New works in Mazatlan get praise

Enrique Peña Nieto inagurates a new bypass in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. CUARTOSCURO/PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

EPN opens new Mazatlán bypass

THE NEWS
thenews.mx


“Infrastructure projects like this one, raise our level of competitiveness and promote investment in Mexico,” President Enrique Peña Nieto said this week during the inauguration of an 8 kilometer bypass in Mazatlán, Sinaloa.

“Mexico is now among the ten most attractive countries for investment,” he said.

“Yes we can compete” and today, there are two powerful reasons why to invest in Mexico.
“The first is our developing infrastructure and the second the scope of the structural reforms.”

Accompanied by Governor Mario López Valdez, the Communications and Transportation Secretariat head, and entrepreneur Carlos Slim, the president said that society should be the main protagonist and beneficiary of the structural reforms while the government should be efficient in implementing them.

The president said that the future of Mexico has been established with the structural reforms, consolidating the nation as a new platform and an important destination for global investment.

Peña Nieto stressed that in terms of infrastructure, the government is working as a team and not through isolated efforts.

In terms of road infrastructure, he mentioned a project to modernize 80 highways with a total of 4,000 kilometers. This is in addition to 46 new highway projects with a total of 3,000 kilometers. “This projects will give a new face of modernity and will allow Mexican companies to be more competitive,” he said.

Peña Nieto acknowledged the importance of entrepreneurs who have the responsibility of making Mexico grow.

He reiterated his invitation for Mexicans to have faith in government capacities.

“The world is watching Mexico, and it knows there are conditions to invest with security and competitiveness,” he said.

Mayor to Petition President for Federal Funds

by Maureen Dietrich
28 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton said yesterday that every time the President visits Mazatlán, he takes advantage of the visit to petition for federal funds for important projects.

On his list for tomorrow when the President will be in Mazatlán to inaugurate the Libramiento Mazatlán is 570 million pesos to construct the Miravalles aqueduct, 150 million to update drainage pipes and 1,300 million to mitigate floods in the Infiernillo Estuary.

Hoteliers will also take advantage of Peña Nieto’s visit, said Carlos Berdegué Sacristán, who told reporters his association will remind the President of his promise to help with funds to improve infrastructure in the port.

(from Noroeste)

Bypass Road Closed while Awaiting Presidential Inauguration

by Maureen Dietrich
28 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

Accesses to the bypass road are blocked and convoys of army trucks were observed patrolling the road.

Although Mazatlán’s bypass road, Libramiento Mazatlán, has been open to traffic since December 19 last year, it was closed to vehicles three days ago in anticipation of the arrival of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto tomorrow to inaugurate the toll road.

The President was slated to open the road in November but cancelled a few days before the planned event in the middle of a political crisis surrounding his wife´s purchase of a house dubbed the “Casa Blanca” from a construction company with ties to the Presidential administration.

The road closure affected vehicle traffic as drivers entering Villa Unión were re-routed to the International highway to connect with Libramiento Colosio to continue north of Mazatlán. Media stated all traffic lights on Libramiento Mazatlán were covered in black plastic bags and confusion reigned at the glorieta to enter Mazatlán as a result of inadequate direction signs.

Accesses to the bypass road are blocked and convoys of army trucks were observed patrolling the road.

The President is scheduled to inaugurate Libramiento Mazatlán tomorrow morning at approximately 11:30am after which the road will re-open.

(from Noroeste)

Mexican President to Visit Mazatlán Next Week

by Maureen Dietrich
25 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto will make this fifth visit to Mazatlán, and his seventh to Sinaloa, next week.

Sinaloa Governor López Valdez announced the President would arrive on Wednesday, April 29. At 11:30am he will inaugurate the Libramiento Mazatlán, the Mazatlán bypass toll road that opened to traffic in December last year.

The road which connects in the north to the Culiacán-Mazatlán autopista and in the east to the Mazatlán-Durango highway includes yet-to-be constructed three kilometer feeder roads to the airport and the city.

The Governor said at the press conference that they now have authorization to construct the airport road.

(from Noroeste)

Obama praises EPN at business summit

Panama City, site of this year's Summit of the Americas. ap

News

 

Mexico News Daily | Saturday, April 11, 2015

mexiconewsdaily.mx

 

   

Sensible energy reforms and outstanding efforts to combat organized crime and violence were among the praises U.S. President Barack Obama had for his Mexican counterpart, Enrique Peña Nieto, during the second business forum of the Summit of the Americas, held this week in Panama.

 

It is good for the U.S., he said during a panel discussion, that Mexico continues to be successful in implementing its reform program. When it comes to regulation, said Obama, there are often those who are comfortable with the status quo and don’t want to see change.

“Undoing regulations can be politically difficult at times and for that I admire very much the work that Enrique has done in Mexico’s energy sector. It is something very sensible but at the same time very difficult.

“What he saw and what all Mexico recognized is that this sector is not going to be efficient without the input, innovation and investment it needs from the private sector,” said the U.S. president.

Obama said as well that the region needs to work together to combat violence and crime and establish security, although the latter also requires transparency, accountability and a judicial system that is just and equitable, he observed.

But the rule of law is not just important for combating violence but for attracting investment as well, he added.

Mexico’s president was also lauded by the president of the Inter-American Development Bank for having done what previous governments could not: introduce structural reforms to bring the country into modern times, something which had always been a dream, said Luis Alberto Moreno Mejía.
The business summit, which began Wednesday, preceded the seventh annual Summit of the Americas, a two-day event that began yesterday. Both events are being hosted by Panama.

In a press interview before yesterday’s sessions, Peña Nieto said the event was historic because for the first time in more than 50 years all of the continents’ countries would be together at one forum.
He looked forward to the meeting between Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro, hoping it would thaw relations and “eliminate the last remnants of the Cold War.”

Peña Nieto estimated that despite significant advances, 11% of the region’s population still resides in extreme poverty, with citizens of Latin American and Caribbean countries living with some of the greatest inequality in the world.

But the summit is a critical venue for regional cooperation that will contribute to improvement, he said.

Source: El Universal (sp)
 

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President Peña Nieto Amends Mexico's Health Act

optometry.co.uk
go to original
March 30, 2015

London, England - The Mexican government has amended the country's health laws, boosting the status of optometry among other health professions.

In an amendment to Article 79 of the Health Act, optometry has been added to the list of health professions which require a university degree in order to practice.

The amendment was signed into law by President Enrique Peña Nieto earlier this month, and highlights the importance of optometry in the country's healthcare system.

Commenting on the change, president of the World Council of Optometry (WCO), Dr Susan Cooper, said, "This is a significant achievement, which confirms the important role that optometrists play as the first point of contact for primary eye care as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in many countries across the world."

Figures from the WCO estimate that 43 percent of the country's 110 million population lack access to eye health services. Mexico needs 12,000 optometrists to meet the demands of the population, however, currently only 400 students graduate from 15 institutions teaching the course each year.
In January 2014, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) launched in Mexico in an effort to increase the number of optometry schools and aid the development of better eye health services.

Global chairman of OGS, Dr Juan Carlos Aragon, said: "Although much is still required, this change in the law should have a significant impact on elevating the quality of optometric education and practice in Mexico."

He added: "I am convinced that, over time, the provision of primary eye care will extend throughout the country to benefit the entire Mexican population."

Original article

Here are 7 products you can’t buy in U.S.

  Mexico News Daily | Tuesday, March 24, 2015
mexiconewsdaily.com


Anyone who is fond of Mexico will tell you the country has a great deal to offer that’s not available anywhere else — cultural and gastronomical experiences, marvelous attractions and artisanal treasures, to name just a few.

But automobiles? Yes, those too.

Advertise Here Automotive writer Aaron Bragman of Cars.com has identified seven vehicles that are available for sale in Mexico, but not in the United States. Not only that, he writes, “they are among the most interesting in the world.”

One is the Chevrolet Tornado (“the coolest pickup”), made in Brazil, light on power but with a load capacity of 725 kg. Another is the Mini-size Audi A1 Sportback, a four-door with a 1.4-liter engine with or without a turbocharger, and all the style and quality of larger Audis.

Also from Audi is the S5 Sportback, a four-door hatchback intended to take on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, and powered by a 333-hp, turbocharged V-6 engine.

Another product from Brazil is the Ford EcoSport, a subcompact SUV based on the Ford Fiesta and powered by a 145-hp, 2-liter, four-cylinder engine. The baby SUV, says Bragman, is just being discovered in the U.S. but foreign markets have had them for a while.

Ford also offers the new Ranger in Mexico, but it comes with limited options: four-cylinder gas or diesel, manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.

An unusual offering is the Peugeot RCZ, a front-wheel-drive sports coupe with a 200-hp 1.6-liter engine. It’s not the fastest sports coupe, Bragman says, but its looks can stop traffic. The French automaker hasn’t sold cars in the U.S. in a couple of decades.

Finally, the Volkswagen CrossFox adds to the company’s “unusual stuff” in its Mexico lineup. Bragman calls it a VW Fox city car, the size of the Nissan Micra, with a more robust, high-riding suspension and powered by a 101-hp, 1.6-liter engine with front-wheel drive.

It looks more capable than it actually is, says the Cars.com writer.

Source: Cars.com (en) - See more at: http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/7-products-cant-buy-u-s/#sthash.0QWGupGD.dpuf

Corredor Económico Mayors Meet in Mazatlán

by Maureen Dietrich
4 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

If the port is modernized, the municipalities would benefit from 20 years of development along the corridor.

Although it has been over a year since the Mazatlán-Durango highway opened, the door to the Corredor Económico del Norte remains shut.

Mayors from 17 municipalities along the geographic corridor agreed at a meeting yesterday that in order for the strategic route north to be successful, it is necessary for Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to fulfill his 2014 promise to budget 1,300 million pesos to improve Mazatlán´s port.

Speaking at the conference held in the Angela Peralta Theater, Durango Mayor Esteban Villegas Villarreal said Mazatlán is the entrance door to the Corredor Económico del Norte and the municipalities and States that form the corridor must present a united front so that the port receives financial resources.

He went on to encourage the Mayors to fight harder and send messages to Federal authorities to visit Mazatlán because the upgrading of the port will not only benefit the city but also the States of Durango, Nayarit, Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, Neuvo León and Coahuila which form the corridor to the north.

Villegas Villarreal said in his opinion the mayoral conference would be very productive, if nothing other than to plan a united front and realize the States are not in competition but complement each other.

If the port is modernized, said the Durango Mayor, the municipalities would benefit from 20 years of development along the corridor attracting businesses to invest and offering jobs with higher salaries.

(from Noroeste)

EPN announces global investments

thenews.mx

Pres. Enrique Peña Nieto (C) praised multinational businesses for investments. PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

BY MAGALI MARLENE JUÁREZ

The News

MEXICO CITY – In a volatile global market, an investment of $11.17 billion by members of the Executive Board of Global Companies organization signaled confidence in Mexico, President Enrique Peña Nieto said during a meeting Wednesday with the directors of 39 multinational companies whose interests are represented in the country.

“This confirms a continued desire to invest in Mexico,” he said

The companies that form the organization have announced a plan to invest more than $11 billion to expand their existing presence in the country, as well as an investment of $13.5 billion for expenditures, the president said.

“Through the direct and indirect creation of jobs fostered by these investments, 56,000 jobs will be created in 2015,” he said.

In a private meeting with members of the board, the president introduced a detailed report of actions taken by his administration to improve the quality of life for Mexicans.

The structural reforms that have been passed have already improved the education, security, health and employment sectors, he said.

The members of the board are interested in ensuring that Mexico remains as an attractive destination for global investment, as this will help generate better paying jobs and more highly qualified employees, said Pedro Padierna, president of the board and head of Pepsico in Mexico.

The investments will lead to the direct creation of 9,000 jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs in the energy industry, aeronautics, pharmaceutical and in technology.

EPN: Path For Mexico Is Clear

thenews.com.mx

President Enrique Peña Nieto celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Agrarian Law signing. Photo: CUARTOSCURO/ JUAN PABLO ZAMORA

Gov’t to improve country’s conditions

THE NEWS

The government is clear about the path they wish to put the country on: creating modern conditions and a platform to drive development with infrastructure, education and job opportunities for the population, said President Enrique Peña Nieto from Boca del Río, Veracruz.

While heading the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Agrarian Law signing, the president assured those present that this idea has been carried out in the last two years through the structural reforms that will bring tangible benefits for citizens, particularly the men and women living in rural areas whose work demands great effort.

Peña Nieto explained that some of these concrete benefits include the elimination of long-distance phone charges, lowering the cost of electricity and stopping the increases in the price of oil, all which generate inflation in the market.

All of these measures, he said, will soon begin to create better living conditions for those living in the country, in addition to the 12 billion-peso ($858 million) budget that was approved to ensure stable food prices this year.

Additionally, there is a federal budget to guarantee credit with 7 percent interest rates for those in the country, and in the case of women in rural areas, a rate of 6.5 percent. These rates are much lower than what the commercial banks offer, said Peña Nieto.

All of these efforts are part of the responsibilities of the government and its officials, but making Mexico prosperous depends on the efforts and attitude of every Mexican, he said.

“Greater development and a more promising future depends on what each Mexican does in their own environment of possibilities,” said Peña Nieto.

He asked all Mexicans to start the new year with a positive attitude and to work carefully in order to reach the best conditions for the whole country.

Although he acknowledged that in a democratic Mexico there are different voices that express different points of view, the path for Mexico towards development, prosperity and well-being is clear.

In the presence of the most important representatives of the agricultural sector and leading the National Farmers Confederation, the president ensured that the government will appropriate 18 billion pesos in subsidies for the agricultural sector through different programs with improved regulations.

Bill to Increase Minimum Wage Presented to Congress

banderasnews.com

Garcia & Alper - Reuters.com
go to original
December 8, 2014

Mexico's minimum wage is among the lowest in the hemisphere, comparable only to Honduras, the poorest nation in Central America. However, lower food prices in Honduras make wages go further there.

Mexico City, Mexico - President Enrique Pena Nieto last Friday presented a bill to Mexico's lower house that represents the first step towards a possible increase in the country's low minimum wage.

The measure, which would dissociate the minimum wage from how fines and some levies are calculated, is part of Pena Nieto's bid to eventually boost economic growth and the purchasing power of low-income Mexicans.

Depending on area, the daily minimum wage in Mexico varies between $63.8 pesos and $67.3 pesos, or about $4.44 - $4.69.

If the bill is approved by both houses of Congress, as expected, a future minimum wage increase would also require the approval of an independent commission.

Proponents of a wage increase argue that the proposal would shore up weak domestic demand, which has hammered growth in Latin America's second biggest economy. Critics, meanwhile, have raised concerns that the move could fuel inflation which has hovered above the central bank's 4 percent ceiling for several months.

Original Story

EPN expands infrastructure

Wednesday, 03 December 2014 00:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

thenews.com.mx

 

EPN expands infrastructure

Gvn’t invests to enlarge gas line network

THE NEWS

The federal government will invest 228 billion pesos ($16 billion) to build new gas pipelines around the country, representing a 75 percent increase from the existing infrastructure, announced President Enrique Peña Nieto on Tuesday.

During the inauguration of the first phase of the Los Ramones gas pipeline, which extends from the municipality of Los Ramones to Tamaulipas, the president said that phase two will extend the pipeline through the states of Guanajuato, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí.

The investment will almost double the nations current capacity for transporting gas, said Peña Nieto.

“And that isn’t considering what private sector projects can eventually bring in the coming years,” said the president. “This is one of the fruits of the energy reform.”

The first phase of the gas line in Los Ramones is 116 kilometers long, while the second phase will add another 738 kilometers.

“The Los Ramones gas line is one of the biggest energy infrastructure projects with a total investment of $2.5 billion,” said Peña Nieto.

The development of gas infrastructure creates a new face and opportunity for Mexico and generates important benefits such as lowered electricity costs for Mexican families and industries around the country, he said.

“This is a government that listens,” said Peña Nieto.

“It is a government that bases its decisions around measuring social sentiment, but we are clear in the direction that we have set to assure that the country has better conditions for development and consequently to elevate the quality of life for Mexican families.”

The president added that one of the five priorities of his administration is to create better infrastructure that will allow Mexico to be a more affluent country that incorporates more social sectors into its development.

Part of the infrastructure project that will be initiated in the coming months and years is constructing more pipelines to bring natural gas to Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero, states that are lagging in development, said Peña Nieto.

The 2014-2018 National Infrastructure Program combines public and private investment to construct 17 pipelines and an additional project to supply natural gas to Baja California Sur.

Gov’t to propose security reforms

Tuesday, 25 November 2014 00:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

thenews.com.mx

Gov’t to propose security reforms

Interior Secretary announces changes in the rule of law

BY LILLIAN REYES

The News

MEXICO CITY – The federal government is expected to announce a reform to the rule of law in order to strengthen weak institutions in states and municipalities.

Interior Secretary Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong said on Monday that President Enrique Peña Nieto will present the details of the reform on Thursday, at the latest. The president will also address what needs to be done and what actions must be implemented to reverse the weakness of Mexican institutions. He will also emphasize actions to be taken in Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, among other states.

Regarding the protest on Nov. 20 in Mexico City’s Zócalo, Osorio Chong said that anyone who was arrested and transferred to federal prisons but is found innocent has nothing to worry about. The government will not show the same belligerence to those who were involved in violent acts committed against the federal and Mexico City police officers. The Federal Attorney General’s Office (PGR) will act with transparency and will punish citizens who attacked police officers.

The population has demanded Peña Nieto’s resignation due to a lack of answers about the whereabouts of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa. In response, Osorio Chong said that the federal government has kept its word to the families of the missing students.

In other matters, Osorio Chong said that the president has already approved the appointment of the new director of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), who is now entitled to sign agreements with the leaders of the IPN student movement.

The conflict between the IPN students and the government is almost at an end thanks to the round tables that have been organized to address the students’ petitions.

“It has been a long process, but it was worth it because there have been compromises on both parts, as we are all after the same goal: quality education,” Osorio Chong said.

Mexico and NZ strengthen relations

Tuesday, 18 November 2014 00:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

thenews.com.mx

THE NEWS

Foreign Relations Secretary José Antonio Meade Kuribreña wrapped up an official visit to New Zealand last week after meeting with authorities, politicians and business leaders in a bid to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Meade Kuribreña met with his counter part from New Zealand, Minister of Foreign Relations Murray McCully to discuss advances in agreements made between the two governments during a visit by Prime Minister John Key in meetings with President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Both secretaries echoed wishes to promote growth and initiatives for the private sector in their nations, particularly in the areas of agriculture industry and processed foods.

Furthermore, the two nations want to share practices of cooperation in areas such as science, technology, agriculture and education to implement policy that reflects experience.

The two leaders also discussed the presence of New Zealand as an observer of the Pacific Alliance between Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile, which includes diverse projects that are a mechanism of regional integration to increase mobility, free trade and cooperation.

Meade also congratulated his counterpart for his election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2015 and 2016. Mexico has a vested interest in continued communication to put into place reforms required by the multilateral organism, said the Foreign Relations Secretariat in a statement.

The secretary also met with various business leaders from New Zealand. He stressed the importance of structural reforms enacted by the president and invited them to visit Mexico and see that it is a land of opportunity, said the statement.

The visit by the Mexican official was planned in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of relations between Mexico and New Zealand.

New Zealand is Mexico’s 57th largest trading partner and 14th among Asia Pacific nations. In 2013 trade with New Zealand grew 10.3 percent.

EPN welcomes China investments

thenews.com.mx

Wednesday, 12 November 2014 00:10

EPN welcomes China investments

Peña and Xi create a working group to share projects

THE NEWS

Mexico is deeply interested in attracting Chinese investment to create more employment opportunities and new infrastructure projects, said President Enrique Peña Nieto on Tuesday.

In an interview published by China Economic Daily, the president said Mexico offers a wide array of investment opportunities due to the country’s position in the global economy and his network of commercial treaties. Mexico also has a comprehensive reform plan and a large-scale infrastructure plan.

Peña Nieto said that he agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping to create a High-Level Working Group on Investment.

Its goal is to identify and promote specific investment projects. The work, established in August last year, has worked in conjunction with the Bilateral Investment Fund and other ambitious infrastructure and industrial programs, he said.

In 2013, 60,000 Chinese tourists visited Mexico, which represents a 27 percent increase in comparison to 2012.

“This is the reason why tourism is a key point in the agenda to strengthen our economic cooperation,” Peña Nieto said.

In order to reinforce the bilateral relationship, both countries have made the commitment of working together to increase the flow of tourists from Mexico to China and vice versa, he added.

Regarding the president’s expectations about the 25th Summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, he said that the gathering is an opportunity to strengthen regional economic cooperation and promoting global trade.

“Mexico also expects APEC to continue supporting the region’s value chains and allow more participation from small and medium enterprises,” Peña Nieto said.

The Mexican government is committed to regional economic integration, improving connectivity and infrastructure, as well as encouraging innovation, he said. These will be matters discussed by the 21 countries forming APEC.

“I trust that negotiations will result in concrete agreements and substantial progress,” Peña Nieto said.

He added that Mexico has a lot of respect for the reforms China has implemented.

EPN orders new bidding for train

Peña Nieto: wants greater transparency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico News Daily | Friday, November 7, 2014

In a surprise move late yesterday, President Peña Nieto rejected the decision to award the high-speed Mexico City-Querétaro train to a Chinese-led consortium. And in another move that appears to have been motivated by public opinion, he has cut short a 10-day visit to Australia and China.

Transportation Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Esparza said last night that bidding would be reopened after Peña Nieto called for greater transparency in the process and the participation of more bidders.

The government had come under criticism this week, particularly in the Senate, where the opposition pointed out connections between both Peña Nieto and former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari with some members of the consortium. Four Mexican firms teamed up with the China Railway Construction Corp. to submit a 50.82-billion-peso bid on the 210-kilometer passenger rail service.

Several major companies with experience in rail projects had asked for an extension on the 60 days that had been allowed for bidders to to analyze the project and submit their proposals. The Transportation Secretariat declined to change the time allotment with the result that the Chinese bid was the only one received.

That bid was officially accepted on Monday.

The Transportation Secretary said last night that more time would be allowed for the submission of bids, and that the process would be restarted within either the next few days or the next few weeks.

Earlier in the day, in response to questions by senators, Ruiz Esparza had expressed doubt that any change could be made. “I think it would be illegal,” he said, adding that “no one seems unhappy with the result.”

It appears that the president himself wasn’t happy, no doubt due to the poor optics created by the management of the bidding process.

Equally poor optics were being created by the prospect of the president leaving the country during what many see as a serious crisis: the disappearance of the Ayotzinapa students.

Peña Nieto leaves Sunday for Beijing, China, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and meet with Chinese leaders. He will then travel to Brisbane, Australia, for the G-20 meeting November 15 and 16.

The Senate suggested a week ago that the trip be shortened from 10 days to seven due to the crisis over Iguala, Guerrero, where police are accused of killing six people, wounding 25 others and being complicit in the disappearance of 43 students, who remain missing.

Sources: El Universal (sp)

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Mexico shares reform strategy

Thursday, 09 October 2014 01:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 thenews.com.mx

THE NEWS

Social Development Undersecretary Ernesto Nemer Álvarez announced President Enrique Peña Nieto’s structural reforms to fight poverty at the Municipal Ibero-American Congress in Argentina on Wednesday.

“I have with me a presentation of the president’s policies explaining what the reforms will do and where the additional income will be allocated,” said Nemer.

At the assembly, Nemer discussed the social aspect of sustainable development, social policies and exclusion, saying that the income Mexico receives from structural reforms will be used mainly to fight extreme poverty and improve the quality of education, health services and housing.

“I have explained clearly and in detail what the new Prospera program is about,” he said. “(The program) will now be linked not to matters of assistance, but to matters of respect to human rights, self-employment and development of production activities.”

In almost two years of President Peña Nieto’s administration, the government has approved 11 structural reforms. Some of them will have relevant effects thanks to the arrival of private investments and the increase in competitiveness in the energy sector.

“The most important aspect (of the reforms) is how will they serve Mexicans and what support they will provide,” Nemer said.

“The results will help fight poverty and boost economic growth because the only way to fight poverty is not by providing support, but by growing economically and generating more jobs that are better paid.”

Nemer said the federal government was hopeful because two years ago, there were 7.4 million Mexicans living in extreme poverty. However, that number has dropped to 5.5 million people who reportedly eat better than they did two years ago.

Previous administrations used a large amount of resources to fight poverty, but the programs and actions were uncoordinated, resulting in dispersed expenses that were without focus.

He said that President Peña Nieto’s administration has made a difference by creating programs focusing on fighting shortages and addressing the poverty indexes published by the National Council for Social Development Evaluation (Coneval).

The federal government is also working to create the conditions to provide every Mexican with access to a nutritious diet and decent income. It is also important to give them the opportunity to have high-quality education for children and adults who have not finished their studies.

Families need access to quality healthcare and houses with solid foundations, stoves and ecofriendly toilets, Nemer said.

Despite the progress made in the past two years, 52 percent of Mexicans still live in some form of poverty according to Coneval’s indexes. However, President Peña Nieto’s administration is working toward eradicating poverty by the end of his tenure.