
duction capacity is 10,500 tires with
ry as the 2nd manufacturing site
in the NAFTA region. The new
factory, Pirellis 20th worldwide,
will be located at the Puerto Inte-
rior industrial park.
www.pirelli.com

FOOD Nestl will invest around 6 million usd in the expan-

sion of its plant in Toluca, Estado de Mxico. With this

Photo COURTESY OF nestl

project, the company will have capacity to produce
Strong Bet 42,000 tons of its Nescaf Classic brand and will re-
quire 24,000 additional tons of green coffee annually,
on Mexico 70% of which will be acquired from local producers.

www.nestle.com.mx

METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY

Relying on Mexico
Top global steelmaker ArcelorMittal plans to invest 400
million usd in exploring for iron ore in Mexico to feed its lo-
cal operations and end a reliance on imports. Currently, the
company analyzes projects in the Mexican states of Oaxaca,
Michoacn and Sonora to increase iron ore production, the
main raw material in steel production.
At present, the Luxembourg-based companys steel
mills in Mexico are running at around 70% of their capac-
ity as the company relies on its own iron ore. ArcelorMittal
Mexico, the largest steelmaker in Mexico, aims to increase its
Photo ARCHIVE

annual production of liquid steel which in 2010 is expected

to close at 3.8 million tons by 15% in 2011.

www.arcellormital.com
12 Negocios
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Green Energy in the Oven
Grupo Bimbo, the worlds big-
gest producer of baked goods,
and Spains Renovalia Energy
began the construction of
the largest wind farm oper-
ated by a food company in the
world, meeting Grupo Bim-
bos energy needs in Mexico.
The Piedra Larga wind
farm will cost around 200
million usd and is expected to
begin commercial operations
at the end of 2011. When
completed it will generate
almost 100% of the electrical
power consumed by Grupo
Bimbo in Mexico.
With an installed power
of 90 megawatts, the farm will
be able to supply the electric
power consumed by 65 of the
companys facilities (produc-
tion plants and other operation
centers).
Grupo Bimbo has also invit-
ed Grupo Calidra, Frialsa Fri-
gorficos and Papalote Museo
del Nio to participate in the
project.
The wind farm will be lo-
cated in Union Hidalgo, a town
in the southern state of Oaxaca,
and will be built under a stra-
tegic alliance whose partners
Photos courtesy of renovalia energy
include the federal government,
private interests and banks. It
will be operated by a partner-
ship formed by Grupo Bimbo
and Mexican Wind Farm De-
velopments (DEMEX), an af-
filiate of the Spanish company
Renovalia Energy.
Grupo Bimbo has focused
its attention on the implemen-
tation of wind energy to comply
with the groups permanent
commitment to the environ-
ment and to the well-being of
future generations.
The construction of this
wind farm is the cornerstone
in our effort to continue grow-
ing with natures force; mak-
ing us the first company in the
food industry to make this great
change to use renewable energy
sources, said Daniel Servitje,
Grupo Bimbo CEO. It repre-
sents an unprecedented effort
in the use of renewable, clean
and virtually endless energy:
the green energy, he added.
This new wind farm consti-
tutes a landmark in the expan-
sion policy of renewable ener-
gies in Mexico.
www.grupobimbo.com.mx

Photo courtesy of Rijk Zwaan
AGRICULTURE
Rijk Zwaan Opens a New
Production Location in Mexico
The plant breeding company Rijk
Zwaan officially opened its new
production location in Mexico:
Rijk Zwaan Promex. Situated at
an altitude of 2,050 metres, this
location offers perfect conditions
for top-quality seed to be harvest-
ed all year round.
The purpose-built seed-pro-
ducing nursery, which is located
in San Jos Iturbide in the state
of Guanajuato, was necessary to
keep up with Rijk Zwaans con-
tinuous growth.
This is the ideal location for
Photo courtesy of Rijk Zwaan
us to grow seeds, in particular for
tomato and peppers, for several
reasons; the high light intensity
and the temperate climate allows
us to produce all year round, al-
lowing us a high level of flexibility
to respond to changing levels of
market demand, for example,
said production expert and proj-
ect manager Frans van de Sande.
Constructed as a turn-key
project in collaboration with
Dutch greenhouse-building com-
pany Van der Hoeven, the location
comprises a modern glasshouse
briefs.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Ambitious
Plans
Spanish Iberdrola plans to
invest 400 million usd in
Mexico between 2011 and
2012.
Currently, the company
has combined cycle gas in-
stallations with a capacity to
generate more than 5,000
MW in Mexico. The com-
pany also operates wind
parks, through its renewable
energy subsidiary Iberdrola
Renovables, which generate
as much as 80 MW.
www.iberdrola.es
nursery, an extraction area, two
boilers, a reservoir to collect heat
and a storage room for seeds.
The seed is produced under
extremely stringent hygienic
conditions, in order to keep the
risk of seed-borne diseases to a
minimum.
From July 2011, the intention
is that all seed produced at Rijk
Zwaan Promex will be certified
according to GSPP, the latest hy-
giene protocol for tomato.
www.rijkzwaan.com
Photo courtesy of IBERDROLA
14 Negocios
Supporting Mexicos Efforts
Towards Low Carbon Growth
While COP16 is held in Cancn, Mexico receives 713.24 million
usd from the World Bank to fight climate change.
T
he World Bank Board of Directors
approved a package of three ini-
tiatives totaling 713.24 million usd
meant to bolster Mexicos green grams to adapt and mitigate climate change
efforts in energy, transportation and the envi-
ronment all of them areas seen as strategic
because of their close association with the ef-
fects of climate change.
These initiatives comprise a 401 million usd
loan for public policy development aimed at
supporting government efforts to meet the cli-
mate change mitigation and adaptation goals
set forth in its Climate Change Special Program
(PECC, for its acronym in Spanish); a 307.74 mil-
lion usd package for the Efficient Lighting and
Appliances Project composed of a 250 million
usd World Bank loan, a 50 million usd Clean
Technology Fund (CTF) concessional loan and
a 7.12 million usd Global Environmental Facility
(GEF) Grant and a 4.5 million usd GEF grant
for the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Wetlands Cli-
mate Change Impact Adaptation Project.
Addressing climate change challenges
through mitigation mechanisms, as laid out in
these three new projects, will have a positive
effect by improving the countrys competitive-
ness in the energy and environmental arenas,
while creating employment opportunities.
These initiatives focus on a comprehen-
sive service package that includes advisory,
technical assistance, knowledge exchange and
coordination services, jointly supporting the
creation of a framework that will allow Mexico
to advance towards a low-carbon economic
growth and include measures to adapt to cli-
mate change impacts.
Mexico has become one of the most ad-
vanced nations internationally in the imple-
mentation of government policies and pro-
in the energy, transportation, housing and
forestry sectors.
Mexico has proven to the international
community how a country with an emerging
economy can adopt a responsible and proac-
tive attitude toward climate change challenges,
becoming the respected host of an internation-
al climate change agreement. COP 16 in Can-
cn is a clear example of the latter, said Gloria
Grandolini, World Bank Country Director for
Mexico and Colombia.
Towards Green Public Policies
The 401 million usd loan supports the gov-
ernments low carbon development, with the
following expected results: increase renew-
able energy sources by promoting energy
efficiency through cogeneration; improve
the efficiency of the vehicle fleet and road
operations in Mexico; modernize the housing
market to include energy efficiency in con-
struction standards and Incorporate climate
change considerations in land management
and forestry activities.
Policy areas targeted in this operation are
the result of a comprehensive analytical and
consultation effort undertaken by the World
Bank in Mexico during the past three years. It
involves areas with great potential for reduc-
tion of greenhouse gas emissions while offer-
ing economic and financial returns. Some of
the specific results of this operation include:
illustration archive
Increasing the number of energy cogenera-
tion permits granted by the Energy Regula-
tion Commission.
An estimated 30,000 vehicles belonging to
public transportation operators will be cov-
ered by the Clean Transportation program.
Building of 200,000 new housing units
under the National Housing Commissions
(CONAVI, for its acronym in Spanish) sub-
sidy program, which contemplates energy
efficiency systems and building of 100,000
new houses that qualify for international
carbon credits under the Clean Develop-
ment Mechanism.
Increasing forest management permits
from 4,000 to 6,600 between 2010 and
2012 as the result of regulatory reform.
Efficient Energy Consumption
The Efficient Lighting and Appliances Pro-
gram will promote a more efficient use of en-
ergy in households through technologies that
mitigate climate change impacts. First, incan-
descent light bulbs will be replaced with more
efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, especially
in low-income homes.
About 45 million energy-saving light bulbs
will be provided to 11 million low-income
homes. Furthermore, safe disposal mecha-
nisms for dangerous waste, such as mercury
contained in incandescent light bulbs, will be
created and utilized. Incentives will be pro-
vided to promote replacement of old and
inefficient refrigerators and air conditioning
equipment. Vouchers and credit will be grant-
ed to consumers to replace approximately 1.7
 special report mexico facing climate change
million old and inefficient refrigerators and air
conditioning units in the next of four years.
Mexico is both a great energy producer
and exporter as well as one of the biggest
energy consumers in the region. As a result,
this is a strategic sector for the countrys eco-
nomic growth, productivity and competitive-
ness, explained Gustavo Saltiel, World Bank
Sustainable Development Area Manager for
Mexico. Moreover, the efficient consumption
of energy is a key element in strengthening
long term electricity competitiveness and sus-
tainability, he added.
This innovative operation combines World
Bank, CTF and GEF funds for the first time. The
project is expected to end on June 30th, 2014.
Reducing Coastal Vulnerability
The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Wetlands Climate
Change Impact Adaptation Project will be exe-
cuted by the World Bank and seeks to promote
its adaptation to the effects of climate change.
The program will be carried out through
pilot mechanisms to generate information on
the costs and benefits of undertaking concrete
actions to reduce coastal vulnerability.
One of the programs challenges is to co-
ordinate across different government levels.
To that end, mechanisms need to be drawn
up to report on the adaptation process for
environmental protection, as well as key
economic activities such a water generation,
fishing and agriculture.
Mexico has proven to the
international community how a
country with an emerging economy
can adopt a responsible and
proactive attitude toward climate
change challenges, becoming the
respected host of an international
climate change agreement.
Gloria Grandolini
World Bank Country Director
for Mexico and Colombia
Some of the expected results include:
Design studies to guide adaptation mecha-
nisms that facilitate prompt implementa-
tion and include a monitoring strategy and
supply system.
Three wetland management plans, one of
them to be implemented in protected areas.
Persuade municipalities to declare 15,000
hectares as conservation areas; reforest 5,000
hectares with native species to reduce the
impact of climate change on coastal wetlands
and build 3,000 meters of coastal embank-
ments to reduce the threat of sea level rises.
Elaborate and publish practical guidelines
on the costs and benefits relating to the ad-
aptation mechanisms for coastal wetlands,
as an example worthy of imitation.
The program will be implemented across
a five-year period and will have a total cost of
23.5 million usd, 4.5 million of which will be
financed by the GEF grant, 1.9 million will
come from the Government of Japan and 17.1
million from the Mexican government coun-
terpart. The project is expected to end on Oc-
tober 31st, 2015.
The strategic partnership between Mexico
and the World Bank on climate change issues
started in the mid-90s and envisages a compre-
hensive program of financial, knowledge and
coordination services. The package includes 35
initiatives between loans, grants, greenhouse
gas emission-reduction certificates and other
financial instruments. n
16 Negocios
Mexican Art Breaks the Silence in Paris
After great success in several European cities, Nuestros Silencios by Mexican artist Rivelino
will arrive in Paris, as part of the cultural program of Mexicos year in France.
N
uestros Silencios (Our Silences)
is a monumental sculpture con-
cept and itinerate exhibition by
Mexican artist Rivelino. In 2010,
the exhibition was held in several Euro-
pean cities as part of the celebrations of the
Mexican Independence Bicentenary and the
Mexican Revolution Centenary. Now, its the
turn of Paris.
2011 will be the year of Mexico in France.
Mexican colors, flavors and textures will be
present in different French cities as part of
the program planned to share a sample of
the historical and cultural richness of Mex-
ico with the European country. Nuestros
Silencios will be one of the first activities on
the agenda.
Mexican artist Rivelino conceived this
exhibition as an urban project from the very
beginning, with the purpose of being exhib-
ited in public spaces. It comprises 10 giant
sculptures cast in bronze with the lost wax
technique plus another sculpture named the
Tactile Box, specially designed for the blind.
The eleventh piece is made of thick steel
plates bearing the calligraphy that is a trade-
mark of his work. On each side are two ori-
fices that invite to discover the interior: four
small-scale replicas of the giant sculptures.
Introducing the hands allows a calm percep-
tion of the material.
Rivelinos sculptural force will arrive in
Paris in a very innovative way, breaking the
parameters of public art exhibitions, not
only because of its monumentality but also
because the giant sculptures will enter the
city by boat on the River Seine.
In the first stage, the boat with the sculp-
tures displayed will travel across the Eng-
lish Channel from Britain to the port of Le
Photos courtesy of rivelino
Havre, France. The second stage of the route
will start at the junction of the sea and the
River Seine and will sail along this tributary
for three days, until finally reaching Paris,
where the boat will be lashed to the Champs
Elysees dock, next to the Grand Palais, at the
foot of the famous Alexander III bridge.
Starting in the second half of Januay 2011,
the exhibition will remain there for two
months and it will be possible to appreciate it
from the surrounding areas and from boats
traveling on the river. But viewers will be
able to enjoy it from a very short distance as
well, since the boat will be open to the public.
In this way, in a totally innovative public
space, Nuestros Silencios will convey its so-
cial message: the necessity of freedom of ex-
pression, of that what is difficult to say, cant
be said or does not want to be said. As Riveli-
no states: Although, speaking out is not
 special feature 2011: year of mexico in france

Rivelinos sculptural
force will arrive in
Paris in a very innovative
way, breaking the
parameters of public
art exhibitions: the 11
giant sculptures that
make up his exhibition
will enter the city by
boat on the
River Seine.

enough. It never suffices if the other is not

willing to listen, understand and respond.
Nuestros Silencios is the largest monu-
mental sculpture exhibition sent by the
Mexican government to Europe. In the past
14 months the 11 sculptures that make up the
exhibition have toured Europe performing
in Lisbon, Portugal; Madrid, Spain; Brussels,
Belgium; Potsdam, Germany; Rome, Italy,
and London, United Kingdom.
Art has always been a means to enhance
relations between countries and one of the
best links between human beings, foster-
ing the union of cultures. An exhibition like
Nuestros Silencios and its cruise on the River
Seine, puts Mexico at the forefront of inter-
national contemporary art. n

www.nuestrossilencios.com

www.rivelino.com.mx
18 Negocios Photos courtesy of tierramex

Mexican Flavors
Conquering China
Tierramex, a company owned by Mexicans in
Shanghai, is sharing the original Mexican cuisine
with China.

I
t is said that one can know a country through its food and that a
countrys cuisine can be the best way to study its history. When
it comes to Mexico, theres no doubt that is true. Mexicos his-
tory can be told through foods like corn or cocoa, drinks like
tequila or dishes like mole. That history is as rich as the diversity of
the countrys foods and as complex and fascinating as the dishes of
its gastronomy.
There is no doubt: much can be said about Mexican gastronomy,
from the times when colonial syncretism created a grand variety of
recipes by the intuitive mix of ingredients and traditions of both Eu-
rope and Mesoamerica, to this century when the exquisite fusion of
Mexican cuisine moves through the world surprising taste buds and
gaining more adherents.
But there is another side of the story. Mexico being acknowledged
across the globe for its cuisine, Mexican food has become a profitable
business not only within the country but also abroad. TierraMex is a
good example of how Mexican flavors are conquering new markets
and increasingly becoming a gainful business.
TierraMex Group is an authentic Mexican food company in
Shanghai, owned and operated by Mexicans. It began in September
2009 and has developed rapidly to include a Mexican restaurant and
taco bar, a Mexican cuisine catering service and a Mexican hand-
made frozen food products delivery service within its brand.
It was founded by scar Bedolla, a young Mexican entrepreneur A part of Mexico in Shanghai
who became familiar whith China in 2005 during a university ex- Mi Tierra (My Land) is an impressive setting for the kitchens self-
change in Beijing. In addition, his family does business with raw ma- proclaimed down-home cooking. Housed in a 1920s mansion located
terials in the Asian nation. at the center of French Concession, the space has been gutted and re-
Bedolla, originary from Guanajuato, studied international affairs stored as a three floor Mexican villa, complete with a beautiful glass
and wanted to put into practice what he learned and, at the same ceilinged courtyard, a taco bar, an art gallery, shops that sell Mexican
time, demonstrate Mexicos culinary richness in Asia. wares and a Latin dancing space on the top floor.
Bedollas idea was completed by two partners: his brother Leonel It is the only pure Mexican restaurant in Shanghai owned by Mex-
and the Mexican chef Gabriela Fernndez. icans and since it opened in early 2010, it has quickly developed a
Willing to share original Mexican cuisine with the world, the reputation for high quality, diverse and authentic Mexican offerings.
three partners started outsourcing homemade Mexican frozen food. Executive director scar Bedolla in tandem with head chef Gabri-
One year later, in 2010, Mi Tierra TierraMexs Mexican restau- ela Fernndez have created a menu that is an upscale take on some
rant in Shanghai was named as the official restaurant of the Mexi- downhome cooking.
can Pavilion at Expo Shanghai 2010, where it had a unique platform Fernndez prides herself on using recipes handed down from
to show the world how Mexican food can be a good business, even traditional dishes prepared by her grandmother and mother, using
in China. locally sourced produce and ingredients.
 mexicos partner tierramex

I want to introduce Mexican food and culture to everyone. What

we try to do every day is to make our customers feel like they are
coming to a friends house to eat, so they leave happy, she says.
The ambiance of Mi Tierra is also one of its defining features. Its
colorful lighting, soaring ceilings and spacious rooms are a grandiose
take on the traditional hacienda. Mi Tierra combines Mexican design
with traditional culinary culture to create an authentic Mexican res-
taurant with classic flavor.
It is that commitment to taking authentic Mexican food to Shanghai
that has led TierraMexs restaurant, Mi Tierra, to become a favorite
among Chinese customers interested in discovering and enjoying those
flavors that have earned Mexico worldwide recognition. TierraMexs
business plan includes opening Mexican restaurants and expanding its
catering and frozen product delivery services to other Chinese cities. n

www.tierramex.com.cn
20 Negocios Photo archive

Mexico Gives Flavor to the World

By cristina vila-zesatti

In November 1519, Hernn Corts and Moctezuma II met face to face for the first time. Ostensibly, Mxico-
Tenochtitlan had fallen to the Spanish. However, in the depths of the pre-Hispanic stone ovens, secrets
of an ancient cooking tradition were kept, while the conquerors and the conquered shared a table and
exchanged products. Today many varieties of dishes bear living testimony to the culinary syncretism
that took place with an almost religious fervor between both cultures. Traditional Mexican cuisine has
now been inscribed as a World Heritage because its flavors have seduced the worlds palate. In this
bicentennial year, that recognition, as well as a prize, implies a huge responsibility for the country.

A comal with its brazier, a stool,
2 kilos of nixtamal (tortilla dough)
and some toy pots with three
spicy stews or guisos. That was
how, with just an informal permit
28 years ago, Julia Bauelos began
selling gorditas (a corn cake with
a filling) on a street in the city of
Zacatecas.
Listen, Id left my job as head
of a kitchen at a hotel because the
manager always had it in for me.
But I needed to look after my son
who was just a few months old.
My husbands wage wasnt enough
and, well, all I knew was how to
cook. Thats right. And I do put a
lot of care into my cooking [] some
people say that I give my cooking a
special sazn [unique flavor], says
Julia.
Doa Julia was 32 years old at
the time. Shes now 60, has four
children and a cooking emporium
which has become a real tradition
in Zacatecas, the beautiful colonial
Mexican city named a World Heri-
tage City by UNESCO in 1993.
Over the course of almost three
decades, Gorditas Doa Julia has
opened eight branches employing
50 people and receives an average
of 2,000 customers a day. Industrial
quantities of nixtamal and the main
ingredients are bought and the
stews or guisos are prepared in vats
in a 400 square meters kitchen.
Julia Bauelos, one of the
many heads of kitchens in Mex-
ico, known as mayoras, who are
women, knows much more than
just cooking. She like so many
Mexican women, many of whom
without even realizing it is the
depositary of a tradition going
back centuries: Mexicos gastro-
nomic alchemy which, on No-
vember 18 in Nairobi in Kenya,
was officially inscribed onto the
UNESCOs Representative List of
the Intangible Cultural Heritage
of Humanity.
Tradition and Responsibility
Mexicos application to the Unit-
ed Nations was finally successful.
The first attempt was made in
2005 but the proposal was re-
jected. For five years, a Mexican
organization that works to safe-
guard Mexicos traditional gastro-
nomic heritage (CCGM) a mul-
tidisciplinary group interested
in protecting Mexicos culinary
traditionworked to resubmit the
proposal.
We consider it essential to
protect our cuisine. Therefore
this inscription will help; far
from being a gift, it represents
an enormous commitment, says
Gloria Lpez Morales, director
of CCGM, which is comprised
of chefs, mayoras, chemists, civil
experts and academics inter-
ested in Mexican cooking, an in-
tricate system that has managed
to survive for over five centuries
through thick and thin.
The announcement by UNES-
CO implies a great responsibility.
To be honest, this is going to involve
a lot of hard work if we approach it
seriously. But it can be very worth-
while, says Pilar Fausto, cook,
researcher and teacher at the edu-
cational institute of gastronomy
in Quertaro (IGES). To preserve
this international seal is going to
require us to discover the difficul-
ties facing each region: in the rural
areas, among the people [...] weve
got to rescue the original ingredi-
ents, stop adulterating the soil and
natural products [...] weve also got
to save from oblivion all the heri-
tage that has never been written
down, which has just been passed
down by word of mouth [...] And
something else equally important:
we have to reeducate our palates,
which have lost their sense of taste
from so much junk food [...] now
were incapable of distinguishing a
good mole from a bad one.
 special feature mexican gastronomy

If Men Become Sheep,
the Wolf will Devour Them
The market of Tlatelolco in Mexi-
co City, with its variety of products
from the entire Mesoamerican
region, its massive size and impec-
cable organization, impressed the
Spanish who found more spices
there than they hoped to find on
Columbus failed search for the
Indies when he arrived in the
New World: vanilla, chocolate,
epazote, maize, many varieties of
chili, maize and beans, zucchini,
avocado, turkey its impossible
to calculate how many species of
plants animals were taken from
Mexico to the rest of the world as
part of its own, pacifist conquest
via the palate.
Paris smells of vanilla, wrote
a French poet in the 17th cen-
tury. The Mexican orchid was to
change the worlds desserts for
ever; just like chocolate, a word
of Nhuatl origin that is kept on
in many other languages. Now
Africa smells of chocolate, China
tastes of chili and nopal. The US
and France, meanwhile, taste
of huitlacoche in the latter two
countries, farmers infect their
plants with this highly valued fun-
gus which the Aztecs considered
as worthy for consumption only
by the emperor.
The sacred trilogy of Mexican
cooking: the bean with over 60 va-
rieties, the chili with over 20 known
types and maize with 300 faces and
venerated by the pre-Hispanic pop-
ulations as their most sacred plant.
These are all still eaten by Mexicans,
just like the recipes and ancestral
traditions which, nevertheless, are
still at risk of being lost.
But if the saying is true: its nev-
er too late to start, and if the well
known Mexican chef Patricia Quin-
tana is right to assert that Mexico is
a Cuisine that has gone on a round
trip then its possible to start out
with a small step like the business of
Julia Bauelos: little by little.

Photo adrin moreno pea

An Inheritance
0f Two Empires:
Pleasing the
Worlds Palate
In a strictly gastronomic
sense, Mexican cuisine
could be said to have ex-
perienced authentic blood
weddings, the result of
which has given the whole
world a gift of new tastes
and flavors.
On the one hand, Spain is
a country that was often con-
quered and with a long tradition
of overseas trade. That brought
it a huge variety of products,
not just from the old world but
from every corner of the planet.
The Aztecs, meanwhile,
who had extended their rule
to cover a wide expanse of the
land we now know as Mexico,
were accustomed to importing
products, techniques and uten-
sils from their own conquered
territories, all serving to enrich
their culinary system until it
became their own.
Now, almost five centuries
after the clash between the
Spanish and Mesoamerican
cultures, Mexican cuisine like
many other of the countrys
traditions shows that syncre-
tism was always on local terms,
incorporating what came from
elsewhere without sacrific-
ing the roots of their ancestral
identity.
Today, as Mexico celebrates
200 years as an independent
country, the world has bowed
down before what is known
typically as La Cocina Mexi-
cana, a culinary system which
has now been classified by
UNESCO as a World Heritage.
22 Negocios
I began little by little. I cooked
out of necessity but with lots
of love. I never thought about
opening branches or winning
prizes. I did what I knew how
to do. I even had to learn how
to make tortillas by hand [...]
but one thing I did have were
my secret recipes and they have
worked very well for me. Now
all my people have learned
how to make them because my
Photo santi mb
Huitlacoche:
a Gift from the Gods
The pre-Hispanic god who made the wild mushrooms grow
was called Nanacatzin; his name derives from ncatl meat,
and tzin a ceremonial particle.
Huitlacoche or Cuitlacoche has a doubly divine lineage, as
it issues forth from the highest-ranking food deity: Centli, the
lord of the maize.
Yet the ancient peoples knew that to some extent the ap-
pearance of this black stain on their crops was a disease af-
fecting their most sacred plant. It is no accident that its name
means literally sleeping excrement (cuitlatl excrement,
and cochi sleeping).
In fact, in menu translations in some international restau-
rants, this mushroom is called corn smut, while also noting
that this is a delicacy in order to justify the sky-high prices
that a dish with Huitlacoche can cost in Paris, London, or New
York, where it has become much sought after.
To mitigate the difficulty and the cost of exporting it,
US and European farmers, especially in France, have recently
begun to infect a part of their maize crops to obtain this
fungus that many know and classify as the Mexican truffle, in
relation to the rare Old World fungus.
Mexico has a wide variety of other edible wild mushrooms.
Tecomate, xotlalich and tejamaniles are some of the other of
these nancatl or mushrooms served up in Mexican dishes.
The Mexican Ministry of the Environment (Semarnat, for
its acronym in Spanish) has recorded at least 200 species
spread across 28 of the 32 Mexican federal entities. Half of
these cannot be cultivated and it is only possible to harvest
them from areas where they grow naturally.
Photo international maize and wheat improvement center
gorditas must taste the same in
every one of my restaurants [...]
and you only learn about that
sort of thing through practice,
says Doa Julia, who recently
received an offer from a chain
of cinemas to open 110 branches
around the country. Although
that venture never took off, she
has already made here name
and she is now a key ingredient
of daily life in Zacatecas.
 special feature mexican gastronomy

on November 18 in Nairobi (Kenya), Mexicos gastronomic alchemy was

officially inscribed onto the UNESCOs Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

After Mexico adopted and

transformed what came from
other cultures such as the Span-
ish, the French, the Chinese, the
North American and the Ger-
man the Spanish cattle, the
Americans bars, the French
patisseries, the Germans coffee
plantations, the Chinese concept
of putting milk into coffee we
then made our own sweets,
turned the bars into our sacred
cantinas and put lard into the ta-
males. If everything acquired its
own particular taste here the

Photo hathan gibbs

flavor a la Mexicana then its
still possible to reconquer a lega-
cy that, fortunately, has survived
despite the passage of time and
human fickleness. n

Children
of Maize
An ancient legend states
that todays Mexicans are
the children of the fifth
sun, the men of maize
according to Toltec lore
that was taken up by the
Aztecs. According to
other myths, when man
had nothing to eat, he was
given Maize (Centli) by
the god Quetzalcatl who,
disguised as an ant, raided
the Mount of Sustenance.
Be that as it may, in
Mexico and the rest of
the American continent,
maize became key to
the nomad tribes new
sedentary communities
and for the subsequent
birth of highly refined cultures
over the centuries: a culture
in which this plant was eter-
nally linked to the divine. It
was worshipped, sung to and
spoken to, all out of fear that
the Centli might one day take
back its gift.
And, as Sebastin Verdi
wrote in his book Mosaico
Multicolor y Esplendor de
la Gastronoma Mexicana
(Editorial Diana. 1993), if the
modus vivendi of the indig-
enous peoples was maize
and its subproducts, then the
tortilla and its various forms
have constituted the modus
operandi of Mesoamerican
cultures for centuries.
And the Codex Mendoza,
rescued by historians, has
revealed the eating habits
of pre-Hispanic populations:
From the age of three, half
a tortilla a day. From four to
five, a whole tortilla. From six
to twelve, one and a half tor-
tillas. And from thirteen, two
tortillas.
Used as a spoon, a plate or
a napkin, rolled up or folded,
combined with sweet or sa-
vory flavors, on its own with
salt or with stews, the tortilla is
a maize-based food prepared
with water and lime and then
ground on the metate, a tradi-
tional utensil still used today in
many Mexican homes.
This system, which trans-
forms and enhances the in-
trinsic qualities of corn, is only
found in this region and has
not been exported or imitated,
despite the Spanish being the
ones to invent the first corn
mills in New Spain. These
Spanish-owned mills that
used local labor would later
become the famous tortilleras
that become widespread in
the 19th century.
Nowadays, there are still
around 40,000 tortillerias in
Mexico, which operate using
sophisticated machines mak-
ing exactly the same product
as indigenous women used
to make many centuries ago.
What appears unchanged
over time has been Mexicos
predilection for this corn
bread, as Mexicans are each
estimated to eat an average of
1,000 tortillas every year.
24 Negocios

Mexican
Truffles and
Caviar and
Other Imperial
Delicacies
Mexican gastronomy is distin-
guished not only by its sheer
variety but also and above
all by the wealth of knowl-
edge held by pre-Hispanic
communities in putting al-
most every form of nature to
good use.
In days of old, insects, lar-
vae and wild mushrooms were
protected in their natural
habitat, to be later consumed
by dignitaries. Some of these
little delicacies were in fact
reserved exclusively for the
Emperors table. The chinche
insect (Axaycatl) and aquatic
flies (Amoyotl), as well as ant
eggs (Azcamolli or Escamo-
les) compete as the so-called
Mexican caviar and among
the fungal foodstuffs (Nan-
catl), Huitlacoche or Cuitlaco-
che is undoubtedly the Mexi-
can truffle par excellence. types of insects highly nutri-
Based on the smallest of
natural offerings, these tasty
morsels were developed into
sumptuous dishes prepared in
the pre-Hispanic kitchens to
be tasted by the ruler.
The ancient codices of the
Mexica Empire refer to at least
96 species of edible insects.
However, that number is prob-
ably due to the difference in
languages and dialect because
in Mexico over 500 different
tious for the human body
have been counted.
Of these delicious tidbits
that were fit for kings, here
are some of the delicacies
from Mexicos past. They all
still exist and their consump-
tion and especially their
protection, production and
preparation are all being reap-
praised.

NHUATL GENERIC PRODUCT - PREPARATION

Azcamolli (azctl Ant egg This species makes anthills underneath magueys, nopales and pirule trees.
-ant / molli -ground) (Escamoles) Once the larvae have been collected from the anthill, they were sung to before
being cooked in a broth or fried. Nowadays, this Mexican caviar is sold for
high prices in luxury restaurants.

Axaycatl (atl -water Aquatic Insect An ovoid insect with a large white face. It has wings but usually swims along
/ xcatl -face) (Chinche) the edges of stagnant bodies of water surrounded by vegetation. The eggs of
the axaycatl are called ahuautli and are either dried or toasted on a comal or
ground as a spice for broths.

Amoyotl Aquatic Fly Found in shallow water. Its eggs are known as zcahuitli or gusano lagunero.
They are drained and prepared with chiles and the epazote herb and then
placed like tortilla dough in maize husks and cooked like tamales.

Meocuilin Meocuil (White) Maguey Butterflies deposit their larvae on the fleshy maguey leaves from where they
Worm are harvested. They reach a size of up to 7cm when fully mature. These
worms are toasted or fried. This wasand isconsidered a true delicacy.

Xonecuilli (Red) Maguey They live in the stalk of the agave plant. They are usually collected alive and
Chinicuil Worm fed with tortilla. They are then toasted and skewered to be smoked. They are
also ground to be used for a type of spice. The powder is mixed with pasilla
chili and a sprinkle of salt. This species is easily reproduced in clay or in cloth.

Tomazquitl Butterfly Larvae These white cocoons hang from arbutus trees. The worms are yellow-brown
(Cupiches) and furry, with a soft texture. They are cooked on the comal on a low heat,
with a sprinkle of water and salt. Ideally they are not toasted.

Chapolin Grasshoppers They are mainly found in milpas, although they are now abundant among
(Chapa -bouncing/ other types of crops. They are left overnight in maize husks of pungent herbs
ulli rubber) to purge them. They are cooked alive in boiling salted water before being
dried and then toasted. Some people still eat them alive.
 special feature mexican gastronomy

Nopal: The Green

Heart of Mexico
By cristina vila-zesatti

Photo JOS EUGENIO GMEZ

The nutritional and medicinal properties of the what would become one of Me-
nopal make it the king of cactuses and it is 100% soamericas last major empires
before the Spanish conquest:
Mexican. Historians and anthropologists confirm
Tenochtitlan, meaning the place
that it has existed in Mexico for some 25,000 of the nopal leaves.
years. And today, science is proving all the hidden Beyond the legend, the nopal
wonders underneath the spines of the fleshy leaves has certainly always been linked
of the nopal, the most Mexican of all our foods. to the Mexican identity.
Its a plant, or to be more ex-
icans and foreigners alike for its
taste, its offer of multiple gastro-
nomic options and for its plenti-
ful medicinal properties.
Heart of a Warrior
Some anthropologists say that
the use of nopal in the area that
comprised the Mesoamerican

C
ontrary to the popular
saying, there is some-
thing more Mexican
than mole: the nopal,
the cactus that officially repre-
sents Mexico on its coat of arms.
Give or take a metaphor or two,
ancient Mexico was founded ver-
ily upon a nopal but not just act a cactus, and it has accom- region can be traced back some
any old one but a very special panied Mexico for centuries in 25,000 years, others calculate it
specimen: a nopal on which an a myriad of ways: as a symbol of to be older than 50,000 years.
eagle and a snake were engaged identity, as a landscape feature In this region from the US to
in mortal combat. and a boundary, as a medicine Patagonia some 300 different
That was the sign that the god but especially as a food. It is the varieties of this cactus have been
Huitzilopochtli the sun god most Mexican of wild foodstuffs found, at least 170 of which are
had given to the Aztecs to build and it continues to surprise Mex- native to Mexico.
 26 Negocios
Photo archive
In Nhuatl, Nochtli or nopalli
can be translated as fruit of the
earth. That name is meaningful
since this plant only needs its seed
to be buried in the earth in order
to grow. It can withstand the most
inhospitable conditions, it grows
in desert and extremely cold re-
gions and there are records that
various traditional cultures were
already using it for food and me-
dicinal purposes.
Spanish explorer lvar Nez so, from the 16th century, its use
Cabeza de Vacas wrote an ac-
count called Los naufragios in
1528, in which he tells of the in-
digenous peoples from the north
of Mexico saving his life by giving
him this peculiar cactus to eat. Its
properties and mode of prepara-
tion and cultivation are immor-
talized in friar Bernardino de
Sahagns Historia General de las
Cosas de la Nueva Espaa.
Although the spiny, fleshy
leaves of these new lands were
not worth their weight in gold,
samples of the nopal were taken
overseas and even reached King
Carlos V of Spain himself. Some
primary sources from the period
indicate that the king was magi-
cally cured of a strange disease,
through the application of com-
presses dipped in extracted no-
pal juice that was placed over his
ulcers.
This miraculous cactus trav-
elled from Mexican lands to new
territories, where it would be
necessary to show the generosity
of its cultivation and its prodigious
qualities when consumed. And
name given to the plant, which
has expanded. From Spain it con-
quered the Old World and was
taken to Portugal, Greece and Ita-
ly and then on to the African con-
tinent: Algiers, Morocco, Tunisia,
South Africa and, most recently,
Asia has also started to take note
of its many qualities.
The nopal is of savage appear-
ance, full of spines to protect its
hard leaves, and also produces col-
orful flowers and the prickly pear
or tuna, an exquisite fruit which has
its own charm and magic. The Az-
tecs, for example, compared tunas
of an intense red hue to the bloody
hearts of warriors and therefore
divine properties were attached to
Photo celso flores
it: they were convinced that eating
tunas gave unwavering courage and
resolution.
What was known through in-
tuition in the old days is gradually
proving to tally closely with scien-
tific discoveries.
Dangerous Outside,
Refreshing Inside
and Healthy Throughout
Opuntia Vulgaris is the scientific
the nopal or the Opuntia is also
belongs to the Cactaceae fam-
ily. According to Helia Bravo, a
biologist who devoted her life to
studying and classifying Mexi-
can cactuses, the nopal is the
king of cactuses because of all
that can be extracted and trans-
formed from it.
There are basically two types:
the Opuntia and the Nopalea,
and between the two there are
some 104 different varieties that
can be classified in three catego-
ries: tuna nopales, vegetable no-
pales and fodder nopales.
Various testimonies prove that
ever since pre-Hispanic times
this miraculous plant has been
used to cure fevers through its
boiled juice, to heal cracked lips
by using its slime; its pulp was a
diarrhea remedy and its spines
used to fight infections. The no-
pals fruit, the tuna, was used for
cases of fright and anger, to cure
excess bile, and the hot cladodios
(leaves), were the quickest cure
for ulcers and inflammations if
placed against the affected area.
And if that were not enough,
an excellent foodstuff for its taste
and nutritional value. This cac-
tus, which endures every kind of
climate, which grows practically
wild in almost every part of Mexi-
co and which has fed generations
of Mexicans over the centuries,
contains a veritable treasure chest
of medicinal properties.
Recent studies have discov-
ered that behind the protection
of its fierce spines, nopales con-
tain Vitamins A and C, a gener-
ous amount of calcium and mag-
nesium, B complex, potassium,
iron and plenty of fiber. Eating a
nopal provides 17 amino acids
eight of which are essential for
 special feature mexican
the human bodywhich help to
reduce tiredness, appetite and
blood-sugar levels naturally, so
these cactuses are now highly
recommended for people suf-
fering from diabetes and high
cholesterol levels.
Nopales are usually between
three and five meters high and
have an intensely green stem
from which the spiny leaves
sprout. Its flowers and juicy fruit
are white, yellow and red.
Around 21 varieties of tunas
exist and each possesses anti-
diarrheal and astringent qualities.
Its juice contains large amounts of
antioxidants. Therefore its con-
sumption has recently jumped
from the land of food products to
the shop window displays of natu-
ral cosmetics, due to its age delay-
ing properties.
And we should not forget the
xoconostle or xonocoztle, better
known as the bitter tuna. This
is a nopal fruit which is too ripe
to be eaten fresh but which is
nevertheless a key ingredient for
various typical Mexican dishes,
including mole de olla.
special feature mexican gastronomy
gastronomy
Photo ken bosma
USES OF NOPAL
Nopal helps cure medical complaints such as:
Gastro-intestinal and digestive disorders
Obesity
Hyperglycemia and Type II Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Cholesterol
Nopal is used in various ways:
Squeezed: energy juices made from nopal and tuna, natural shakes
Fresh: salads, stews, soups, snacks, salsas
Preserves: marmalade, pickles and brine
Dehydrated: powder for pills, infusions and capsules (both edible and medicinal)
Other processes: tortilla, bread, desserts, biscuits, jellies, tuna cheese
Cosmetics: creams, shampoo, soap, oils, products to eliminate cellulitis
Cures: natural antibiotics, poultices for ulcers, calcium supplement, weight control, water retention
Construction: restoration, wall protection, adobe roofs, ecological paintings
But the list of nopals proper- More Mexican than the Nopal? producer of nopales in Mexico in
ties continues. If its fruits have No Way, Jos! terms of volume with around 9,000
anti-diarrheal properties, its At the end of 2009, Mexico Citys farmers, each working an average
flower is used in infusions as legislative assembly announced its of half a hectare, harvesting some
an anti-spasmodic. And because intention to register the denomi- 70,000 tons of nopal each year, in a
so little of the nopal goes to nation of origin for the nopal, spe- total area of 4,500 hectares.
waste, its spines or ahuates are cifically for the Milpa Alta variety Milpa Alta is indeed the larg-
often used as fertilizer for the which is, together with the Atlixco est producer of vegetable nopales,
soil, since the natural surprises variety, the most used for vegetable and no one can deny that. But there
seem never ending the cultiva- nopal cultivations in all Mexico. is some question as to whether it
tion of nopales is able to make The Milpa Alta region in Mex- is the original area for the variety
barren soil fertile. icos city conurbation is the largest which now bears its name. n
28 Negocios
A New Sense of Place
in San Miguel de Allende
By mara eugenia sevilla
T
he ancient buildings that grace
the colonial center of San Miguel
de Allende, a picturesque town
of artists, history, thermal water
spas and beautiful natural landscapes in the
state of Guanajuato, welcome those who ven-
ture into the experience of Rosewoods new
development in Mexico.
Characterized by the A Sense of Place phi-
losophy, Rosewood hotels blend in with the ar-
chitectural environment to immerse guests in
the towns natural and cultural charm.
Cocooned in San Miguel de Allendes
historic center, a city that was named World
Heritage Site by UNESCO, Rosewood San
Miguel de Allende will open its doors on
January 20, 2011.
Peace for the Spirit
San Miguel de Allende is the city with the
second largest number of Canadian and
American inhabitants in Mexico. It owes its
popularity to the great quality of life it offers
in a peaceful environment, surrounded by
nature and important cultural activity based
on music and plastic arts.
There are more than 10,000 American
and Canadian expatriates living here, says
Christian Tavelli, CEO of Rosewood San
Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel de Allende offers a growing
number of artistic festivals, such as the Festival
of Chamber Music, which every summer for
the past 25 years has gathered ensembles from
all around the world, and also houses a large
Photos courtesy of rosewood hotels
number of art galleries exhibiting the work of a
thriving community of resident artists.
American visitors, mainly from California
and Texas, make up an important sector of
Rosewoods market, while another segment
is formed by Mexican tourists, especially
those looking for cultural experiences.
According to Tavelli, San Miguel de Allen-
des safe and peaceful quality of life was one
of the attractions that convinced the com-
pany to invest 250 million usd in this latest
development, which is expected to receive
some 7,500 guests in 2011.
There is confidence. Such a large invest-
ment cannot be made without confidence,
says Tavelli, who sees a growth in Mexicos
tourism compared to the last two years. The
 Mexicos partner rosewood hotels

American market loves San Miguel, they
speak wonders of the place, he adds.
Comfort and Good Taste
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rosewood
has more than 13 years experience in the
Mexican market. In July 1997, the company
opened the Las Ventanas al Paraso resort in
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, and, in 2007,
the Mayacoba on the Riviera Maya.
The project has had a huge success in Mex-
ico, says Tavelli. Las Ventanas al Paraso alone
is one of the top ten hotels in Latin America. It
is a beach resort, just like Mayakoba.
The Sense of Place that is the companys
trademark drove it to look for a concept
which related to other cultural aspects of
Mexico and the arrival of the Bicentennial of
the Independence provided the ideal theme:
history.
Rosewood wanted to find a hotel in the
heart of Mexico that could narrate Mexicos
history to our guests. San Miguel turned out
to be that place. Our directors fell in love with
the place and decided to begin this project,
explains Tavelli.
He adds, We did not want a hotel where
guests felt like they were back home. The
idea was for them to feel the towns cultural
and culinary traditions.
The chain is renowned for its elegance
and comfort, reflected in the hotels 67 rooms
and spacious lounge areas, where the wood-
en ceiling beams and finest artisanal furni-
ture converse with local aesthetics and make
room for its creativity.
The American firm KMD, known for its
sustainable projects and with offices in Mex-
ico, took charge of the resorts architectural
design, recreating the citys colonial style and
making guests wonder whether the place is
two or 200 years old, according to Tavelli.
San Miguel de Allendes typical color pal-
ette of red, orange, yellow and cantera pink
was revisited for that very purpose.
With an eye on sustainability, the com-
pany plans a grey water treatment plant to
water the gardens and energy saving solar
panels on the roof of the Luna bar, among
other processes.
In San Miguel de Allende,
a city that was named
World Heritage Site
by UNESCO, Rosewood
San Miguel de Allende
will open its doors
on January 20, 2011. San
Miguel de Allende is the
city with the second
largest number of
Canadian and American
inhabitants in Mexico.
The hotel will be the clubhouse for these
houses, which will be sold as whole proper-
ties. As Tavelli puts it: We are not offering
time-shares.
Gastronomic Delight
and Organic Culture
Under Chef Carlos Hannons watchful eye,
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende offers a
choice of three restaurants.
You can enjoy an al fresco dinner in the
patio among the gardens surrounding La Ca-
sona, where artisanal food is served, or hold
a powwow at the bar that intersects Restau-
rante 1826, named after the year when San
Miguel El Grande was renamed in honor of
Ignacio Allende, a hero of Mexicos struggle
for Independence. With its colonial style, it is
the ideal place to satisfy even the most dis-
cerning palate, by the warmth of the stone
chimney or relaxing on the terrace that faces
the citrus trees, a good mezcal, tequila or
house aperitif in hand.
Rosewoods kitchen will offer the garden-
to-table concept because, as Tavelli recalls, San
Miguel de Allende has always been Mexicos
garden because of its high production of veg-
etables and, in recent years, organic products.
All the vegetables served at the resort will
be pesticide free and have the real flavor and
properties of this fertile land.
We are working with Via, a local organi-
zation that produces organic food for us, and
we will return the waste for composting. We
are also working with a local company that
recycles inorganic waste and which will pro-
cess close to 75% of our garbage, explains
Tavelli, emphasizing Rosewoods vocation to
be involved in the community. In San Miguel,
the company is creating 200 jobs, of which
more than 80% are for local workers.
Agua is the perfect place to have a drink and a
snack at the bar while you soak in the sun on one
of the 72 comfortable loungers around the pool.
For special occasions, the hotel offers a va-
riety of personalized meals, such as romantic
candlelight dinners for two on the terraces or
in the gardens.

Residential Complex
Within the 5.5 hectares of the complex, 29
luxury homes are being built with the option
of acquiring furniture packages to decorate
interior spaces with surface areas ranging
from 250 to 800 square meters.
30 Negocios
Of Wine and Agave
Underground, La Cava stores 1,500 bottles,
including some of the regions organic wines.
Exclusive dinners will be served at a table for
no more than 16 people, where renowned som-
melier Raymundo Vazquez, former sommelier
of the Four Seasons Punta Mita hotel and one
of only four tequilero masters in Mexico, will
be in charge of the pairing. With such exper-
tise, the bar will offer more than 100 varieties
of tequila.
Located on an open air terrace, Luna Roof-
top Tapas Bar will offer original Spanish tapas.
Tavelli remembers that these snacks were
originally served in the small dishes used to
cover beers and other beverages when they
were brought to the table. Mexican and Iberian
tapas will be served in this traditional way to be
enjoyed under the stars or at sunset with a gor-
geous view of the parish and the city.
Art and Fun for Everyone
Art is the essence of all the activities that
Rosewood offers, giving each guest the ideal
environment for recreation.
According to Tavelli,
San Miguel de Allendes
safe and peaceful
quality of life was
one of the attractions
that convinced the
company to invest
250 million usd in this
development, expected
to receive some 7,500
guests in 2011.
An Art Concierge will be on hand to help
adults purchase art, guiding them through
the best galleries to find what they are look-
ing for. The hotel will also offer aesthetic ap-
preciation classes or plastic arts workshops.
Children will be able to enjoy artistic cre-
ation in the Kids Club where, instead of play-
ing video games, they will be able to paint,
sculpt and give free rein to their imagination.
They will also be able to learn how to cook
and the more intellectually inclined will be
photo courtesy of rosewood hotels
able to take Spanish lessons with fun learn-
ing activities.
A wide variety of historic tours through
the citys cobbled streets, horse rides in nearby
ranches and guided tours of museums, mar-
kets and crafts centers will be organized from
the comfort of the hotel, as well as an outing to
the best thermal water spas in the area.
Deep Relaxation
Sense, a Rosewood Spa, is the resorts rest
and health sanctuary. A 100 square meter
space features eight rooms for deep relax-
ation or positive energizing through a variety
of world class body or facial, sauna or steam
treatments, which are offered individually or
for couples.
These latest generation facilities feature
personal trainers, yoga and Pilates classes
to make your stay at San Miguel de Allende
more than just relaxing.
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is only
an hour from the Bajo Len-Guanajuato In-
ternational Airport and a three hour drive
from Mexico City. n

Industrial Strength
By ulises hernndez
Although Mexican multinational companies first gained momentum
in exports during the first half of the 20th century, they have only truly
taken off within the last 25 years. Today they are leaders in various
sectors throughout Latin America.
I
n 1893, Carta Blanca beer, initially bot-
tled in transparent bottles with a rein-
forced cork, won the gold medal at the
Columbian Exposition of Chicago. That
was the first time in history that a Mexican
beer gained international recognition.
Four years later in 1930, Carta Blancas bot-
tling company, Cervecera Cuauhtmoc, started
exporting its product. Those were the first years
of a business adventure that has since spanned
many decades, allowing the Mexican brewery
to conquer new markets and enter into merg-
ers with its competitors. It has also allowed the
company to diversify its business interests by in-
special report Mexican multinationals
corporating the production of soft drinks, juices
and by operating convenience stores.
During the first decade of this century, Fo-
mento Econmico Mexicano (FEMSA), the
controlling firm of Cervecera Cuauhtmocs op-
erations, had become one of the most important
beverage companies in the world. After buying
the firm Panamco in 2002, FEMSA became the
main bottler of Coca Cola in Latin America and
the second largest in the world.
Today, FEMSA is one of many Mexican mul-
tinational companies that have a strong partici-
pation in the globalization process. It recently
traded its beer production division for 20%
photo courtesy of grupo modelo
participation in the shares of Heineken. The
Mexican firm currently forms part of the third
most important commercial brewing group and
also focuses its efforts on the divisions that man-
age convenience stores and produce juices and
other drinks.
Either through foreign trade or the localiza-
tion of investment opportunities in other coun-
tries, Mexican multinationals have left their
mark on international economic activity within
the last 50 years.
The most significant growth of these com-
panies took place in the last 25 years and was
rooted in the opening of Mexicos economy to
foreign trade along with the initiation of 11 trade
treaties with 41 countries, principally the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
with the US and Canada.
A recent study from the Institute for Eco-
nomic Research (IIEc) at the National Autono-
mous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the
Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable Interna-
tional Investment (VCC) at Columbia University
in New York, listed a ranking of 19 Mexican mul-
tinationals as part of a greater study that looked
32 Negocios
at the global expansion of multinational compa-
nies in emerging markets.
Food and beverage companies, mining com-
panies, telecommunications firms, auto parts
manufacturers, media consortia and other ar-
eas with significant economic weight figure in
this group. According to the 2008 study, these
19 Mexican firms added up sales totals greater
than 58.4 billion usd and managed foreign assets
valuing over 97.3 billion usd. Together they em-
ploy 190,000 people.
The numbers do not reflect the impact of the
recent international recession which undoubt-
edly affected many of these companies. Despite
difficult times, some Mexican multinationals, like
Bimbo and Lala, have shown their strength by
purchasing important competitors from the US
and adding them to their respective portfolios.
Corn tortillas in England, beer in Japan, soap
operas in China and electric appliance stores in
Brazil are testament to how Mexican companies
have made headway in different foreign markets.
The geographical map of the Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) of the listed companies reveals
that the main destinations for their investment
flows are the US, especially the southern states,
and Central and South America, followed by Eu-
rope, says the study of from the IIEc at UNAM
and VCC at Columbia.
According to the study, in which Mexican
researchers Jorge Basave Kunhardt and Mara
Teresa Gutirrez-Haces participated, Mexican
multinationals have experienced two foreign in-
vestment cycles in the last 40 years.
The first happened during the 1970s after
many decades of Mexicos economic expansion.
The first manufacturing businesses came into a
streak of purchasing competing firms and diver-
sifying within the country. Its internationaliza-
tion process also started through foreign export
and investment, mainly to the US. That streak
ended with the debt crisis of the 1980s.
The Mexican multinationals second for-
eign investment cycle started in the 1990s and
continued with the export boom generated by
NAFTA and the trade agreements with many
Latin American countries, the European Union
and Japan.
Mexican multinationals have broken into the
global economy in different ways. One of the most
common is through the export and distribution
of its products and services to other countries.
With branch offices spread throughout the
world that provide services to importers, distrib-
utors and its customers, Grupo Modelo, another
large Mexican commercial brewing group, has
established its brand in more than 160 countries.
Today, FEMSA is one
of many Mexican
multinational companies
that have a strong
participation in the
globalization process. It
recently traded its beer
production division for
20% participation in the
shares of Heineken.
During the 1980s, its signature product,
Corona Extra, became the beer that expe-
rienced the greatest growth in the history of
the US. After that, the firm made incursions
in Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
In 1989, Modelo entered Europe through
a branch office in Belgium and from there
extended itself to Russia, Africa and Latin
America.
Grupo Televisa is another Mexican multi-
national that has based its strength on export
and distribution. Founded in 1955 by a family
of the countrys pioneers in broadcasting, Tele-
visa has become the largest media company
in the Spanish speaking world and the second
largest in its sector in Latin America.
Televisa started exporting soap operas and
comedy programs that became an interna-
tional success. Productions like Los ricos tam-
bin lloran and Chespirito were a huge success
in the 1970s and gave way to a broad genera-
tion of television programming that today in-
cludes series, reality shows, cartoons, movies
and sporting events.
photo courtesy of femsa
Today, through Televisa Internacional, the
company offers its programming in more than
100 countries with sales offices in Miami, New
York, Buenos Aires, Madrid and Beijing.
Localization is also seen as an option for
some Mexican multinationals which has led
them to develop their own operations within
foreign countries. An example of that is the Elek-
tra-Banco Azteca model that belongs to Grupo
Salinas.
After achieving success in Mexico in 2005,
that group started a phase of expansion through
Central and South America, introducing the
model of a retail store and bank under the same
roof. The model enables the sale of home goods
and electric appliances to be financed through
microloans issued to people with low income.
Today, Grupo Salinas is present in eight Latin
American countries, including Brazil, the re-
gions largest economy. The group also has plans
to expand into Colombia, Paraguay and Costa
Rica. In 2008, the Electra-Banco Azteca com-
bination added up to 444 points of sales within
Latin America.
Nevertheless, perhaps the most fruitful ex-
pansion method in the last few years has been
in acquisitions that reflect the buying power of
Mexican multinationals. Gruma, which pro-
duces flour and corn tortillas, the petrochemical
firm Mexichem and mining company Grupo
Mxico are some examples of those that ex-
panded through this method.
After a series of local purchases in 2004,
Mexichem became Latin Americas largest
producer of hydrofluoric acid and polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) resins. In 2006, it purchased
Bayshore Group, the largest producer of vinyl

compounds in the US, and, in 2007, it purchased
Amanco, the regions main provider of fluid de-
livery systems.
Today, Mexichem is the most important
chemical and petrochemical consortium in
the region.
The champion of acquisitions is without
doubt Amrica Mvil, the leading telecommu-
nications company in Latin America, controlled
by the Slim family. In 2000, when Amrica
Mvil separated from Telmex, its parent com-
pany, the company had more than 10 million
cellular telephone customers in Mexico, US,
Guatemala and Ecuador.
After various rounds of acquisitions through-
out Central and South America, Amrica Mvil
closed 2008 with almost 183 million cellular
telephone users and operations in 18 countries,
including the regions economic giant, Brazil. It
also controlled almost four million landlines in
Central America and the Caribbean.
This year, Amrica Mvil rejoined its par-
ent company. This time it purchased two firms,
Carso Global Telecom, which holds the majority
control of Telmex, and Telmex Internacional, the
firms regional division of landline telephones.
That maneuver allowed Amrica Mvil to con-
solidate and increase its market of cellular tele-
phones, landlines and internet services to 250
million customers on the continent.
Like its counterparts in other countries,
Mexican multinationals have not been im-
mune to the global economic recession. In
fact, among the most affected companies were
those with the greatest exposure to the most
vulnerable sectors like construction, real estate
and automotive.
That was the case of two firms located in
Monterrey: Cementos Mexicanos (Cemex) and
Nemak, the auto parts division of Grupo Alfa.
In 2003, Cemex, the third largest concrete
products manufacturer in the world, sur-
prised the business community with the pur-
chase of Ready Mix Concrete (RMC). In 2007,
it purchased its Australian rival Rinker for 27
billion usd, making the purchase the largest
in history by a Mexican company within the
emerging markets.
The arrival of the recession caused a con-
siderable shrinkage in the three main Cemex
markets of Spain, the United Kingdom and the
US. Cemex felt financial pressure, started to
negotiate with its creditors and sold some non-
strategic assets to reduce its debt.
Nemak, which specialized in the production
of cylinder heads and engine blocs and supplied
automotive companies like Ford and GM, in
special report Mexican multinationals
Grupo Lala, the largest
producer of dairy
products in Mexico, has
shown that it knows
how to take advantage
of opportunities in the
middle of the crisis.
It has 23 production
centers in Mexico, the US
and Central America.
turn saw the need to temporarily suspend pro-
duction in its nine plants operating in Mexico.
Then, in 2008, the international automotive
industry entered into a crisis due to a combina-
tion of the recession and structural problems.
As a result, main focus was shifted away from
the company and even caused some of its for-
eign plants to close.
Two years later, Nemak has regained its
strength and growth. In the second trimester
of 2010, its consolidated earnings grew 74%
in comparison to the same time period of the
previous year. Nemak is present in 13 countries
in North America, South America, Europe and
Asia, including China and India.
Even in difficult times, like those experi-
enced in the last two years, Mexican multina-
tionals do not falter and know how to move
ahead when they identify good business op-
portunities.
In December of 2008, when the recession
was in full swing, Grupo Bimbo, already a lead-
er in Mexico and Latin America, purchased a
set of bread making businesses in the US from
photo courtesy of lala
a Canadian company named George Weston
for 2.3 billion usd. Bimbo increased its presence
on the East Coast of the US and consolidated
as one of the largest bread making companies
in the world.
Today, Bimbo is present in 17 countries in-
cluding China. It manages 7,000 products and
markets around 150 brands that encompass
bread, cookies, snacks and sweets.
Grupo Lala, the largest producer of dairy
products in Mexico, is another company that
has shown that it knows how to take advantage
of opportunities in the middle of the crisis. In
May of 2009, the company from Laguna, Coa-
huila, purchased National Dairy, the milk pro-
cessing plant for Dairy Farmers of America,
one the largest cooperatives of milk producers
in the US.
Lala consolidated its presence in the North
American market with common brands like
Borden and Dairy Fresh. At present, Lala has
23 production centers in Mexico, the US and
Central America and possesses the largest dis-
tribution network of dairy products in Latin
America. Its 160 distribution centers and 6,000
routes provide services to half a million people
each day.
The recession seems to have come to an
end. The economic situation improves day af-
ter day, resurgence is starting to be felt in fac-
tories with regard to orders and exports are
regaining a good pace.
Sales levels are still not back to what they
were before the crisis but, within that context,
Mexican multinationals are the best prepared
to successfully reach recovery while continuing
to proudly represent their country. n
34 Negocios Photos courtesy of volare engineering

Volare Engineering:
A High-Flying Company with Solid Foundations
Baja California has the most developed aeronautical industry of Our main clients are in the US and Canada,
all states in Mexico. In the city of Mexicali, a pioneering Mexican although we hope to close some new deals with
countries in Europe such as the Netherlands,
company almost unique in its field designs and manufactures
Germany, Italy, Spain, Britain and France []
galley and cabin furniture for aircraft and trains that travel across the In fact, from 2008 to date, 100% of our prod-
worlds skies and land. Volare Engineering specializes in ergonomic ucts have been for export, says Sergio Segura,
furniture for transport systems and its products have won prizes the a company director.
world over for using environmentally friendly materials. Kitchenettes, closets, cabinets and meal
carts for flight attendants are just some of the
products that Volare designs and gives manu-

D
uring your last plane journey, did
you feel that your seat was more
comfortable? And when the flight
attendants came to serve your
food and drink, did it seem to take ages for
them to reach you? Have you ever wondered
how much the furniture weighs in the aircraft
in which youre traveling?
In Mexicali, Baja California, there is a com-
pany focused entirely on asking itself these
types of question. But more importantly, it sets
out to answer them too. In fact, it was the first
100% Mexican company in the aeronautical
industry to focus on the design of furniture for
commercial aircrafts.
Volare Engineering was founded after the
closure of a Dutch company based in the north-
ern Mexican city. The company closed after the
attacks of September 11, 2001.
That company employed three Mexicans
who started from where their ex-employer
had left off, but they did not stop there. They
gave the company a new impetus. From what
was an assembly operation, they created a
design, manufacturing and consultancy com-
pany: a high-flying business created, directed
and operated by Mexicans.
Mexican Designs Flying
Around the World
The state of Baja California is probably the
most developed Mexican state in the aeronau-
tical sector. Even so, in regards interior fittings
of aircraft, Volare remains the only one of its
kind in this part of Mexico and its close prox-
imity to the US has helped with its exports.
facturing support for passenger aircrafts.
Nine engineers handle the entire process: the
engineering, design and 3D modeling; the struc-
tural calculations; the manufacture and even the
companys official certification, which since 2008
has been able to boast the ISO-9001 (Interna-
tional Organization for Standardization 9001), a
certificate only awarded to companies that have
proved high levels of quality internationally.
A Comfortable
and Environmentally Friendly Journey
For the second consecutive year, Volares designs
won the Crystal Cabin Award in the German city
of Hamburg, an event attended by world leaders
in industrial design and passenger comfort.
We entered our proposal for a meal cart
which is used by flight attendants while serv-

ing in-flight food and drinks [] The previous
design weighed 23 kilograms and was made
mainly of aluminum, says Sergio Segura. Our
design, meanwhile, weighs in at just 9.9 kilos
and is made of recycled and plastic materials.
So we not only received an award for the inno-
vation but also for creating a much lighter and
more environmentally friendly product.
Although the aeronautical industry is its
specialty, it is not the only area in which Volare
works. Its products also involve the design for
some areas of medicine, with ergonomic pro-
posals for the elderly, and they also create de-
signs for passenger trains.
To give a straightforward example of its
track record, Volares team in close collabo-
ration with the major player in this sector,
Bombardier Transportation Canada was re-
sponsible for the creation of the interior cabin
furniture for complete meal cart of Acela, Am-
traks high-speed rail service along the North-
east Corridor (NEC) in the US.
Next Station: Expansion
For one of its projects in Mexico, Volare was
hired to fit out 26 aircraft belonging to the
defunct airline AVIACSA and has provided
support to other Mexican airlines, because
Mexicos Partner volare Engineering
from other countries which then contact us to
make the products, so it ends up being trian-
The state of Baja gulated. But, ultimately, we do have a presence
California is probably in Mexico, albeit indirectly.
the most developed As well as its offices in Mexico, Volare Engi-
neering has international offices in the US and
Mexican state in the
Canada and has developed designs for the big
aeronautical sector. players in the global aviation industry such as
Even so, in regards Fly Emirates, the National Airline of United
interior fittings of Arab Emirates (Etihad) in its A340-600 mod-
aircraft, Volare remains el, for Boeing Next Generation for the B737-
the only one of its kind 900ER model and for the Airbus A380 model.
As regards design for aircraft interi-
in this part of Mexico
ors and transport, the company undoubt-
and its close proximity edly knows perfectly well how to navigate
to the US has helped through the specialist sector. Its directors
with its exports. clearly have their eyes on the sky and their
feet on the ground. Sergio Segura says that
soon they will be increasing their engineer-
consultancy is fundamental to the services of- ing personnel and that they hope to close
fered by this company based in Mexicali. various international deals.
We havent had too much business ex- So the next time that the flight attendant
perience in Mexico so far but what we have takes longer than youd like bringing your in-
done has been very satisfactory. We received flight meals, remember that a Mexican com-
many letters and shows of appreciation from pany based in Mexicali is now trying to sort
our work with AVIACSA, says Segura. With out the problem. n
other aviation companies it has happened that
the large airlines hire interior fitting services www.volare-eng.com
36 Negocios photos COURTESY OF GEIQ

A Home for Technology in India, China, Mexico, Poland and Russia.

Later, Turkey would be added to the list.
The project in Mexico started out in part-
With the opening of a new operations center, GEIQ nership with a technology center from the
ratified its commitment towards Mexico and makes the National Council on Science and Technology
future for engineering in Mexico look more promising. (CONACYT, for its acronym in Spanish), the
Research and Technical Assistance Center

G
eneral Electrics (GE) presence
in Mexico began in 1896. The
company opened its first manu-
facturing plant in the country in
1929. Nowadays, Mexico is one of its key mar-
kets and GE employs almost 10,000 workers
nationwide.
The groups confidence in the country
is obvious. At present, GE Mexico has the
groups largest number of plants in the world
without counting the US.
Eleven years ago, as part of GEs globaliz-
ing strategy in engineering, General Electric
Infrastructure Quertaro (GEIQ) was inaugu-
rated. The idea was to find talent wherever it
was available around the world, remembers
Vladimiro de la Mora, CEO of GEIQ, as well
as to support our businesses locally. It was
based on this strategy that GE opened centers
GE in Mexico of the State of Quertaro (Ciateq, for its acro-
nym in Spanish), and began designing steam
The company been active in the turbines. The company grew and would even-
country for 114 years. tually become a company called Advanced
Five business units of the company Turbomachinery Engineering Center (CIAT,
operate in Mexico: GE Capital, En- for its acronym in Spanish), 100% owned by
ergy Infrastructure, Technology In- GE before establishing itself as GEIQ, one of
frastructure, Home & Business solu- the most advanced centers for engineering
tions and NBC Universal. and technological development in the country,
Its workforce reaches nearly 10,000 dedicated to designing airplane turbines and
people. power generation systems.
Holds 18 manufacturing plants, eight The companys original workforce was
service centers and one engineering made up by 80 designers and engineers. To-
center. day, GEIQ spreads over 6,700 square meters
GEs revenues in Mexico represent (roughly 1.66 acres) and employs 1,300 engi-
a third of total GE revenues in Latin neers that provide engineering services for GE
America and rose in 2009 to 2.4 Energy and GE Aviation.
billion usd. In the case of the power generation industry,
the center provides requisition engineering ser-

vices as well as sales support services for gas and
steam turbines, electric and aero-derived gener-
ators and also services for alternative energies.
For the aerospace industry, GEIQ provides
engineering services in technical disciplines
such as mechanics, electrical thermodynam-
ics, electronics and software development. It is
also worthwhile mentioning its flight simulator,
unique in Mexico, which is used to test the soft-
ware developed in the engineering center itself.
Since the beginning weve maintained an
equal 50-50 balance between the engineers
dedicated to aviation and those dedicated to
energy, explains de la Mora.
Today, the main programs being developed
at GEIQ for the aviation industry are GEnx
for Boeing 787, CF34-10A for ARJ21-700 and
GP7200 for Airbus A380.
De la Mora states proudly that GEIQ is
100% Mexican: There isnt one single foreign
engineer at the center.
In order to create a group of engineers
that met the companys high standards, GEIQ
worked hand in hand with a number of both
public and private universities, as well as with
CONACYT, to offer job opportunities to Mexi-
can recipients of foreign grants who wanted to
return to Mexico. But its highest bet has been
on education in situ.
De la Mora states: Our strategy has been to
hire recently graduated talent and further de-
velop it, even if it takes time. An engineer who
has been recently hired at GEIQ spends about
30-40% of his/her first year extending his edu-
cation through in-house courses. That allows the
company to create talent based on its values and
particular requirements, in addition to achieving
a sense of solidarity and belonging towards the
company that can only flourish when employ-
ees have experienced its commitment to them
and their professional development.
The investment has paid off. GEIQ won
the National Technology Award in 2003 and
today holds the ISO 9000 certification. It is in
fact, outside the US, the largest global technol-
ogy center for GE Aviation and the second
most important technology center for GE
Energy, second only to the complex located in
India. Internally it has an annual turnover of
over 50 million usd and has created more than
500 high-level jobs over the last two years.
Social responsibility is as important an is-
sue as education at GEIQ and it is implement-
ed through volunteering programs in three
main areas: education, environment and
community. From 2001 up till now, more than
280K hours of social work have been added
up in activities ranging from supporting old
peoples homes to cleaning dams.
Time to Grow
Growth at GEIQ has been stable and constant.
And that is why one of the companys priori-
ties is the construction of a new center that al-
lows its further expansion and improvement
of working conditions for their employees.
Divided into two construction stages, with a
12 million usd investment each, the new center
will have the LEED Silver certification for its
operations and is located in a residential area
to the northeastof the city of Quertaro.
De la Mora remembers how 11 years ago
when they decided to settle there , the city was
not a strategic location for the flourishing aero-
space industry in Mexico as it is now, but that
doesnt surprise him. The city of Quertaro has
turned out to be ideal to lure talent from all cor-
ners of the country thanks to its central location,
excellent communication routes, safety and gen-
eral cleanliness, he adds.
The first construction stage of the new center
is practically finished and will allow relocating
750 employees to an area almost 6,000 square
meters long (roughly 1.48 acres) that holds all
sorts of ammenities such as football (soccer)
fields, an athletics track and a gym, all made to
boost the creativity flow. Stage two is planned to
end in the following years at the latest in 2015-
and its opening will represent the relocation of
the whole team that will reach 1,500 engineers
and will include the training center and the con-
trol laboratory where the turbine controls are
currently tested.
Mexicos Partner GEIQ
A feminine touch
As a company sensitive to gender is-
sues, GE has at a global scale the Wom-
ens Network, an association whose
goal, based on a series of strategies, is
to attract, develop and keep women in
the different business units that belong
to the group. 18% of the engineers now
working at GEIQ are women, which is
not a minor achievement if one takes
into account that on average less than
10% of graduates from engineering
studies are female. We have made ef-
forts to lure and hire female talent to
the center, because we believe diver-
sity helps creativity, states de la Mora.
The investment were making represents the
long-term commitment were making, states de
la Mora, and with time we will acquire the nec-
essary experience and then well be able to com-
pete against the parent companies in the US. De
la Mora forecasts that the aerospace industry in
the country will continue to grow and will end
up shifting from manufacturing to creating and
designing technology, a trend which is already
clearly to be observed.
I think that companies will eventually want
to have their technology close to their manufac-
turing and Mexico turns out to be ideal, thanks to
the talent we have here, in addition to other im-
portant factors such as proximity, the reliability in
the protection of copyrights and an ever growing
number of bilingual graduates to cover the mar-
ket demand, concludes de la Mora. n
38 Negocios
Tomorrows Metal
By jennifer chan
Hydro Aluminum, a company committed to innovative and efficient development of natural resources
and products that contribute to a more viable world, has three years of success in northern Mexico.
A
luminum is the fu-
ture and our future
is in aluminum, is
the slogan of Hydro,
which has been present in Mexi-
co since 2007.
Hydro is a global supplier of
aluminum and aluminum prod-
ucts, while it is active in water
and solar energy. Founded in
1905 in Norway, the company
started as a producer of energy
and over its history it has been
present in several markets in-
cluding fertilizer, ammonia
production, plastics and oil, in
addition to light metals. Sev-
eral successful companies have
emerged from Hydro, which
since the 1990s decided to focus
solely on aluminum and energy.
Today, Hydro has 19,000 em-
ployees worldwide, operations in
40 countries and is divided into
five business areas: primary met-
al, metal markets, rolled products,
extruded products and energy.
The company is present
throughout the value chain of
aluminum. With over 85 years
experience as a producer of
light metals, Hydro produces
aluminum in Brazil and Jamaica
and primary metal in Australia,
Canada, Germany, Norway and
Slovakia. It is also the market
leader in metal recycling and
provides aluminum solutions
to customers mainly from the
automotive, packaging and con-
struction sectors.
Within the area of extruded
products, Hydro has a precision
tubing unit, a global leader in
aluminum tubes and reported
profits of 366 million usd in
2009. With global presence
and a crew of 1,247 employees,
Hydros precision tubing area
is divided into business units in
Europe, North America, South
America and Asia. It has global
research and development of
products and processes in Den-
mark and Norway and focuses
on process and product develop-
ment and special alloys for the
automotive industry.
In 2006, Hydro opened a
plant in Reynosa, Tamaulipas,
marking the beginning of a new
relationship with Mexico.
The reason for coming to
Mexico was that most of our cli-
ents are installed here, says Per
Dale, of Norwegian origin and the
plant manager. In the automotive
industry, relocating manufactur-
ing processes close to where the
clients are has been a trend for a
long time.
Dale adds that while the re-
location to Mexico did not rep-
resent significant savings in staff
costs because the plant is a more
intensive operation in terms of
technology than work, the coun-
try has allowed the company
to provide proximity and bet-
ter service to its customers and,
above all, to find better skilled
labor than in other places where
Hydro is present, including some
US cities.
Almost all of our employ-
ees are Mexican and we have
found very capable people in
photo COURTESY OF hydro aluminium
the country, mainly due to the
large presence of the automotive
industry here, he says, referring
to the staff of nearly 150 workers
at the plant in Reynosa. The facts
support his statement: the plant
recently won the Innovation and
Performance Awards presented
by Hydros global corporate.
We won even when we com-
peted against company plants of
the company with much more
experience, says Dale, we have a
younger and probably less experi-
enced but enthusiastic work force.
Dale continues explaining
how the Hydro plant differs from
the archetypal companies in-
stalled in the Mexico-US border,
most of which are more inter-
ested in using intense labor force.
Using technology developed
by Hydro, we are focused on of-
fering high quality products to
Mexican companies that were
used to importing these goods,
says Dale. We also want to train
people here and have a win-win
relationship with Mexico.

Hydros plant in Reynosa cov-
ers an area of five hectares and
the state-of-the-art technology it
uses has come mostly from Den-
mark. It holds ISO/TS 16949:09
and ISO 14001:04 certifications.
To date, Reynosas plant has
meant a 40 million usd invest-
ment and it manufactures drawn
tubing (PDT), small diameter ex-
truded tube (SD_ET), standard
rods and bars and extruded
shapes, mainly for the automo-
tive industry, in which Hydros
Precision Tubing unit holds a 40%
market share in North America.
But given the actual trend of re-
placing copper in sectors beyond
the automotive industry, Hydros
future in Mexico points in many
directions.
We are in a niche market in
Mexico and North America with
products especially designed for
automotive and heating, ventila-
tion, air conditioning and refriger-
ation (HVACR) industries and we
take part of the trend of using alu-
minum instead of copper in their
products says David Benavides,
Business Development Manager
of Hydro in Mexico.
That trend started in the auto
industry in the 1970s. The rea-
son? A combination of cost and
efficiency. Aluminum has cost
advantages (it may be three to
four times cheaper than copper),
weight reduction techniques and
corrosion resistance.
We are expecting the same
trend of change in the residen-
MEXICOS PARTNER hydro aluminum
tial category, for example, not
for weight issues, obviously, but
because aluminum is cheaper,
more durable and more envi-
ronmentally friendly than other
metals, Benavides continues.
Another advantage is that alu-
minum is easier to reuse with a
lower energy investment, mak-
ing it the obvious choice in a
world increasingly geared to re-
duce environmental impact.
Mexico is a key market for the
company. Theres a large target
market in the area of specialty
extruded shapes, shares Bena-
vides. High tolerance profiles
have been imported so far but
we have the know how, a wide
range of alloys, technology and
process design that Hydro has
accumulated over years of lead-
ership in the field of metallurgy
to provide solutions to domestic
customers, he concludes.
Thus, Hydros business unit
in Mexico anticipates its growth
primarily through the HVACR
industry and specialty products.
Based on the values of creating
partnerships and cooperation,
other plans for Hydro Preci-
sion Tubing also include strong
expansion in other sectors than
the automotive industry and
new markets. China and Mexico
have emerged as markets where
Hydro will seek to strengthen its
position, while Brazil and Mexi-
co are two key points where it is
looking forward to increasing its
productive capacity. n
40 Negocios photos COURTESY OF peoles

Mexico:
an Attractive
Destination
for Mining
Investment
By mara eugenia sevilla

According to information
provided by the Mexican Mining
Chamber, between 2007 and
2012 the investment in the
Mexican mining sector will have
reached a record 21.7 billion usd.
There are various factors that
make Mexico one of the main
destinations for investment in
mining on a global scale; among
others, the fact that 70% of the
countrys territory possesses
mineral wealth.

W
ith 500 years of history in
the field of mining and a vast
untapped mineral wealth,
Mexico has become one of
the main destinations for foreign investment in
this industry.
According to Metals Economics Group
(MEG), Mexico holds the sixth place in draw-
ing global investment in mining exploration. In
2009, 15 new mines were either reactivated or
opened in the country and in 2010 the mining
industry remained the countrys fourth pro-
duction sector, contributing to 1.6% of Mexicos
Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The boom in the countrys mining, which
began seven years ago with the global upturn
in metal prices, has translated into a growing
capital investment coming from all five conti-
nents but mostly from North America, specifi-
cally Canada.
Out of more than 738 exploration projects
currently carried out by 279 companies, 70% is
undertaken with investment coming from oth-
er countries: 75% from Canada, 15% from the
US and the rest coming from countries such as
the UK, Australia and Japan, among others. In

2009, foreign investment in the sector reached
336 million usd.
In resource extraction, we believe that the in-
vestment coming from Mexican companies must
represent around 60% and the rest comes from
foreign companies, specifies Sergio Almazn,
General Director of the Mexican Mining Cham-
ber (Camimex, for its acronym in Spanish), who
states that this growing injection of capital allows
for the mining sector to be considered strategic
for the countrys economic boost.
But what is really turning Mexico into an in-
vestment paradise for the mining industry? For
Almazn, as well as for Camimex Chairman
Manuela Luvanos, the main reason lies in the
potential that the Mexican subsoil offers. 70%
of the national territory is potentially suitable
for storing important mineral deposits, points
out Luvanos. As such, the Mexican Mining
Chamber has insisted that our countrys min-
ing calling should be acknowledged.
The Canadian Experience
For Ramn Dvila, General Director of the
First Majestic Silver Corp mining company,
stemming from Canadian capital, Mexico of-
fers many attractive features.
What First Majestic sees in Mexico is sta-
bility, politically speaking as well as referring
to the great mining tradition that exists in the
country. [...] 100% of our personnel is Mexican
and that makes us very proud, explains Dvila.
We focus on producing silver and Mexico is
a great silver producer. Speaking in topographi-
cal and geographical terms, we see important
growth possibilities and that is what the com-
pany was looking for when evaluating several
countries and selecting Mexico as the only
country to operate in, for the time being.
With headquarters in Vancouver, Canada,
First Majestic Silver Corp operates three dif-
ferent mines in Mexico and plans on running
a fourth one. Almazn explains the prominent
Canadian participation in Mexico for two fun-
damental reasons: the high geological mining
potential enclosed in Mexican territory, which
is likely to be operational, and the progress in
exploration technology achieved by Canada,
which allows it to evaluate and explore mining
areas in a quick and efficient way.
Of course we have to take into account, and
this is very important, that they have developed
the financing formula for exploration, based on
the stock market, warns Almazn.
Another attraction point that the Mexican
framework for mining operation presents,
is the fact that although legislation forbids
foreign companies to obtain a concession to
carry out mineral exploration and extrac-
tion activities which is, in principle, of public
ownership it is allowed for companies consti-
tuted as Mexican to have foreign partners that
contribute up to 100% of the capital.
Positive Balance
In 2010 the balance is positive, points out Luva- Mexico turns out to be an excellent opportunity
nos. Even if the industry has had its share of stum-
bles due to the global financial crisis and Mexico
report mining industry
has dropped from fourth to sixth place in raising
foreign investment, it is expected for the mining-
metallurgic production, which in 2009 reached
9.6 billion usd, to grow 8-10% and for products to
raise their production volumes.
That forecast is based on the sectors boost
in investment in historical proportions. The
mining industry will invest 13.8 billion usd in
the country, which means that between 2007
and 2012 our industry will have invested 21.75
billion usd, a historical amount for the mining
sector, mentions Luvanos.
These investments will go to exploration
projects, new projects, extensions of min-
ing operations, investments in labor training,
equipment with leading-edge technology and,
of course, in programs that have to do with de-
veloping our communities, protecting the envi-
ronment and, above all, with safety in working
conditions, explains Luvanos.
The challenge for mining in the 21st century
is sustainability, considers Luvanos. In that sense,
the companies affiliated to Camimex are work-
ing hard to reach the goal of zero accidents. Fur-
thermore, 68 mining operations have been certi-
fied as clean industry, 18 are in the process of, and
for the past six years the sector planted 10 million
trees, which makes the mining industry the sec-
tor that has planted most trees, after the Mexican
Armed Forces and the lumber industry.
Because of all of the above, investment in
to grow hand in hand with the expansive cycle of
mining on a global scale, concludes Luvanos.. n
42 Negocios ilustration oldemar

MEXICO
AND THE
EUROPEAN
UNION:
A STRATEGIC
ALLIANCE
By Mara Cristina Rosas*

given the trade and investment opportunities offered by the Mexican

economy in the 21st century, Mexico and de European union assign a
high level of priority to their relationship, formalized 50 years ago
when Mexico opened a delegation office in brussels.

T
he European Union (EU) is
the worlds leading economic
powerhouse. With its 27 mem-
ber states and the prospect of
further additions, it offers an option for
economies like Mexicos that are seeking
to diversify their global trade and invest-
ment relationships.
The links between Mexico and what was
formerly known as the European Commu-
nity (EC) were formalized in the 1960s when
Mexico opened a delegation office in Brussels.
Subsequently, in September 1975, both par-
ties signed a cooperation agreement which
entered into force in November 1976. That
was later replaced in 1991 by the Third Gen-
eration Framework Cooperation Agreement,
whereby Mexico and the EC mutually agreed
mutually to be the most favored nation and close
cooperation was proposed for, inter alia, indus-
trial affairs, intellectual property, technology
transfer, energy and environmental protection.
That Framework Agreement was signed
while Mexico was involved in formal negotia-
tions with the US and Canada to sign the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
while the EC was discussing the Maastricht
Treaty.
For the EC, the Framework Agreement of
1991 was a means of protection against the possi-
ble adverse effects that might have been caused
by NAFTA in terms of its trade relationship with
Mexico. For Mexico, the Framework Agreement
represented an opportunity to strengthen mul-
tilateralism during a period of stagnation in the
Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotia-
tions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT).
The Framework Agreement is interesting,
on the one hand because it was the only one
accepted by the EC with a non-member state,
and on the other because Mexico had been ex-
empted from the democratic clause which is a
condition for other countries cooperation with
the EU regarding the principles and democratic
institutions and human rights.
NAFTA might have affected the presence of
certain European interests in Mexico, especially
in sectors such as chemical products, medical
components and IT equipment. For the commu-
nity members, that risk needed to be hedged.
European governments and businesses also
anticipated that a new negotiation with Mexico
could bring major benefits for European com-

panies. For the Mexicans, meanwhile, it had be-
come imperative to develop normal trade re-
lationships with members of the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), especially because the Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP) of the European
common market was considered ill equipped
to meet Mexicos needs. It was also a well
known secret that a solid economic strategy be-
tween Mexico and Europe should also include
mechanisms for high level political agreements.
With the entry into force of NAFTA, at the
European Councils Corfu Summit that took
place in 1994 celebrated for Mexicos incor-
poration into the OECD the EU proposed
and emphasized the need to make progress in
strengthening links between Mexico and the
European single market.
The first Europe-Latin America summit took
place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1999. It involved
recognition of the important regard held by Eu-
ropean member states for Latin American coun-
tries. That laid the foundations for a beneficial
dialog which has proved very important for both
parties and which set out the following guidelines:
The foundations were laid for a strate-
gic association as the core aim to con-
tribute toward shaping a more balanced
new world order.
The principles and objectives were es-
tablished which provide the framework
for the relationship, complemented by a
55 point Action Plan.
A Bi-Regional Group was created to fol-
low up on commitments made at the
summit.
Business Tips
Five months later, in Tuusula, Finland,
that group restructured the Rio de Ja-
neiro Action Plan, re-ordering the 55
original points into 11 work areas, the
so-called priority of priorities.
With the progress shown in the ne-
gotiations for a broad agreement on
free trade, cooperation and political
accord between Mexico and the EU,
which was finally signed in 2000, the
negotiation of association agreements
between the EU and MERCOSUR
countries and Chile was announced.
That would include, along the same
lines as the negotiations with Mexico,
a free trade zone, mechanisms for
political dialog and commitments for
cooperation.
44 Negocios
In retrospect, the Mexico-EU Free
Trade Agreement (TLCUEM, for its ac-
ronym in Spanish) has made it possible
to strengthen bilateral trade and invest-
ment. The EU is Mexicos second largest
trading partner after the US.
In 2008, the bilateral trade totaled al-
most 60 billion usd (222% more than in
1999); exports increased by 285% and im-
ports by 197%. Also, the EU reached a total
investment in Mexico of 77 billion usd (be-
tween 1999 and September 1999, equiva-
lent of 34% of the total FDI received.) Ac-
cording to the EU, in 2007, Mexican invest-
ments totaled 15.8 billion usd.
In terms of investments, the TLCUEM
incorporates the review of the legal
framework and the investment climate in
order to achieve a progressive liberaliza-
tion. Currently, Mexico has 15 agreements
in place for the reciprocal protection of
investments with 16 of the 27 EU member
states and it is in the process of updating
and opening up new negotiations with the
other member states.
Mexico has even expressed its interest
in negotiating a single chapter on invest-
Mexico understands
the relevance of the
European Union as
a global actor and
values its important
role in the face of the
economic challenges
facing the world.
ments within the TLCUEM which would
be ambitious, modern and include the ar-
eas covered in the reciprocal protection of
investment agreements. The Lisbon Treaty
strengthens the role of the European Parlia-
ment and broadens the EUs competences
in the negotiations of services, intellectual
property and foreign investment, as well as
proposing new opportunities for Mexico.
Given TLCUEMs effectiveness, during
the 5th EU-Mexico Summit that took place
in Cantabria, Santander, Spain, in May 2010,
the first 10 years of said agreement was ap-
praised and a Joint Executive Strategic As-
illustration oldemar
sociation Plan was approved that would
provide for a deeper relationship, making
progress in areas such as global agreement
(which established the search for political
consensus for issues such as climate change
and other top priorities), dialog on security,
(especially in regard to public security and
justice), dialog on human rights (which is one
of the issues in which the EU is a world lead-
er and which has made it possible to achieve
key cooperation mechanisms with Mexico)
and the macroeconomic dialog (which has
been given top priority due to the recent
global financial recession).
Another area of mutual interest for Mex-
ico and the EU is the search of consensus
to ensure that OECDs Doha Development
Round reaches a satisfactory conclusion. Yet
another key topic is the EUs support for Lat-
in American integration, given that from its
own experience, the community members
find that route enables them to solve numer-
ous challenges facing their countries.
The EU considers that, through regional
integration, Latin American countries can
promote economic development and com-
petitiveness.

As that work continues, Mexico and the
EU, through TLCUEM, have made progress
in three important areas:
The Integral Support Program for
SMEs (PIAPYME) which began in 2004
and concluded in 2009. It provided
technical assistance to 120 projects
(around 800 SMEs in different sectors)
through the EU-Mexico Business Cen-
ter (CEMUE) and it allowed business
associations in Mexico to find out more
about the opportunities of Europes
single market as an alternative destina-
tion for their business activities and as a
source of investment.
The EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement
Facilitation Project (PROTLCUEM).
This project seeks to strengthen the in-
stitutional capacities of government enti-
ties and extended its implementation to
2011, increasing its financing to 3 million
euros. It now includes Mexicos Sani-
tary Risk Protection Agency (Cofepris);
National Fishing Commission (Conap-
esca), Head Customs Office; Ministry
of Economys Regulations Department;
National Food Protection Agency (Se-
nasic); Ministry of Economys Foreign
Investment Department; Federal Com-
petition Commission (CFC); Consumer
Protection Agency (Profeco) and Nation-
al Intellectual Property Institute (IMPI).
Development of a new cooperation
project 2010-2013. That is being led by
business tips
ProMxico and includes, inter alia,
trade facilitation and support for
Mexican SMEs.
Mexico understands the relevance of
the EU as a global actor and values its im-
portant role in the face of the economic
challenges facing the world. Therefore,
it assigns a high level of priority to its
relationship with the EU which is duly
reciprocated given the trade and invest-
ment opportunities offered by the Mexi-
can economy in the 21st century. n
*Professor and researcher in the Political and
Social Sciences Faculty, National Autonomous
University of Mexico (UNAM).
46 Negocios infographic oldemar

Negocios figures
Ten Years of Commerce
Between Mexico and the European Union

17,288.37

14,554.08
10,286.9
2010*

11,008.82 11,625.50

9,143.81

6,216.36 6,824.58
5,743.04 5,418.70 5,629.80

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Total Mexican Exports to the EU in ten years 103,740.04 million USD

27,836.64
27,097.63 FRANCE
is the
sixth
largest
buyer of
Mexican
products
in the
12,637.45 11,574.61 European
Union

5,976.44 4,805.49
3,649.99
1,984.12
776.95
Spain Germany Netherlands UK Belgium Italy Portugal Denmark

00 1,503.00 1,543.91 439.04 869.76 226.96 374.55 221.99 194.33 44.68

01 1,270.69 1,504.06 508.10 672.91 317.78 372.63 239.67 148.74 44.38
02 1,393.74 1,159.13 796.60 664.03 482.37 309.96 195.56 140.82 36.97
03 1,512.43 1,715.22 700.67 733.50 343.81 336.66 276.10 186.60 44.20
04 2,026.91 1,689.13 606.38 840.20 442.25 334.78 235.45 153.69 47.82
05 2,954.10 2,289.42 801.38 1,188.25 534.39 372.70 194.71 269.58 71.15
06 3,270.12 2,972.61 1,326.41 924.88 686.84 555.89 266.68 281.66 100.39
07 3,689.80 4,103.65 1,905.41 1,562.68 840.25 694.84 481.38 276.03 125.96
08 4,232.90 5,008.16 2,488.30 1,749. 788.84 524.92 587.18 125.83 97.02
09 2,507.83 3,210.16 1,695.42 1,243.14 698.36 495.65 516.44 34.07 64.70
10* 2,736.11 2,641.20 1,369.74 1,125.98 614.58 432.90 434.83 172.75 99.68

* From January to September 2010

 39,183.21

33,822.18

28,954.18
2010*
29,012.13

39,183.21
25,981.54

21,792.90

18,644.61
17,136.27
16,841.28
15,328.63

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Total Mexican Imports from the EU in ten years 273,922.74 million USD
FRANCE
92,612.71 is the
fourth
largest
exporter
from the
European
Union to
36,342.69 Mexico

31,298.78
26,272.68
18,957.54
16,568.64
7,551.50 2,851.28 2,689.93

Germany Italy Spain UK Netherlands Belgium Denmark Portugal

00 5,758.42 1,849.35 1,430.01 1,466.62 1,091.25 363.09 465.56 142.05 51.42

01 6,079.61 2,100.29 1,827.40 1,576.99 1,344.00 470.94 630.49 169.21 100.73
02 6,065.79 2,171.07 2,223.87 1,806.81 1,349.80 546.59 556.87 177.39 94.29
03 6,218.23 2,473.92 2,287.97 2,015.43 1,242.21 555.62 572.94 198.78 126.48
04 7,143.63 2,817.07 2,852.57 2,395.24 1,458.19 700.69 715.10 201.59 250.05
05 8,670.43 3,498.24 3,324.59 2,564.59 1,866.10 924.59 838.75 219.98 305.42
06 9,437.04 4,108.55 3,638.17 2,661.54 2,140.32 1,546.77 804.94 271.22 344.52
07 10,687.75 5,542.43 3,830.48 3,097.84 2,294.32 2,465.79 760.65 320.57 324.51
08 12,605.73 5,219.29 4,055.84 3,510.96 2,595.52 4,183.57 884.44 369.32 438.99
09 9,727.32 3,146.74 3,004.04 2,502.47 1,837.82 2,170.94 612.60 371.62 296.57
10* 10,218.76 3,415.74 2,823.84 2,674.19 1,738.00 2,640.05 709.16 409.55 356.96

Source: Banco de Mxico, values in million USD

48 Negocios infographic oldemar

Negocios figures
France in Mexico
France is the fifth largest investor from
the European Union in Mexico.

Germany
193.2
millon USD
UK
40.8 a
millon USD a Netherlands 6,956.0
c
b b Luxembourg 104.9
France
c Belgium 27.3
Spain
960
millon USD
84
millon USD

Italy
11.5
millon USD

Where are the

French companies?
Major destinations for French investment in Mexico during 2010

69.8
millon USD
8.7
millon
USD 3.8 3
millon USD millon USD

MEXICO CITY NUEVO LEN JALISCO TAMAULIPAS

What do French companies do?

French investment in Mexico, by sector (million USD)

38.7 1
47.1 Manufacturing Financial
Commerce industry Services

Source: General Direction of Foreign Investment, Ministry of Economy, data fromJanuary to September 2010
50 Negocios
Mexique: Ce pays que
vous pensiez connatre...
Un terrain fertile pour les affaires
La richesse du Mexique ne se limite pas sa
diversit culturelle et naturelle ; il dispose
galement dun vaste territoire, de 1 964 375
km. Si nous ajoutons les droits maritimes
disponibles pour lexploration et lexploita-
tion (zone conomique exclusive), nous attei-
gnons une surface totale de 5 144 295 km,
ce qui fait du Mexique un pays disposant de
lune des plus grandes surfaces territoriales
au monde. Il est dailleurs plac sur lhmis-
phre occidental, composant lAmrique du
Nord avec le Canada et les tats-Unis et ap-
partenant la zone de libre change la plus
importante au monde: plus de 420 millions
dhabitants dont la production de biens et
de services atteint une valeur suprieure
aux 13 000 milliards de dollars. Au sud, le
Mexique partage sa frontire avec le Guate-
mala et le Belize, qui constituent ses portes
dentre sur lAmrique centrale et du sud.
Le Mexique fait galement partie de la zone
de lAmrique Latine avec ce bloc de pays qui
partagent des liens culturels troits et des al-
liances commerciales en croissance.
Le Mexique est proche. Si nous consid-
rons les vols directs, ce pays se trouve seu-
lement huit heures de distance de lEurope
et de ses occasions daffaires qui reprsen-
tent 459 millions dhabitants. Il se situe 12
heures davion du Japon, la troisime cono-
mie au monde (en raison de son PNB et de
son pouvoir dachat); 16 heures de Beijing,
la capitale la plus peuple au monde, dont le
revenu moyen par habitant atteint les 5 000
dollars et 15 heures du Moyen-Orient, o
quelques villes, par exemple Duba, nces-
sitent de plus en plus de produits de qualit
pour leurs industries en expansion.
Par rapport lAmrique Latine, le Mexique
se situe neuf heures de lArgentine, dont le re-
venu annuel moyen par habitant est de 6 600
dollars; huit heures du Chili, dont le revenu
par habitant est le plus lev de lAmrique La-
tine; et neuf heures du Brsil avec lequel notre
pays a dj cr des liens commerciaux et finan-
ciers importants par le biais dun accord de coo-
pration conomique.
Biodiversit
Le Mexique est aussi vaste en ce qui
concerne sa richesse naturelle. Il figure par-
mi les douze pays ayant la plus grande diver-
sit biologique au monde, occupant le qua-
trime rang: ce pays offre un habitat 10 %
de toutes les espces animales et vgtales de
la plante. Afin de prserver cette richesse,
le Mexique encourage des programmes de
soutien au dveloppement durable tel que
Prorbol; par son intermdiaire, le Mexique
participera lAnne Internationale de la Fo-
rt en 2011. Ax sur les municipalits les plus notre gouvernement a adopt plusieurs po-
dmunies, ce programme cherche encou-
rager le dveloppement forestier en semant
280 millions darbres, ce qui reprsente plus
dun quart des objectifs tablis par les Na-
tions Unies au niveau international.
De mme, le Mexique a ratifi des conven-
tions et des accords internationaux visant
protger lenvironnement. ce chapitre, le
gouvernement actuel a propos des objectifs
environnementaux ambitieux tels quaug-
menter de 24 % le traitement des eaux rsi-
duelles, dans un premier temps, soit de 36 %
en 2006 60 % en 2012. Par ailleurs, des pro-
jets dnergies renouvelables et alternatives
sont fortement encourags ainsi que ceux
visant la rcupration de mthane et de CO2.
Maturit Politique
Le Mexique traverse actuellement un mo-
ment de maturit politique rsultant de sa
illustration
photooldemar
archive
transition vers une dmocratie qui garantit
lindpendance des trois pouvoirs constitu-
tionnels: le Pouvoir Excutif (le prsident du
Mexique), le Pouvoir Lgislatif (les dputs
et les snateurs) et le Pouvoir Judiciaire (la
Cour Suprme de la Nation). Par ailleurs, les
lections sont organises par un organisme
indpendant du gouvernement.
La vie politique au Mexique est de plus
en plus plurielle et concurrentielle, ce qui
se manifeste par la prsence dune diversit
idologique au plan politique, la libre expres-
sion et la libert citoyenne.
La Constitution Mexicaine garantie gale-
ment la protection de linvestissement, de la s-
curit et de la proprit industrielle et prive.
Le climat des affaires
Il est possible de faire des affaires rentables
au Mexique. Pendant la dernire dcennie,
litiques publiques qui ont permis de consoli-
der sa stabilit macroconomique.
Il existe un Fonds National dInfrastruc-
tures qui a investi, entre 2008 et 2012, un
montant suprieur 25 milliards de dollars
dans le dveloppement dinfrastructures.
Par ailleurs, le Programme de Soutien
lconomie vise encourager la producti-
vit par lintermdiaire de diverses mesures
axes sur lactivit conomique, linvestisse-
ment et lemploi.
De leur ct, les autorits financires
continuent grer convenablement les fi-
nances publiques.
Grce la loi pour linvestissement tranger
du Mexique, qui permet de recevoir jusqu
100% dinvestissements trangers, il a t pos-
sible dattirer autant de diffrentes entreprises
que de processus technologiques, ce qui aide le
Mexique se positionner.

Un pays daccords
et de traits commerciaux
Outre sa situation gopolitique stratgique,
le Mexique dispose dun solide rseau de
traits internationaux qui en font une des
destinations les plus attirantes et sres pour
les investissements trangers.
Le Mexique est le deuxime pays en
termes des signatures daccords de libre
change : 234 accords bilatraux et 122 ac-
cords multilatraux. Il est galement le seul
pays avoir actuellement tabli des relations
commerciales privilgies avec les deux mar-
chs les plus importants au monde : lAm-
rique du Nord et lUnion Europenne.
Au total, le Mexique entretient des re-
lations avec 22 pays par le biais daccords
commerciaux, ce qui a permis daugmenter
la participation du Mexique au monde des
affaires internationales, au cours des 15 der-
nires annes. Par ailleurs, le gouvernement
actuel (2007-2012) a amend laccord de libre
change sign avec lUnion Europenne afin
de tenir compte de lentre de la Roumanie
et de la Bulgarie cette zone conomique.
Le Mexique a galement renforc ses liens
commerciaux avec le Japon, grce un ac-
cord dassociation conomique visant aug-
menter la coopration entre les petites et les
moyennes entreprises.
Par ailleurs, le Mexique a accru ses efforts
pour diversifier les marchs pour la distribu-
tion de ses produits et ses services. Pour ce
faire, il a tabli des accords de libre change,
2011 le mexique vit en france
de coopration et dassociation conomique
avantageux avec plusieurs conomies en Eu-
rope, en Asie, et en Amrique Latine. Dans
cette dernire rgion, le Mexique a conclu
des Accords de Libre change (AL) avec le
Honduras, le Salvador, le Guatemala, le Cos-
ta Rica, la Colombie, la Bolivie, le Chili, le Ni-
caragua et lUruguay; et a sign des accords
de coopration conomique avec dautres
pays tels que le Brsil, lArgentine, le Prou,
le Paraguay et Cuba.
Lavenir du pays sannonce prometteur:
le Mexique a en effet mis en place des pro-
grammes qui se sont avrs avantageux pour la
simplification commerciale et grce auxquels
les produits exonrs de droits de douane pas-
seront de 20% en 2008 65% en 2013. n
 52 Negocios

nergies renouvelables

L
e rchauffement climatique et les cots levs daccs aux
combustibles fossiles ont encourag la volont de dvelop-
per des sources dnergie qui soient propres et renouve-
lables, comme par exemple les nergies hydrolectrique,
solaire, olienne, gothermique, biocombustible et biomasse.
A lheure actuelle, les nergies renouvelables reprsentent 5,9%
du total de la capacit de production lectrique mondiale (280 GW).
Selon lorganisation New Energy Finance (Global Futures 2008), les
investissements dans cette industrie devraient atteindre 450 milliards
de dollars par an partir de lanne 2012, 600 milliards de dollars en
2020 et maintenir ces niveaux jusquen 2030.
Le Mexique dispose dun fort potentiel pour le dveloppement de
cette industrie, du fait que celle-ci reprsente, dune part, une grande
opportunit pour linvestissement et le dveloppement de projets de
photo pablo csar prez gonzlez

ce type dnergies, et dautre part, il sagit galement dune excellente

plateforme pour la cration demplois via la fabrication et la produc-
tion de composants ncessaires lessor de celles-ci.
Selon le National Renewable Energy Laboratory des Etats-Unis,
le potentiel du Mexique en matire dnergie olienne est suprieur
40.000 MW (actuellement il existe une capacit installe de 185
MW). Quant lnergie solaire, on estime que 90% du territoire pr-
sente un ensoleillement moyen quotidien de 5 KWh par mtre carr,
ce qui est considr comme lun des meilleurs taux au niveau inter-
national.

Industrie automobile

H
istoriquement, lindustrie automobile a t un secteur stra-
tgique pour le dveloppement du Mexique. Sa participa-
tion dans lconomie nationale la place au deuxime rang
des industries les plus importantes du pays. Disposant dune
vaste infrastructure et de plus de mille entreprises de pices dtaches, le
secteur automobile mexicain apparat comme le dixime constructeur
de vhicules dans le monde et comme une plateforme denvergure pour
la fabrication de produits mondiaux dots des standards de qualit et de
scurit les plus levs.
Le secteur automobile mexicain sadresse aussi bien au march de lin-
vestissement qu celui de lexportation. Les principaux vhicules fabriqus
au Mexique pour linternational sont: Lincoln MKZ, Volkswagen Beetle, Nis-
san Tiida, Honda CR-V, Dodge Journey et BMW X5 blind. Les machines
de prcision, les moules pour linjection de plastique, la fonte daluminium,
lacier modulaire, la forge froide et chaude, ainsi que lestampage de plaques,
reprsentent une fentre dopportunit pour le secteur. Le Mexique a un
bassin de talents prometteurs offrir lindustrie; les universits et autres
tablissements techniques et denseignement suprieur ont conu des pro-
grammes dans le but de prparer des professionnels hautement qualifis.
Le cabinet de consultants CSM Auto prvoit que la construction dau-
photo archive

tomobiles atteindra 3,1 millions dunits au Mexique en 2013, soit le double

du niveau produit en 2008. Par ailleurs, une tude du cabinet dexpertise
comptable KPMG positionne le Mexique la premire place des pays pour
la confection de pices dtaches.
 2011 le mexique vit en france

Agriculture et alimentation

L
e Mexique se distingue dans le monde entier pour tre un ex-
portateur de produits agricoles et alimentaires. Cette industrie
stratgique comprend les secteurs de lagriculture, la sylvicul-
ture, llevage, lapiculture, la chasse, la pche, la biotechnolo-
gie, les boissons (alcoolises et non alcoolises), le tabac, les sucreries, les
snacks et lemballage. Lagriculture reprsente 4 % du PIB mexicain et
emploie environ 16 % de la population active.
Limportance du Mexique en matire agricole peut se mesurer
laune de sa position mondiale dans la culture du caf, du sucre, du mas
et de lorange. Le pays se place parmi les exportateurs mondiaux les plus
importants en ce qui concerne les tomates, les avocats, les citrons, le caf
organique et lalos, ainsi que le concombre et les piments forts.
Grce aux dimensions de son territoire, la diversit de ses climats et
photo archive

la proximit gographique de lun des plus grand marchs du monde,

les E.U., le Mexique jouit dune position stratgique en termes dexporta-
tions agricoles.

Lindustrie arospatiale

A
u Mexique, lindustrie arospatiale connat une phase dascen-
sion. Il existent 190 entreprises, la plupart trangres, qui offrent
des emplois plus de 20 000 travailleurs.
Il existe une migration importante des entreprises de trans-
formation tasuniennes la zone frontalire au sud, principalement dans
les tats de la Basse-Californie et du Sonora, mais aussi du Nuevo Len et
du Coahuila. Cette migration est le rsultat autant de lexpertise du Mexique
dans les secteurs automobile et lectrique-lectronique, que des avantages
lis aux cots de la main duvre.
Nonobstant, cette situation sest transforme au cours des annes. Entre-
prises comme General Electric et Honeywell (tats-Unis) et le Groupe Sa-
fran (France), ont investi dans des centres dingnierie et de dessin uniques
dans leur genre. A deux heures et demie au nord-ouest de Mexico, la ville de
Quertaro, accueille deux btiments industriels de Bombardier, le construc-
teur canadien, qui abritent des chanes o sassemblent harnais lectriques
et morceaux de fuselages Bombardier la annonc en mai 2008 que les l-
photo courtesy of goodrich

ments de son rvolutionnaire biracteur en fibre de carbone, le Learjet 85,

seront construits dans cet tat. Le groupe franais Safran, premier industriel
de laronautique au Mexique avec 3.800 employs, a par ailleurs inaugur
en mai dernier Quertaro sa sixime usine, Sames, charge dassurer la
maintenance de racteurs. General Electric, qui dispose dj dun bureau
dtude et de conception de pices de 1.000 ingnieurs, prvoit 600 em-
bauches supplmentaires. LEspagnol Aernnova, sous-traitant de Boeing,
dAirbus et dEmbraer, vient galement dinvestir 85 millions de dollars.
54 Negocios
LAnne du Mexique en France
D
e janvier dcembre 2011, le pu-
blic franais pourra dcouvrir
notre pays au travers dun pro-
gramme de plus de 200 manifes-
tations tant culturelles quducatives, cono-
miques et universitaires.
Pendant la priode de prparation de
ce programme nous avons pu mesurer la
curiosit suscite par le Mexique chez nos
partenaires franais dans tous les domaines:
cinema, literatture, art contemporain, sant,
education, conomieUne curiosit qui va
bien au del de certains clichs et des d-
pches dactualit et qui nous invite parler
du Mexique diffremment.
Nous avons voulu satisfaire cette curiosit
et avec nos partenaires franais, nous souhai-
tons promouvoir un mexique jeune, moderne,
dynamique loin des strotypes, loin de ce
mexique que lon croit connatre. Cest notre
engagement, notre compromiso pour utiliser
ce terme mexicain particulrement explicite.
La question nous est dailleurs souvent
pose: quelle image du mexique voulez-
vous promouvoir en 2011? La rponse vous
est donne par les deux vnements que
nous avons choisis pour ouvrir notre pro-
grammelinauguration dune exposition
consacre aux masques funraires mayas le
matin. Une nuit lectronique au Grand Pa-
lais, le soir. Tradition et modernit. Heritage
et trangression.
Ds le 25 fvrier 2011, nous voulons montrer
aux franais un mexique mconnu qui les sur-
prenne. Le saviez-vous? Murcof, lun des DJ les
plus apprcis en Europe est mexicain.
photos
photo archive
archive
Quoi de plus explicite que de dbuter notre
anne par cet immense concert pendant lequel
les meilleurs DJs mexicains rencontreront le
public parisien. Une fte place sous le signe
de la musique lectronique, de la crativit vi-
suelle et musicale, de la jeunesse.
De quoi provoquer chez les parisiens ce
choc quun jeune cooprant franais Jean-Ma-
rie Gustave le Clzio declarait avoir reu en
arrivant Mexico. Un cho aux paroles dun
autre prix nobel de literature, mexicain cette
fois-ci, Octavio Paz, qui dclarait combien son
sjour en France avait transform sa manire
de regarder et dcrire.
Souhaitons que cette Anne du Mexique
en France transforme le regard des franais
sur le Mexique car il est temps de regarder le
Mexique diffremment. n

le Mexique sur tout le
territoire franais,
dans toutes ses
dimensions, tous ses
accents, toutes ses
couleurs
Janvier louvrira avec ses saveurs dans
Lafayette Gourmet, avec lintelligence et
le rve une plateforme virtuelle et un
concours scolaire dans tout le systme
ducatif
Mais le premier feu dartifice mexi-
cain tonnant, cratif, clatant et myst-
rieux nous le vivrons fin fvrier et dbut
mars 2011 avec:
Les statues gantes de Diego Rivelino,
vocatrices des mystres prcolom-
biens qui chemineront sur la Seine
jusquau pont Alexandre III.
Une fiesta lectronique mexicaine
au centre de Paris.
Une exposition de masques de jade
mayas.
Veracruz, les cultures anciennes du
Golfe du Mexique St Romain-en-Gal,
prs de Lyon.
Mexico au festival de cinma Tra-
velling de Rennes.
Diego Rivera cubiste la Galerie des
Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux.
2011 le mexique vit en france
Quelques centaines de manifestations, Des colloques et des sminaires sur
jusquen dcembre 2011, montreront un le dveloppement durable (en liaison
Mexique tonnant et cratif, savant, en- notamment avec le thme de la m-
treprenant, festif et divers: gapole), sur diffrentes thmatiques
De la musique baroque (les Chemins mdicales et scientifiques, sur linno-
du baroque en septembre) la cra- vation, sur le thme de la frontire et
tion la plus contemporaine, en passant de lmigration, sur les problmatiques
par la richesse des talents lyriques et mexicaines luvre en ce dbut de
les arts populaires (avec le Festival Rio XXIme sicle.
Loco Toulouse, un dfil dalebrijes et Une participation exceptionnelle au
une prsence colore dans les festivals Salon aronautique du Bourget.
de lt). Une mise lhonneur du Mexique
Avec une prsentation de la trs riche dans de nombreuses manifestations
scne mexicaine dart contemporain littraires, autour de monstres sa-
au Muse dArt moderne de la Ville de crs comme Octavio Paz, Carlos
Paris, au mois de Mai. Fuentes ou Jos Emilio Pacheco,
La prsentation pour la premire fois autour des femmes crivains, du
en Europe du grand peintre Rufino roman noir, de la posie en langue
Tamayo (au Petit Palais en septembre). amrindienne.
Une prsence exceptionnelle aux Ren- Une prsence mexicaine trs visible et
contres de la Photographie dArles en trs vivante dans quasiment tous les
Juillet. festivals de cinma.
Des expositions faisant date au Muse Une place de choix rserve la jeu-
de lOrangerie (Diego et Frida) et au nesse et lintelligence au Salon de
Muse dOrsay (Sous le Volcan) fin lEducation comme au Salon du Livre
septembre. de Jeunesse Montreuil au mois de
Une prsentation/rflexion autour de novembre.
la mgalopole et de la cration archi- Et, par-dessus tout a, un ocan de
tecturale mexicaine contemporaine saveurs et de dcouvertes, avec une
( la Cit de lArchitecture et du Patri- prsence trs vive de la gastronomie et
moine et au Pavillon de lArsenal). du tourisme.
56 Negocios
LE MEXIQUE ET LUNION EUROPENNE:
UNE ASSOCIATION
STRATGIQUE
L
Union Europenne est la premire
puissance conomique mondiale.
Avec 27 tats membres et la pers-
pective dun nouvel largissement,
elle se prsente comme une option pour les
conomies telles que le Mexique, qui cher-
chent diversifier ses relations commerciales
et dinvestissement dans le monde.
Les liens entre le Mexique et la Commu-
naut Europenne ont t officialiss dans
les annes 60, lorsque le Mexique a ouvert
une dlgation Bruxelles. Plus tard, en sep-
tembre 1975, les deux parties signrent un
accord de coopration qui entra en vigueur en
Novembre 1976 et qui sera remplac en 1991
par lAccord-cadre de Troisime Gnration,
par lequel le Mexique et la Communaut Eu-
ropenne saccordaient mutuellement le statut
de nation plus favorise, et proposaient une in-
tense coopration dans des domaines tels que,
lindustrie, la proprit intellectuelle, le trans-
fert de technologies, lnergie et la protection
de lenvironnement, entre autres choses.
Cet Accord-cadre fut sign un moment
o le Mexique menait des ngociations for-
melles avec les tats-Unis et le Canada en vue
de la signature de lAccord de Libre-change
Nord-Amricain (ALENA), alors que la Com-
munaut Europenne tait en discutions pour
ladoption du trait de Maastricht.
par Mara Cristina Rosas*
Pour la Communaut europenne, lAccord-
cadre de 1991 tait une forme de protection contre
dventuels effets indsirables que pourrait gn-
rer lALENA dans ses relations commerciales
avec le Mexique. Pour le Mexique, lAccord-cadre
a t loccasion de renforcer le multilatralisme
un moment o lUruguay Round des ngociations
commerciales multilatrales de lAccord Gnral
sur les Tarifs Douaniers et le Commerce (GATT)
tait au point mort.
Le point intressant de lAccord-cadre est,
dune part, quil fut le seul accord accept par la
Communaut Europenne avec un pays non-
membre, dautre part, que le Mexique fut exemp-
t de la clause dmocratique qui conditionne la
coopration de lUE avec les pays trangers eu
gards aux principes et institutions dmocra-
tiques et aux droits de lhomme.
LALENA aurait pu avoir une influence n-
gative sur la prsence de certains intrts eu-
ropens au Mexique, en particulier dans des
domaines tels que les produits chimiques, les
composs mdicaux, les quipements informa-
tiques et les tlcommunications. Pour les par-
tenaires communautaires, il tait important
dviter ce risque.
En outre, la communaut des affaires et les
gouvernements europens estimaient que de
nouvelles ngociations avec le Mexique pour-
raient gnrer dimportants bnfices pour les
ilustration oldemar
entreprises de ces pays. Quant aux Mexicains,
le dveloppement daccords commerciaux
normaux avec les membres de lOrganisa-
tion de Coopration et de Dveloppement co-
nomiques (OCDE), tait devenu un besoin im-
prieux, surtout parce que le Systme Gnra-
lis de Prfrences (SGP) du March commun
europen tait considr comme inadquat
aux besoins du Mexique. Ctait galement un
secret de polichinelle quune solide stratgie
dans le domaine conomique entre le Mexique
et lUnion europenne, devrait galement
compter sur des mcanismes de concertation
politique de haut niveau.
Ds lentre en vigueur de lALENA, lUnion
europenne a dmontr lors du sommet du
Conseil Europen de Corfou en 1994, quelle se
flicitait de ladhsion du Mexique lOCDE et
a soulign quil tait ncessaire davancer dans
lapprofondissement des liens entre les mexi-
cains et le March Commun Europen.
En 1999, se tint Rio de Janeiro, au Brsil,
le premier sommet Euro-Latino-Amricain,
qui constitua une reconnaissance de limpor-
tance des nations latino-amricaines pour les
membres de lUnion europenne. Au cours de
celui-ci, les bases dun dialogue fructueux fu-
rent jetes, ce qui savra dune grande impor-
tance pour les deux parties, et qui est naquit
des lignes directrices suivantes:

Les bases furent jetes pour parvenir un
eassociation stratgique comme principal
objectif, pour contribuer configurer un nou-
vel ordre mondial de meilleur quilibre.
Les principes et les objectifs qui encadrent
la relation furent tablis et complts par un
plan daction en 55 points.
Un groupe bi-rgional charg du suivi des en-
gagements du sommet fut cr.
Cinq mois plus tard, Tuusula, en Finlande,
ce groupe restructura le Plan daction de Rio
de Janeiro, en rarrangeant les 55 points dori-
gine en 11 domaines dactivit, les dites prio-
rit des priorits.
Compte tenu des progrs montr dans les
ngociations pour un ample accord de libre-
change, la coopration et la concertation
politique entre le Mexique et lUnion euro-
penne, lequel a finalement t sign en lan
2000, la ngociation daccords de partenariat
de la Communaut europenne avec les pays
du March Commun du Sud (MERCOSUR)
et le Chili fut annonc, qui incluraient, comme
il avait t ngoci pour le Mexique, une zone
de libre-change, un mcanisme de dialogue
politique et des engagements en matire de
coopration.
Rtrospectivement, le Trait de libre-
change, de coopration politique et de concer-
tation entre le Mexique et lUnion europenne
(ALE UE-M) a permis le renforcement du
commerce et des investissements bilatraux.
LUnion europenne est le second partenaire
commercial du Mexique, tant seulement d-
passe par les tats-Unis.
En 2008, les changes bilatraux ont tota-
liss prs de 60 milliards de dollars (222% de
plus quen 1999) les exportations ont augments
de 285% et les importations de 197%. En outre,
la Communaut europenne a cumul 77 mil-
liards de dollars dinvestissement au Mexique
(entre 1999 et Septembre 2009, quivalent
34% du total des IDE reus). Selon lUnion euro-
penne, en 2007, les investissements mexicains
cumuls se montait 15,8 milliards de dollars.
Dans le domaine de linvestissement, lALE
UE-M prvoit la rvision du cadre juridique et
du climat dinvestissement en vue de parvenir
une libralisation progressive. A ce jour, le
Mexique possde 15 accords en vigueur pour la
protection rciproque des investissements avec
16 des 27 tats membres de la Communaut eu-
ropenne, et est en procdure de concrtisation
dactualisations et de nouvelles ngociations,
avec les partenaires communautaires restants.
Le Mexique a mme exprim son intrt
ngocier un chapitre unique en matire dinves-
tissements sous lALE UE-M, qui soit ambitieux,
moderne et qui comprenne les rgles des ac-
cords pour la protection rciproque des investis-
sements. Le Trait de Lisbonne renforce le rle
du Parlement europen et tend les pouvoirs de
lUnion europenne en matire de ngociations
sur les services, la proprit intellectuelle et les
investissements trangers et ouvre de nouvelles
perspectives pour le Mexique.
tant donn que lALE UE-M a fonctionn
correctement, le Ve Sommet entre le Mexique
et lUnion europenne qui sest tenu Santander
dans la province de Cantabrie, Espagne, en mai
2010, a permis dvaluer les 10 premires annes
de laccord de commerce, politique et de coop-
ration et dapprouver le Plan Excutif Commun
de Partenariat Stratgique qui permettra dap-
profondir les relations bilatrales, en cherchant
progresser dans des domaines tels que laccord
global (qui tablit la recherche dun consensus
politique sur des questions telles que les change-
ments climatiques et dautres points dextrme
importance), le dialogue sur la scurit, et tout
particulirement en matire de scurit publique
et dapplication de la justice, le dialogue sur les
droits de lhomme (qui est lune des questions
sur lesquelles lUnion europenne dtient un lea-
dership mondial, et qui a permis de concrtiser
dimportants mcanismes de coopration avec
le Mexique), et le dialogue macro-conomique
(celui-ci se rvlant de la plus grande importance
du fait du rcent ralentissement conomique in-
ternational).
Un autre sujet dintrt commun, autour du-
quel le Mexique et la Communaut europenne
convergent, est la recherche de consensus pour
obtenir que le Cycle de Doha de lOrganisation
Mondiale du Commerce (OMC) se concrtise. Un
autre sujet non moins intressant est le soutien de
lUnion europenne lintgration latino-amri-
caine, du fait que, de par leur propre exprience,
les membres de la communaut ont pu constater
quil est possible de rsoudre de nombreux d-
fis auxquels font face ces pays, de cette manire.
LUnion europenne fait valoir que, grce lint-
gration rgionale, les pays latino-amricains pour-
raient fomenter son dveloppement conomique
et sa comptitivit.
Dici l, le Mexique et lUnion europenne,
grce lALE UE-M ont fait des progrs sur trois
grandes initiatives:
Le Programme intgr dappui aux petites
et moyennes entreprises (PIAPYME) qui
2011 le mexique vit en france
a commenc en 2004 et sest achev en
2009. Il a fourni une assistance technique
120 projets (environ 800 PME de di-
verses branches) par le biais du Centre
pour le dveloppement des entreprises
Mexique-Union europenne (CEMUE) et
a permis la communaut des hommes
daffaires mexicains davoir une meilleure
connaissance des possibilits offertes par
le march commun europen en tant que
destination alternative pour les activits
commerciales et comme sources dinves-
tissements.
Le Projet de facilitation du Trait de
Libre Commerce entre le Mexique et
lUnion Europenne (PROTLCUEM). Ce
projet vise renforcer les capacits institu-
tionnelles dentits gouvernementales. Son
excution t prolonge jusquen 2011, et
son financement augment de trois mil-
lions deuros. Il comprend maintenant la
Commission Fdrale pour la Protection
des Risques Sanitaires (COFEPRIS) et la
Commission Nationale dAquaculture et de
la Pche (CONAPESCA) ainsi que lAdmi-
nistration Gnrale des Douanes, la Direc-
tion Gnrale des Normes du Ministre de
lconomie, le Service National de Sant,
Innocuit et Qualit Agro-alimentaire
(SENASICA), la Direction Gnrale des
Investissement tranger du Ministre de
lconomie, la Commission Fdrale de la
Concurrence (CFC), le Conseil Fdral de
Dfense du Consommateur (PROFECO)
et lInstitut Mexicain de la Proprit Intel-
lectuelle (IMPI).
Dveloppement dun nouveau projet de
coopration 2010-2013. Il est anim par
ProMxico et comprend, entre autres, des
actions pour faciliter le commerce et le sou-
tien aux petites et moyennes entreprises
mexicaines.
Le Mexique comprend le poids de lUnion
europenne en tant quacteur mondial,
et mesure son importance face aux d-
fis conomiques auxquels le monde est
confront. Par consquent, il offre ses re-
lations avec la Communaut europenne,
un niveau de priorit lev, lequel lui est
bien rendu, tant donnes les possibilits
de commerce et dinvestissement quoffre
lconomie mexicaine en ce XXIe sicle. n
*Professeur-chercheur la Facult de Sciences
Politiques et Sociales, Universit Nationale Au-
tonome de Mexico (UNAM).
58 Negocios photo jeff

Trois nouveaux lments mexicains

inscrits au Patrimoine Immatriel
de lHumanit

L
a cuisine traditionnelle mexicaine, par des lments inscrits durant la runion La cuisine traditionnelle mexicaine
le chant purpcha de la Pirekua de Nairobi, lesquels remplissent une srie Le dossier soumis la considration du Comit
et les Parachicos dans la fte tra- de critres dfinis par les directives opra- met laccent sur la gastronomie mexicaine en
ditionnelle de Chiapa de Corzo tionnelles de la Convention du Patrimoine tant que concept de tradition vivante dans len-
sont inscrits sur la Liste reprsentative du Immatriel de 2003. Parmi ces conditions semble du pays. La cuisine mexicaine est per-
Patrimoine Immatriel de lHumanit de figurent notamment celles de contribuer ue comme une culture ancestrale populaire,
lUNESCO. faire connatre le patrimoine culturel imma- communautaire et authentique. Toutefois, le
Le Comit Intergouvernemental pour la triel et faire prendre conscience de son dossier tudi par le Comit se limite la gas-
Sauvegarde du Patrimoine Culturel Imma- importance, de disposer de moyens de sau- tronomie traditionnelle de louest de lEtat de
triel de lUNESCO a inscrit trois traditions vegarde qui permettraient de le protger et Michoacn et certaines zones des Etats de
mexicaines sur la Liste reprsentative du de le promouvoir, de figurer dans des inven- Puebla, de Veracruz, de Oaxaca, du Chiapas, de
patrimoine immatriel de lhumanit : la taires nationaux ou rgionaux et davoir t Campeche, de Tabasco et du Yucatn.
cuisine traditionnelle mexicaine, la Pirekua, soumis au terme de la participation la plus La cuisine traditionnelle mexicaine fait
chant traditionnel purpcha et les Parachi- large possible de la communaut et avec son partie intgrante du systme culturel bas
cos dans la fte traditionnelle de Chiapa de consentement libre, pralable et clair. sur le mas, le haricot ( frijol ) et le piment
Corzo.
La dcision a t prise ce jour au cours de
la 5me session ordinaire de ce Comit In-
tergouvernemental, runi Nairobi, Kenya,
sous la prsidence de M. Jacob Ole Marion,
secrtaire permanent du Ministre du Patri-
moine National et de la Culture de ce pays.
Les candidatures mexicaines faisaient partie
des 47 propositions tudies par le Comit,
provenant de 31 Etats parties.
Pour parvenir cette inscription, les can-
didatures mexicaines ont t soumises un
processus dvaluation qui a dbut en aot
2009 et qui a impliqu un examen par des
experts de lEstonie, de la Core du Sud, du
Kenya, des Emirats Arabes Unis et de la Tur-
quie.
Grce ces inscriptions, le Mexique dis-
pose dornavant de six lments figurant sur
la Liste reprsentative du patrimoine imma-
triel de lUNESCO, qui sajoutent aux ftes
indignes ddies aux morts (2008) ; aux
lieux de mmoire et de traditions vivantes
du peuple Otom-Chichimecas de Tolimn :
la Pea de Bernal, gardienne dun territoire
sacr (2009) et la crmonie rituelle des vo-
ladores de Papantla (2009).
La Liste reprsentative du patrimoine im-
matriel de lhumanit, qui en 2009 recen-
sait 166 lments de 77 pays, a t enrichie
 2011 le mexique vit en france

( chile ). Cette trilogie intgre les pratiques ali-

mentaires et le style de vie des communauts.
Elle est lie des pratiques sculaires et tech-
niques millnaires encore utilises, comme par
exemple la nixtamalisation. Elle comprend en
outre des mthodes agricoles uniques telles
que la milpa (champ de mas) et des ustensiles
comme le metate et le mortier.
Cette connaissance et tradition ont t
prserves depuis des temps anciens tra-
vers la transmission orale entre gnrations,
travers une symbiose entre lart culinaire, la
cosmogonie et lenvironnement. Par ailleurs,
la cuisine traditionnelle joue un rle primor-
dial de cohsion et didentit nationale. Les
moments cls dun groupe social et du cycle

photo h bautista
de vie des communauts (naissance, mort,
fte communautaire, travail) sont directe-
ment lis la cuisine, faisant delle un mode
dexpression cratif en termes artistiques et
artisanaux.

La Pirekua, chant traditionnel

Purpcha
La Pirekua est un chant interprt par les
pireris (interprtes et auteurs), aussi bien
en purpcha quen espagnol. Elle est le syn-
crtisme dlments dorigine prhispanique
et coloniale, notamment en ce qui concerne
linstrumentation et lnorme tradition poly-
phonique que Tata Vasco a introduit sur
le territoire de Michoacn.
Cette expression musicale, transmise
de gnration en gnration, sur la base de
partitions et des rythmes musicaux du son

photo orquesta tata vasco

et du abajeo, est ne la moiti du XIXme
sicle. Actuellement, cest un chant vif inter-
prt aussi bien dans les maisons que lors
de manifestations tel que le Concours Ar-
tistique de la race purpcha qui se droule
depuis les annes 70 Zacn et la fte de San
Lucas, qui a lieu dans ce village de Michoacn
depuis lpoque de la Colonie.
Le chant de la Pirekua rpond trois des
critres tablis par la Convention pour la imiter les anciens serviteurs de Doa Mara de Grande, dans laquelle participent environ
Sauvegarde du Patrimoine Culturel Immat- Angulo qui lont aide distribuer de la nourri- 6.000 danseurs, dont des parachicos et des
riel : un deux relatif aux langues, aux tradi- ture lors de la grande faim de 1769. chuntas qui sortent dans les rues de cette
tions et aux expressions orales ; un autre en Les Parachicos sont une des traditions mexi- ville du Chiapas pour perptuer une tradition
rapport avec les arts de la reprsentation et caines les plus vigoureuses datant de centaines de prs de trois sicles.
un autre avec les pratiques sociales, rituelles dannes. Il sagit dun ensemble dexpressions Cette tradition rsume dimportants aspects
et festives. insparables les unes des autres : musique, de la vie culturelle de Chiapa de Corzo : la mu-
danse, artisanat, gastronomie, crmonies reli- sique autochtone du tambour et du sifflet, la
Les Parachicos dans la fete traditionnelle gieuses et ftes, en lhonneur de plusieurs saints danse, la prire, les vtements, le parcours, les
de Janvier Chiapa De Corzo durant les clbrations de janvier qui ont lieu images, les techniques artisanales de la laque
Les Parachicos sont une organisation de dan- Chiapa de Corzo. et des masques, les saints et la cuisine tradition-
seurs indignes du Chiapas, de sexe masculin La fte des Parachicos se droule tous les nelle constituent des lments essentiels du pa-
en gnral, qui se dguisent en Espagnols pour ans du 4 au 23 janvier au cours de la Fiesta trimoine culturel immatriel de la population. n
60 Negocios photo nacho vegas

Le Mexique donne
du got au monde!
par cristina vila-zesatti

En novembre 1519, Hernan Corts et Moctezuma II se trouvaient face face pour la premire
fois. Mexico Tenochtitlan tait tomb aux mains des Espagnols. Cependant, dans les profondeurs
des fours en pierre prhispaniques se sont gards les secrets dune cuisine ancestrale, pendant
que conqurants et conquis partageaient la table et changeaient leurs produits. Aujourdhui,
une grande varit de plats est la preuve vivante du syncrtisme culinaire qui sest ralise dans
une ferveur quasi religieuse entre les deux cultures. La cuisine traditionnelle mexicaine fait
maintenant partie du Patrimoine de lHumanit, parce que son got a captiv les palais du monde
entier. En lanne du bicentenaire, cette reconnaissance, au-del dun prix reu, implique pour le
pays une norme responsabilit.
 2011 le mexique vit en france

U
n comal (plaque chauffante) et
son brasero, un tabouret, 2 kilos
de nixtamal (pte tortilla) et une
marmite de dinette avec trois
sortes de plats pices. Ainsi, install avec un
permis seulement de faveur dans une rue
de Zacatecas, Julia Bauelos a commenc son
petit ngoce de gorditas. Cela fait maintenant
28 ans.
Bah voyez, jai quitt mon emploi de chef
cuisinier dun htel parce que le directeur ne
mavait pas la bonne, mais javais besoin de
nourrir mon fils qui tait g de quelques mois,
le salaire de mon mari ne suffisait pas, et moi,
tout ce que je savais faire ctait la cuisine, mais
a, oui, je la fais avec beaucoup damour [...] et
certains disent que jai un tour de main spcial
pour amliorer la saveur des plats .
Doa Julia avait alors 32 ans. Aujourdhui,
elle en a 60, quatre enfants et un empire culi-
naire qui sest converti en une vritable tradi-
tion Zacatecas, la belle ville coloniale mexi-
caine inscrite au Patrimoine Culturel de lHu-
manit par lUNESCO en 1993.
En pratiquement trois dcades, les Gorditas
Doa Julia ont ouverts 8 succursales qui don-
nent du travail 50 personnes et reoivent une
moyenne de deux mille clients par jour. Le nix-
tamal et les principaux ingrdients sont ache-
ts en quantits industrielles et les plats sont
prpars dans dnormes marmites, dans une
cuisine de 400 mtres carrs.
Julia Bauelos, lune des nombreuses chefs
de cuisine de la gastronomie de ce pays, sait
beaucoup plus que cuisiner. Elle est, comme
tant des femme mexicaines certaines, sans
le savoir la dpositaire dune tradition ances-
trale qui compte des sicles dexprience : lal-
chimie gastronomique du Mexique, qui a reu
le 18 novembre Nairobi au Kenya, sa nomi-
nation officielle par lUNESCO au Patrimoine
Culturel Immatriel de lHumanit (PCI).

Photo adrin moreno pea

LHRITAGE DE DEUX
EMPIRES: PLAISIR DU
PALAIS POUR LE MONDE
ENTIER
En termes purement gastronomiques,
on pourrait affirmer que la cuisine
mexicaine a vcu avec la conqute es-
pagnole de vritables noces de sang ,
dont lunion a fait grandir les plaisir du
palais du reste du monde, tant en gots
quen saveurs.
Dune part, lEspagne, pays maintes
fois conquis, et qui bnficie dune lon-
gue tradition de commerce international,
a apport au Mexique une immense varit
de produits en provenance, non seulement
du vieux continent, mais aussi des quatre
coins du monde.
Dautre part, les Aztques, qui avaient
tendu leur pouvoir sur une trs grande
partie des territoires occups maintenant
par le Mexique, avaient lhabitude dimpor-
ter de leurs territoires conquis des produits,
des faons de faire et des ustensiles qui ont
enrichi leur systme culinaire, finissant par
se les approprier.
A ce jour, prs de cinq sicles de la
rencontre entre les cultures espagnole et
mso-amricaine, la cuisine mexicaine -
comme beaucoup dautres traditions du
pays - dmontre que le syncrtisme a
toujours t le fait des autochtones, quil
ont men leur manire , ajoutant ce
qui venaient de lextrieur sans perdre les
racines de leur identit ancestrale.
Aujourdhui, alors que le Mexique
clbre ses 200 ans en tant que nation
indpendante, le monde est tomb sous
le charme de que lon connat typique-
ment comme La Cuisine Mexicaine, un
systme maintenant inscrit au Patrimoine
de lHumanit par lUNESCO.
62 Negocios
Tradition et responsabilit
Le Mexique a finalement obtenu que sa can-
didature auprs de cet organisme des Nations
Unies aboutisse. La premire tentative avait eu
lieu en 2005, mais la proposition avait t rejete.
Pendant cinq ans, le Conservatoire de la Culture
Gastronomique Mexicaine (CCGM), un groupe
multidisciplinaire ayant pour but la protection
des traditions culinaires du Mexique, travaill
pour reposer correctement les bases du dossier.
Nous croyons quil est fondamental de prot-
ger notre cuisine. Cette nomination servira cela,
et loin dtre un cadeau, cest une norme obliga-
tion , affirme Gloria Lpez Morales, directrice
du CCGM, lequel est conform par des chefs,
des chefs de cuisine, des chimistes, des experts
sociaux et des chercheurs qui sintressent la
table mexicaine, laquelle reprsente tout un sys-
tme qui, tir a hue et a dia, a survcu depuis plus
de cinq sicles.
La nomination de lUNESCO implique un
engagement fort. Vraiment, ce qui nous tombe
sur les paules, si nous le prenons au srieux,
cest trs lourd, mais cela peut tre de grande
valeur. Conservez ce label international, va
nous obliger rechercher, rgion par rgion la
problmatique propre de chacune delles: sur le
terrain, parmi ses habitants (...) il faut sauver les
ingrdients originaux, cser de dnaturer les sols
et les produits naturels (...) il faudra aussi sauver
de loubli tout cet hritage qui na jamais t crit,
qui na t transmis quoralement (...) et un point
Photo international maize and wheat improvement center
non des moindres : nous devons rduquer notre
palais, que tant de malbouffe a fait perdre le got
... aujourdhui nous sommes incapables de recon-
natre un bon mole de olla dun mauvais , dit Pilar
Fausto, cuisinire, chercheuse et enseignante
lInstitut Gastronomique dtudes Suprieures
(IGES) de Quertaro.
Lorsque vous faites du miel, a attire les
mouches
Le march de Tlatelolco, avec la varit de ses
produits venant de toute la Mso-Amrique, son
immensit et son ordre parfait, impressionna les
Espagnols, qui trouvrent l plus dpices quils
nen espraient trouver sur la route perdue de
Colomb lorsquil cherchait les Indes et quil arriva
sur notre continent : la vanille, le chocolat, lans-
rine, le mas, de nombreuses varits de piments,
de mas et de haricots, la courge, lavocat, le din-
don... il est impossible de dterminer combien
despces de plantes et danimaux partirent du
Mexique vers le monde pour raliser leur propre
conqute pacifique au travers du palais.
Paris sent la vanille, a crit un pote fran-
ais du XVIIe sicle. Lorchide mexicaine chan-
g jamais la ptisserie de la plante, de mme
que le chocolat, dont la racine du nom en nahuatl
a t conserve dans de nombreuses langues.
Aujourdhui, lAfrique sent le chocolat. La Chine
a le got piment et nopal. Les tats-Unis et la
France pour leur part, ont le got charbon du
mas - dans ces pays, les agriculteurs infectent
Huitlacoche :
le don des dieux
La divinit prhispanique qui faisait
pousser les champignons sauvages
sappelait Nanacatzin, dont le nom
provient des mots nacatl : viande et
Tzin : qui est une particule crmo-
nielle.
Le Huitlacoche ou Cuitlacoche (le
charbon du mas) est, de fait, de souche
doublement divine, puisquil descend
ni plus, ni moins que de la divinit ali-
mentaire la plus importante Centli , le
seigneur du mas.
Pourtant, les anciens savaient, dans
une certaine mesure, que lapparition
de cette tache noire sur les cultures
signifiait une maladie de leur plante la
plus sacre. Ce nest pas en vain que
son nom signifie littralement excr-
ment endormi (cuitlatl = excrment et
cochi = endormi).
De fait, certains restaurants interna-
tionaux prennent lhabitude dexpliquer
sur leur carte que ce champignon est
une impuret du mas , en ayant pris
soin auparavant de souligner que cest
un mets de choix , faon de justifier
les prix levs que peut atteindre un plat
de Huitlacoche Paris, Londres ou
New York, o il est devenu trs pris.
Pour palier un peu la difficult - et
le cot de son exportation, les agricul-
teurs amricains et europens - surtout
de France - , ont rcemment commen-
c contaminer une partie de leurs
cultures de mas pour obtenir ce cham-
pignon que beaucoup connaissent et
qualifient comme tant la truffe mexi-
caine , en rfrence ce champignon
rare du nouveau continent.
Le Mexique possde galement
une grande diversit de champignons
sauvages comestibles. Dautres nand-
catl (champignons) qui sont aptes
la consommation sont le tecomate
(oronge), le xotlalich (clitocybe en
entonnoir) et le tejamanil (gymnopus
dryophilus).
Le Ministre de lEnvironnement et
des Ressources Naturelles (SEMAR-
NAT) a rpertori au moins 200 es-
pces dissmines dans 28 des 32 tats
du Mexique. La moiti de ces espces
ne sont pas cultivables et on ne peut
que les collecter dans les zones aux-
quelles elles appartiennent.

leurs plantes avec ce prcieux champignon que
les Aztques considraient comme un plat uni-
quement digne dtre consomm par lempereur.
La trilogie sacre de la table mexicaine: le ha-
ricot - avec ses 60 varits -, le piment - avec plus
de 20 types connus -, et le mas - de 300 sortes,
ador par les anciens comme tant leur plante
la plus sacre -, tous restent sur la table des mexi-
cains, de mme que les recettes et les traditions
ancestrales qui, cependant, courent le risque de
se perdre.
Mais comme le dit le dicton, il nest jamais
trop tard pour bien faire, et si la chef mexicaine
bien connue Patricia Quintana a raison daffir-
mer que la cuisine du Mexique est une cuisine
daller et retour , il est donc possible de commen-
cer son affaire comme Julia Bauelos la fait ses
dbuts: petit petit.
Jai commenc petit petit. Je cuisinais par
ncessit, mais avec beaucoup damour. Je nai ja-
mais pens ouvrir de succursales, ni de gagner des
prix. Jai fait ce que je savais faire et ce que je devais
faire. Jai mme d apprendre faire les tortillas
la main (...) mais a oui, javais mes petites recettes
secrtes et elle ont trs bien fonctionn, mainte-
nant tous mon personnel les ont a appris, parce
que mes gorditas doivent avoir la mme saveur
dun restaurant lautre (...) et en fait, ces choses
l sapprennent sur le tas , dit Doa Julia, qui a
reu rcemment une offre dun chane de cin-
Fils du mas
Danciennes lgendes racontent que les
Mexicains daujourdhui sont les enfants
du cinquime soleil, les hommes de
mas selon les enseignements toltques
repris par les Aztques. Dautres mythes
affirment que lorsque lhomme neut
plus rien manger, le dieu Quetzalcoatl
lui a offert le mas (Centli), aprs stre
dguis en fourmi et lavoir vol de la
montagne de la Subsistance.
Quoi quil en soit, le mas est devenu
un lment cl pour asseoir la sdenta-
rit des tribus nomades au Mexique et
dans toute lAmrique, et pour favoriser
la naissance ultrieure de cultures hau-
tement raffine au fil des sicles. Une
culture o cette plante a t constam-
ment lie la divinit : on la vnrait, on
lui chantait et on lui parlait, tous cela par
crainte que Centli leur retire ses dons.
Et comme laffirme Sebastin
Verdi dans son livre Mosaque Multi-
mas douvrir 110 succursales dans le pays, bien
que ce projet nait finalement pas abouti. Mais sa
rputation est bien l, qui fait dj partie du got
quotidien de Zacatecas.
Si le Mexique a dj adopt et transform ce
qui est venu dautres cultures telles que lespa-
gnole, la franaise, la chinoise, lamricaine et lal-
lemande, - les Espagnols ont introduit au Mexique
le btail, les cantinas ont dabord t amricaines
et la ptisserie tait territoire franais, les Alle-
colore et Splendeur de la Gastronomie
Mexicaine (aux ditions Diana, 1993),
si le modus vivendi des indignes a
t le mas et ses drivs, la tortilla et
ses multiples formes constituent, depuis
des sicles, le modus operandi des
cultures mso-amricaines.
Dj, le Codex Mendocino sauv par
les historiens, rvlait les habitudes alimen-
taires des anciens mexicains, partir de
lge de 3 ans : une demi tortilla par jour. A
quatre ou cinq ans : une tortilla entire. De
6 12 ans : une tortilla et demi. A partir de
13 ans : deux tortillas .
Utilise en guise de cuillre, de plat ou
de serviette, enroule, plie, la saveur
sale ou sucre, seule avec du sel ou garnie
de toutes sortes de prparations culinaires,
la tortilla est un produit base de mas
prpare avec de leau et de la chaux, puis
ptri sur le metate , un ustensile de cui-
sine ancien qui est encore utilis dans de
nombreux foyers mexicains.
2011 le mexique vit en france
Photo kent wang
mands ont installs les premires plantations
de caf et les chinois ont imposs lusage du caf
au lait -, si nous avons fait nos propres friandises
typiques, nous avons converti la cantina en un
temple national et nous avons ajout du saindoux
dans nos tamales. Si tout ici a acquis sa propre
saveur, la saveur la mexicaine, il est encore
possible de rcuprer un hritage qui, heureuse-
ment, est encore en vie, malgr les alas du temps
et les caprices de lhomme. n
Ce procd, qui transforme et
amliore les proprits intrinsques du
mas, est connu de cette seule rgion et
na t ni export ni imit, bien que ce
furent les Espagnols qui conurent les
premiers moulins mas dans la Nou-
velle-Espagne . Ces moulins de propri-
taires espagnoles et de main-duvre
indigne, seront plus tard les fameuse
tortilleras (fabriques de tortillas) qui
sont devenues populaires au XIXe sicle.
Actuellement, on estime quau
Mexique il existent encore environs
40.000 tortilleras qui emploient des
machines sophistiques pour faire
exactement le travail que faisaient tous
les jours les femmes indignes depuis
des sicles. Ce qui semble ne pas avoir
chang au fil des sicles, cest la prdilec-
tion nationale pour ce pain de mas .
On estime en effet quen moyenne, le
mexicain mange aux alentours de mille
tortillas par an.
64 Negocios

La truffe
et le caviar
du Mexique
et autres
gourmandises
impriales
Lune des choses qui font
toute la distinction de la cui-
sine mexicaine, ce nest pas
seulement sa grande varit,
mais aussi et surtout, cest
lnorme savoir des commu-
nauts prhispaniques pour se
servir de pratiquement toutes
les manifestations de la nature.
Aux temps anciens, les
insectes, les larves et les cham-
pignons sauvages taient
soigneusement surveills
dans leur propre habitat pour
tre ensuite consomms la
table des nobles. Certains de
ces menus dlices taient en
fait exclusivement rservs
aux festins de lempereur. La
punaise (axayacatl) et le mou-
cheron deau (amoyotl), de
mme que les ufs de four-
mis (azcamolli ou escamoles)
rivalisent pour le titre de ca-
viars mexicains , et parmi les
champignons (nancatl) lali-
ment souverain connu sous le
nom de la truffe mexicaine
est, sans aucun doute, le char-
bon du mas (huitlacoche ou
cuitlacoche).
Tirs des plus petites
choses de la nature, ces d-
lices taient magnifis dans
les cuisines prhispaniques
pour flatter le palais du grand
monarque.
Les codex anciens de
lempire Aztque font rf-
rence au moins 96 espces
dinsectes comestibles.
Cependant, il est probable
que ce nombre soit d des
diffrences de langues et de
dialectes, il faut dire que lon
a dnombr plus de 500
diffrents types dinsectes,
hautement nutritifs pour notre
organisme, sur le territoire
mexicain.
De haute qualit alimen-
taire et pour le plaisir de
palais digne des rois , voil
donc quelques-uns des mets
exquis du pass mexicain. A
ce jour, ils existent encore.
Leur consommation et sur-
tout, lattention quon leur
porte, leur production et leur
prparation sont de plus en
plus revaloriss.

NHUATL NOM COMMUN PRODUIT - prparation

Azcamolli (azctl ufs de fourmi On trouve les fourmilires de cette espce au pied des maguey, des nopals et des
fourmi/molli-moulu) (Escamoles) faux-poivriers. Une fois prleves les larves de fourmis, on chantait aux larves avant
de les faire frire ou den faire un bouillon. Actuellement, ce caviar mexicain atteint
des prix astronomiques dans les restaurants haut de gamme.

Axaycatl (atl-eau/ Punaise deau Insecte ovode grande face blanche. Il possde des ailes, mais il nage en gnral
xcatl-face) vers les bords de pices deau stagnantes entoures de vgtation. Les ufs
daxayacatl sont appels ahuautli et se prparent schs et grills sur le comal
(plaque chauffante sans rebords) ou moulus pour aromatiser les bouillons.

Amoyotl Moucheron Il vit en eaux peu profondes. Ses ufs sont connus sous le nom de zcahuitli ou ver
deau lagunaire. Ils sont goutt et assaisonn avec du piment et de lepazote (ansrine),
et sont tals comme une pte crpe sur des feuilles de mas et cuits comme des
tamales (en papillote).

Meocuilin Meocuil ver (blanc) de Le papillon dpose ses larves sur les feuilles de maguey et on les collecte sous
Maguey cette forme. Lorsquelle grandit, la chenille peut mesurer jusqu 7 cm. Ces vers se
prparent grills ou frits. Ils taient et ils sont toujours considrs comme un mets
de choix.

Xonecuilli ver (rouge) de Ils se dveloppent dans le tronc de lagave. Ils sont habituellement collects vivants
Chinicuil Maguey et nourris de tortillas. Par la suite, ils sont grills et enfils sur un fil pour les fumer.
Une fois broys, on les utilise galement pour prparer un type de condiment. On
mlange sa poudre avec du piment sec pasilla et un peu de sel. Cette espce est
facilement reproductible dans des pots en terre cuite ou de la toile de coton.

Tomazquitl Chenilles de Ces cocons blancs pendent des arbousiers. Les chenilles sont de couleur sombre,
papillon duveteuses, de texture douce. On les fait griller feu doux sur le comal, en les
(Cupiches) aspergeant avec de leau et du sel. Lidal est quils ne soient pas trop grills.

Chapolin Criquet Ils vivent principalement dans les champs de mas, bien que maintenant, ils
(Chapa-rebondir/ulli prolifrent dans dautres cultures. On les laisse toute la nuit dans des feuilles de mas
caoutchouc) ou des herbes parfumes pour les purger. Ils sont plongs vivants dans de leau
bouillante sale, puis on les sche et on les fait griller. Certains vont mme jusqu
les manger vivants.
 2011 le mexique vit en france

Le nopal :
Le cur vert du
Mexique
par cristina vila-zesatti

Pour lensemble de ses proprits nutritionnelles et mdicinales, le nopal est considr comme le roi
des cactaces et son origine est 100% mexicaine. Les historiens et les anthropologues affirment que
leur prsence au Mexique remonte 25.000 ans et aujourdhui, la science rvle toutes les merveilles
caches sous les pines des cladodes de nopal, le plus autochtone de nos aliments.

C
ontrairement ce quaffirme
la sagesse populaire, oui, il ya
quelque chose de plus mexi-
cain que le mole : le nopal, ce
cactus qui, de faon officielle, reprsente
le Mexique sur son emblme nationale.
Mtaphores en plus, mtaphores en
moins, le Mexique ancien a t fonde
ni plus ni moins que sur un nopal ... le nopal est lie depuis toujours liden-
mais pas nimporte lequel, sinon un bien
particulier : un nopal o un aigle et un
serpent entreprirent un mortel combat.
Ce fut le signal que le dieu Huitzilo- le Mexique depuis des sicles et de nom-
pochtli - le soleil dispensateur - avait don- breuses faons : en tant que symbole de
n aux Aztques pour riger ce qui serait son identit, en tant que paysage et fron-
lun des derniers grands empires de M- tire, en tant que mdecine, mais aussi et
soamrique avant la conqute espagnole : surtout, en tant que nourriture.
Tenochtitlan, ce qui signifie lieu des cla- Cest la plus mexicaine des comes-
dodes (raquettes ou feuilles) de nopal. tibles trouvs dans la nature, et mme
Au-del de la lgende, la vrit est que aujourdhui, il continue de surprendre
les habitants et les visiteurs par son got,
tit mexicaine. par ses multiples possibilits culinaires
Cest une plante, ou pour tre plus et pour ses nombreuses proprits m-
exact, une cactace, qui a accompagn dicinales.

USAGES DU NOPAL
photo guillermo barrios del valle

Le nopal aide dans des affections

telles que :
les dsordres Gastro-intestinaux et les
troubles digestifs;
lobsit;
lhyperglycmie et le diabte de type II;
lhypertension;
le cholestrol.
66 Negocios
Cur de guerrier
Certains anthropologues affirment que lutilisa-
tion du nopal sur le territoire que comprenait la
Msoamrique peut remonter environ 25.000
ans, dautres estiment son ge plus de 50.000
ans. Dans cette rgion - qui va des tats-Unis la
Patagonie on a trouv environ 300 varits dif-
frentes de cette cactace, dont au moins 170 sont
originaires du Mexique.
En nahuatl, nochtli ou nopalli pourrait se tra-
duire par fruit de la terre, un nom qui prend
tout son sens parce que cette plante na besoin
de rien de plus que le fait que sa semence tombe
sur le sol pour pousser : il est rsistant aux condi-
tions les plus inhospitalires, il pousse dans
des rgions dsertiques et sous des climats de
froids intenses et il y a des traces que plusieurs
cultures traditionnelles lutilisait dj des fins
alimentaires et mdicinales.
Le rcit Les naufrags que lexplorateur es-
pagnol lvar Nuez Cabeza de Vaca, crit en
1528, raconte comment les Indignes du nord
du Mexique lui sauvrent la vie en lalimentant
avec ce cactus si particulier, dont les proprits,
les formes de prparation mais aussi dexploita-
tion sont immortaliss dans lHistoire gnrale
des choses de la Nouvelle-Espagne, du frre Ber-
nardino de Sahagn.
Bien que ces cladodes pineuses de ces nou-
velles terres navaient pas la valeur de lor, des
chantillons de nopal voyagrent au-del des
ocans et arrivrent jusquau roi Charles V dEs-
pagne lui-mme. Certains textes de lpoque indi-
quent que le monarque a t guri comme par
magie dune maladie rare, en lui appliquant direc-
tement sur ses ulcres des compresses imbibes
de jus de nopal.
Cest depuis les terres mexicaines que ce
cactus miracle a voyag vers de nouveaux du pays, et qui a aliment des gnrations de
horizons, o il pourra alors dmontrer la gn-
rosit de son exploitation et les merveilles de sa
consommation. Et ainsi, depuis le XVIe sicle,
sa prsence na fait que se propager : depuis
lEspagne, il a conquis le vieux continent et
sest implant au Portugal, en Grce et en Italie.
Puis il sest propag vers le continent africain:
Algrie, Maroc, Tunisie et Afrique du Sud et,
plus rcemment, lAsie a galement commenc
succomber ses nombreuses qualits.
Dapparence froce, plein dpines qui prot-
gent ses dures cladodes, le nopal produit gale-
ment des fleurs de belles couleurs et la tuna (fi-
gue de barbarie), un fruit dlicieux qui garde son
propre charme et sa propre magie. Les Aztques,
par exemple, comparaient les tunas de couleur
rouge vif au cur tachs de sang des guerriers,
photo frank r. segarra
ce pourquoi ils lui confrrent des proprits
divines: ils affirmaient que leur consommation
procurait une valeur et une dtermination ab-
solues.
Ce qui, dans les temps anciens, tait connu par
intuition, sest rvl parfaitement confirm par
les dcouvertes progressives de la science.
Dangereux lextrieur, frais
lintrieur... salutaire de partout
Le nom scientifique de cette plante est Opun-
tia vulgaris, laquelle appartient la famille des
Cactaceae. Selon Helia Bravo, une biologiste
qui a consacr sa vie tudier et classifier les
cactus mexicains, le nopal est le roi des cac-
taces, en raison de tout ce que lon peut en ex-
traire, en obtenir et en transformer.
Il existe fondamentalement deux genres :
lOpuntia et le Nopalea, et les deux somment
jusqu 104 variations diffrentes, qui pour-
raient tre classifies en trois catgories : de
figues de Barbarie, lgumineux et fourragers.
Divers tmoignages prouvent que depuis
lpoque prcolombienne, cette plante mi-
racle servait gurir les fivres grce son
jus bouilli, gurir les lvres gerces en utili-
sant votre mucilage ou bave, la chair tait un
remde contre la diarrhe et les pines taient
utilises contre les infections. Le fruit du nopal,
la tuna, tait employ en cas de peur ou de
colre pour gurir les excs de bile, et les cla-
dodes chauds, tait le remde rapide contre les
ulcres et les inflammations sils taient appli-
qus en compresse sur la zone affecte.
Comme si cela ne suffisait pas, le nopal ou
Opuntia, est aussi un excellent aliment pour sa
saveur et sa valeur nutritive. Ce cactus qui sur-
vit tous les climats, qui pousse pratiquement
ltat sauvage dans presque toutes les rgions
mexicains travers les sicles, garde en son in-
trieur un vritable trsor de sant.
Des tudes rcentes ont dmontr que
sous la protection farouche de leurs pines,
les nopals contiennent des vitamines A et
C, une quantit gnreuse de calcium ainsi
que du magnsium, du complexe B, du po-
tassium, du fer des fibres en grande quantit.
Un apport de nopal, fournit 17 acides amins
- 8 desquels sont indispensables au le corps
humain -, qui servent diminuer la fatigue,
rduire lapptit et faire baisser de faon na-
turelle le taux de sucre dans le sang, ce pour-
quoi ce cactus est maintenant hautement
recommand pour les personnes souffrant
de diabte et et pour ceux qui souffrent dun
taux de cholestrol lev.

Le cactus, mesure gnralement entre 3 et
5 mtres de haut, possde une tige ramifie
dun verte intense, do manent les cladodes
pineuses. Ses fleurs et ses fruits juteux sont
blancs, jaunes ou rouges.
Il existe environ 21 varits de figues de barba-
rie et toutes ont des qualits anti-diarrhiques et
astringentes. Leur jus contient de grandes quan-
tits dantioxydants. Cest pourquoi son utilisa-
tion, en ces derniers temps, a pass du territoire
des produits alimentaires vers les talages de
boutiques de produits cosmtiques naturels, en
raison de son action dans le ralentissement du
processus de vieillissement.
Et comment oublier le xoconostle (ou xo-
nocoztle), mieux connu sous le nom de tuna
acide. Cest le fruit du nopal trop mr pour tre
consomm frais, mais cest lun des ingrdients
indispensables de nombreux plats traditionnels
mexicains, entre autres, le mole de olla.
Mais les prodiges du nopal ne sarrtent
pas l. Si ses fruits ont des proprits anti-
diarrhique, sa fleur est utilise - en infusion
- comme diurtique et antispasmodiques. Et
parce quon ne gaspille presque rien du no-
pal, ses pines ou ahuates, servent souvent
dengrais pour les sols, vu que- les surprises
naturelles ne semblent jamais spuiser la
2011 le mexique vit en france
photo catalina garca saavedra
LE NOPAL EST UTILISE DE PLUSIEURS FAONS:
press : en jus nergtiques de nopal et de figue de Barbarie, ou naturel pass au
mixer (licuado);
frais: en salade, cuisin, en soupes, en entres, en sauces;
en conserves: en confitures, en marinades, en saumure;
dshydrat: en poudre pour comprims, infusions et capsules (tant comestibles
que mdicinales);
dans dautres procds: incorpor dans des tortillas, du pain, des desserts, des
biscuits, des glatines et du fromage de tuna;
en cosmtique: dans des crmes, des shampooing, des savons, des huiles, des
produits pour llimination de la cellulite;
en remdes: comme antibiotique naturel, en cataplasmes pour les ulcres, en
supplments de calcium, pour le contrle du poids, contre la rtention deau;
dans la construction: pour la restauration, la protection des murs, les toits en pis,
les peintures cologiques.
culture du nopal permet de rgnrer les sols Dans la banlieue de Mexico, larrondisse-
et de convertir des terres improductives en ment de Milpa Alta, reprsente le plus grand
terres productives. volume de la production annuelle du pays :
environ 9.000 producteurs, chacun possdant
Plus mexicain que le nopal ? Impossible une moyenne dun demi-hectare, rcoltent en-
Fin 2009, lAssemble du District Fdral a viron 70.000 tonnes de nopal par an, sur un
annonc son intention dobtenir lappellation primtre renfermant 4.500 hectares.
dorigine contrle du nopal, en particulier En vrit, Milpa Alta, est le plus grand g-
pour la varit Milpa Alta qui est, avec la va- nrateur de cultures de nopal, ceci, personne
rit Atlixco, celle qui est le plus largement ne le nie, bien que certains mettent en doute
utilis dans la culture du nopal lgumineux que cette zone soit lorigine de la varit qui
sur lensemble du pays. porte son nom. n
68 Negocios photo courtesy of
photo
casaarchive
cuervo

Mexique du
nord au sud
tequila Mexique du nord au sud
Localit dorigine prhispanique de plus de 35.000
habitants, Tequila se trouve une soixantaine de kilo-
mtres de la ville de Guadalajara, soit dans le centre-
nord de lEtat de Jalisco. Cette ville se caractrise par
une colline de 3.000 mtres de hauteur au-dessus du
niveau de la mer, qui fut nagure un volcan actif.
Lapparition de la tequila merge de lgendes an-
ciennes et de mythes, dont lun deux voque que la
tequila a t dcouverte alors quune retentissante
foudre sabattait sur une plante dagave, la coupant au
milieu et la cuisant quelques instants. Cest alors que
les indignes sentirent un dlicieux arme du nectar
qui sen chappait et le burent avec peur et rvrence,
pensant quil sagissait-l dun miracle et dun cadeau
des dieux.
Llaboration de la tequila dans cette rgion date
de 380 ans, et de l est ne lappellation de cette bois-
son, qui constitue avec la charrera sorte de rodo
mexicain et les mariachis, un des piliers des traditions
mexicaines.
Tequila est aujourdhui un des lieux les plus c-
lbres de lEtat de Jalisco, avec larrive frquente de
touristes de tous les coins et recoins du monde qui
viennent avant tout senqurir du processus de fabri-
cation de la boisson la plus mexicaine, mme si par la
suite ils repartent tonns dy avoir dcouvert dautres
attributs tels que des haciendas, des muses, un im-
pressionnant canyon avec des cascades deau et mme
un volcan dont la dernire ruption remonte plus de
600 ans.
A visiter donc des endroits incontournables tels
que la colline de Tequila; le centre historique; la pa-
roisse de Santiago Apostol, patron de la ville; le muse
Francisco Javier Sauza, grand bienfaiteur de la ville, ou
encore passer un agrable moment de dtente dans la
station thermale La Toma.
 2011 le mexique vit en france

photo archive
holbox

Holbox, une le au paradis
Lle Holbox est situe au large de la pointe nord de la p-
ninsule du Yucatn et tend ses 40 kilomtres de sable au
milieu des eaux meraude de locan. Bien que son nom si-
gnifie trou noir en langue maya, il sagit dun monde qui, de
loin, apparat vert, tant de par les eaux du canal qui la spare
du continent que des cocotiers touffus, des mangroves et des
plantes rampantes qui contrastent avec le sable blanc, le ciel
pur et le soleil resplendissant.
Lle ne dispose que dun village de pcheurs: avec des
rues ensables bordes de petites maisons en bois peintes de
couleurs vives et de toits en palmier, Holbox na pas beau-
coup chang depuis sa fondation en 1847 et la communaut,
compose de quelques familles solidaires, mne une vie pai-
sible et heureuse.
La majorit des habitants se consacre la mer qui leur
fournit leur nourriture quotidienne. Les hommes coura-
geux de Holbox poursuivent les normes requins, les espa-
dons et les barracudas, sans craindre de plonger 40 mtres
de profondeur pour atteindre les prcieuses langoustes.
A ne pas manquer non plus une visite au Museo de
la Cultura Maya, situ dans le Fuerte de San Miguel, ainsi
quau Museo de las Estelas Mayas et au Baluarte de San
Pedro, qui fonctionne comme un centre dexposition de
lartisanat typique de la rgion.
Dans les alentours de la ville de Campeche, vous pro-
fiterez dune aventure cologique ingalable en visitant
les rserves de Ra Celestn, peuples par des centaines
de flamants roses, et Calakmul, une des plus grandes du
pays. Vous pourrez galement explorer les restes de lin-
tressante zone archologique maya qui donne son nom
cet endroit.
Cette destination est une excellente option pour une
rencontre avec lhistoire, la tradition et laventure.
campeche

Campeche, ville fortifie

La ville de Campeche, capitale de lEtat ponyme, se situe
dans la rgion du Golfe sud de la Rpublique Mexicaine,
387 km au nord est de Villahermosa, Tabasco, et 177
km au sud ouest de Mrida, Yucatn.
Ancien port commercial, cette destination conserve
encore les restes dune muraille, deux forts (lun dentre
eux abritant un important muse) et sept bastions (qui
actuellement ont une fonction de muses et de forums
photo joaqun martnez

d expositions), des btiments qui l environnaient aux

XVIIme et XVIIIme sicles afin de la protger des at-
taques incessantes des pirates. Ces monuments, ainsi que
plusieurs btiments qui dcorent son centre ville (un des
mieux conservs du pays), comme la cathdrale et lglise
de Guadalupe, ont permis cette ville dtre dclare Pa-
trimoine de lHumanit par lUNESCO en 2002.
 70 Negocios
zacatecas
photo mike Mcholm
photo lucy nieto
Zacatecas, joyau colonial
La ville coloniale de Zacatecas se situe dans la rgion
centre-nord de la Rpublique Mexicaine. Revtue de
pierre rose, Zacatecas est une des plus belles mtro-
poles du nord du Mexique; pour en avoir la preuve,
il suffit de jeter un coup doeil sa majestueuse ca-
thdrale, considre comme une des plus impor-
tantes expressions de lart baroque au Mexique. Ses
richesses historiques et architecturales lui ont permis
dtre dclare Patrimoine Culturel de lHumanit par
lUNESCO.
Dans son dessin urbain particulier, sous forme de
petites rues en dnivellation, de ruelles et de places,
vous dcouvrirez une infinit de constructions reli-
gieuses, civiles et culturelles.
Zacatecas fut un des plus grands sites miniers du
pays. Grce sa richesse gographique et ses ressources
naturelles, diffrentes activits en plein air peuvent tre
ralises dans ses alentours. Sierra de rganos et Sierra
de Cardos, Jerez, constituent deux excellentes options.
Ne manquez pas galement de visiter La Quemada, la
zone archologique la plus importante.
Isla Mujeres, joyau des Carabes
Situe en face des ctes de Cancn, dans lEtat de Quin-
tana Roo, Isla Mujeres est une des principales les des
Carabes mexicains. Elle stend sur 8 km de long et 2
km de large. Bnficiant dun climat tropical, les tem-
pratures y oscillent en moyenne autour de 27oC.
Considre lpoque des Mayas comme un lieu
sacr, Isla Mujeres (lle des femmes) tait un centre
religieux ddi la Desse Ixchel, la mre des dieux,
desse de la lune et de la fertilit.
photo archive
isla mujeres
Aujourdhui, Isla Mujeres na rien perdu de son
charme, de la beaut de ses paysages avec ses plages
aux eaux couleur turquoise, dont les plus clbres sont
Playa Norte et Playa Cocoteros.
Isla Mujeres dispose dune grande richesse natu-
relle et culturelle. Il sagit dun endroit paradisiaque
qui regorge dattraits touristiques. En tmoigne ses
vestiges archologiques, comme le temple de Ixchel
par exemple. A visiter galement lHacienda Mundaca,
construite au XIXme sicle et qui a appartenu au c-
lbre pirate espagnol Fermin Antonio Mundaca.
Pour les amateurs dactivits nautiques, le Parc Na-
tional El Garrafn est lendroit idal. Cette aire naturelle
protge renferme un parc cologique o vous pourrez
nager avec les dauphins et les tortues marines et dcou-
vrir les fonds marins peupls de poissons multicolores.
Ne manquez pas galement Los Manchones, de
beaux rcifs de corail 10-15 mtres de la surface.
Dans lun deux vous dcouvrirez un crucifix en bronze
de 3 mtres de haut o est dessine la figure du Christ.
Vous pourrez en outre faire des excursions en mer
et dcouvrir notamment la petite le de Contoy, une
le vierge dclare Rserve de la Biosphre et clbre
pour ses plus de 90 espces doiseaux. Elle abrite une
flore et une faune aquatique remarquable, ainsi quun
petit muse et une tour avec un mirador qui offre une
vue panoramique spectaculaire.
Un autre dtour incontournable est celui de la Cueva
de los Tiburones Durmientes (grotte des requins endormis),
qui se trouve lest de lle 20 mtres environ de profon-
deur. Cest une grotte que les requins-chats ont choisie pour
se reposer et o ils flottent, ayant lair engourdi.
Un voyage dpaysant et insolite en perspective.

oaxaca
Oaxaca, une merveille du Mexique pour le
monde
Visiter lEtat de Oaxaca cest se plonger dans une des r-
gions les plus riches et les plus colores du Mexique. Cette
rgion se trouve au sud de la Rpublique du Mexique,
dans la zone de la Cte Pacifique, dont la gographie se
compose de grandes valles et de chanes de montagnes.
Dans cet Etat, qui se singularise par sa grandeur du point
de vue historique et culturel, vous aurez lopportunit de
dcouvrir des villes et des villages habits par prs de 16
ethnies indignes, lesquelles conservent encore leurs an-
ciennes coutumes.
Vous pourrez y visiter la ville de Oaxaca, capitale
de lEtat. Il sagit dune des villes coloniales possdant le
meilleur trac urbain et la plus grande richesse architec-
turale. L, vous admirerez ses difices de style baroque,
construits en pierre de taille de couleur verte. Vous
pourrez aussi visiter ses muses les plus importants,
comme le Muse des Cultures de Oaxaca, hberg dans
lancien Couvent de Santo Domingo, ou encore appr-
cier ses ftes traditionnelles, comme la Nuit des Radis
et la Guelaguetza.
Oaxaca, vous pourrez galement visiter divers sites
archologiques, parmi lesquels se distingue la ville zapo-
tque de Monte Albn, dclare Patrimoine de lHumani-
t par lUNESCO, ainsi que Mitla, dont le principal intrt
rside dans lornementation de ses difices en grecques.
Prs de l, vous pourrez apprcier dautres charmes na-
turels, tel celui de lArbre du Tule, un conifre de 42m de
diamtre environ, dpassant les 2000 ans dge, ainsi que
les lacs de Chacahua, zone cologique comprise dans une
vaste tendue de mangroves et de plages. Vous pourrez
en outre contempler les superbes baies de Huatulco et de
2011 le mexique vit en france
sierra gorda, quertaro
photo israel hinojosa balio
photo archive
Puerto Escondido, o vous pourrez vous reposer ou pra-
tiquer des sports aquatiques varis.
Pendant votre sjour dans cet Etat, noubliez pas de
savourer les plats exquis qui font le renom de la gastrono-
mie de Oaxaca, savoir les tamales, les moles, le fro-
mage et le fameux mezcal, la boisson typique de la rgion,
labore partir de la plante du maguey, ni de vous pro-
curer les fameux alebrijes ainsi que les produits artisa-
naux en argile noire comme souvenirs de votre voyage.
La Sierra Gorda, joyau colonial
de Quertaro
La Sierra Gorda de Quertaro, dcrte Rserve de la Bios-
phre en 1997, conserve ce qui est peut-tre un des plus
beaux tmoignages de lart baroque de lpoque coloniale au
Mexique. Il sagit de cinq missions franciscaines construites
par le Frre Junpero Serra au XVIIIe sicle, lesquelles sym-
bolisent la phase finale de lvanglisation au Mexique.
Ces missions, connues sous les noms de San Mi-
guel Conc, Santiago Jalpan, La Pursima Concepcin
de Landa, Nuestra Seora de la Luz de Tancoyol et San
Francisco Tilaco sont des constructions de grande valeur
artistique grce la singulire combinaison des images
qui dcorent chacune de leurs portes, o lon peut obser-
ver lingnuit et les coloris typiques de lesthtique des
Indignes Pames et Chichimecas, qui participrent la
conception de leur construction.
Ces anciens centres dvanglisation furent dclars
Patrimoine de lHumanit en 2003, et figurent parmi les
destinations touristiques les plus visites du Mexique par
les amants des activits lair libre, car dans leurs envi-
rons ils peuvent pratiquer le cyclisme de montagne et le
trekking, entre autres sports daventure.
72 Negocios
Ixtapa-Zuhuatanejo, paradis du Pacifique
Appartenant la rgion dnomme Triangle du Soleil , ct la modernit et le luxe dIxtapa, et de lautre, tout
avec Acapulco et Taxco de Alarcn, Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo
reprsente sans aucun doute une des principales destina-
tions touristiques de lEtat de Guerrero.
Situe au nord-ouest dAcapulco, la station balnaire
dIxtapa, qui signifie ville blanche en nahuatl, est une
enclave dhtels, de restaurants, de discothques, de ca-
fs et de boutiques. Ville pense et organise pour le tou-
risme, Ixtapa stire autour dune grande avenue longeant
une plage de 4,5 kilomtres (Playa del Palmar).
Unique parmi lensemble des magnifiques destina-
tions tropicales de plages du Mexique, Ixtapa-Zihuatane-
photos archive
jo offre le meilleur de deux mondes paradisiaques: dun
juste 6 kilomtres de distance, lenchantement qui se d-
gage du village de pcheurs de Zihuatanejo, clbre pour
ses couchers de soleil spectaculaires. Paradis du sport de
la pche pour certains, Zihuatanejo est galement trs
pris pour son argenterie et sa cramique.
Ce contraste exceptionnel de la Cte Pacifique offre
au voyageur la possibilit dopter pour linfrastructure
moderne ou bien pour des vacances dans un lieu qui a su
rester traditionnel, le point commun de cette alternative
tant lambiance tranquille qui y rgne. Les deux plages
favorites de la baie sont Las Gatas et La Ropa.
Le Yucatn, un joyau du sud-est mexicain
LEtat du Yucatn se situe au sud-est de la Rpublique
Mexicaine, dans la pninsule du mme nom.
Sa capitale, Mrida, fonde sur les ruines de la cit
maya de Tho, est galement connue sous le nom de la
ville blanche, pour ses beaux difices coloniaux faits
de chaux qui runissent, comme peu de villes dans le
pays, lhistoire, lart, la tradition et la culture.
Cet Etat possde galement dintressants sites
archologiques de la culture maya, tels que Uxmal,
Kabh, Labn, Sayil, Dzibilchaltn, ainsi que limpres-
sionnant centre de culte de Chichn Itz, reconnu Pa-
trimoine de lHumanit par lUNESCO. Dans ce site,
vous pourrez vous projeter lpoque prhispanique
et dcouvrir les secrets que renferment ses difices
les plus importants, en particulier le Chteau, appel
aussi pyramide de Kukulkn. L, tous les ans, pendant
lquinoxe du printemps, a lieu un phnomne naturel
dombres et de lumires qui se projettent sur les gra-
dins de la grande pyramide, faisant apparatre limage
du serpent plumes. n