May 15, 2013
Although news about Mexico is focused on immigration reform and border security, the country remains a leading trade partner for the U.S. and an increasingly important one for Illinois.
During a visit to Chicago this week, the secretary for economic development in Mexico City, Salomon Chertorivski is telling business leaders and local officials that his country is poised to grow economically and willing to do so in partnership with companies here.
Chertorivski spent Tuesday with City Hall officials discussing environmental initiatives employed in Chicago that can be implemented in his smog-choked city, as well as those used in Mexico that could help Chicago.
Later this week he plans to meet with officials in Gov. Pat Quinn's office to talk about working with Illinois businesses on an array of economic efforts — from wastewater treatment in Mexico City to hiring Mexican workers in new call centers and other operations.
His visit follows Quinn's trip to Mexico in April. More recently, President Barack Obama was in Mexico City and praised the country's "impressive progress" in nurturing a growing middle class and an economy that expanded by nearly 5 percent last year, though that growth has slowed in 2013.
"Many stars are, today, aligned in Mexico," Chertorivski said in an interview. "I want to put that message out that Mexico is a great place to invest."
Mexico is Illinois' second-largest export market, totaling $6.3 billion. Illinois imports from Mexico total $9.1 billion, according to Quinn's office.
Illinois companies with operations in Mexico include Lisle-based truck and automobile manufacturer Navistar International Corp. and Peoria-based construction equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.
Others are looking to get work in Mexico City improving the long-troubled systems for drinking water and wastewater treatment.
"We know there is a need," said Mike Franzen, CEO of Grundfos Chicago, part of a Denmark-based manufacturer of water pumps that already makes equipment in Mexico.
Chertorivski said Mexico has been nurturing specific industries for development, including aeronautics companies that build parts for U.S. firms and a small but growing pharmaceutical sector.
"I truly believe these elements give Mexico and the U.S. the possibility to have a more equal relationship," he said. "Where we are involved in economic building and not only economic trading."
During a visit to Chicago this week, the secretary for economic development in Mexico City, Salomon Chertorivski is telling business leaders and local officials that his country is poised to grow economically and willing to do so in partnership with companies here.
Chertorivski spent Tuesday with City Hall officials discussing environmental initiatives employed in Chicago that can be implemented in his smog-choked city, as well as those used in Mexico that could help Chicago.
His visit follows Quinn's trip to Mexico in April. More recently, President Barack Obama was in Mexico City and praised the country's "impressive progress" in nurturing a growing middle class and an economy that expanded by nearly 5 percent last year, though that growth has slowed in 2013.
"Many stars are, today, aligned in Mexico," Chertorivski said in an interview. "I want to put that message out that Mexico is a great place to invest."
Mexico is Illinois' second-largest export market, totaling $6.3 billion. Illinois imports from Mexico total $9.1 billion, according to Quinn's office.
Illinois companies with operations in Mexico include Lisle-based truck and automobile manufacturer Navistar International Corp. and Peoria-based construction equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.
Others are looking to get work in Mexico City improving the long-troubled systems for drinking water and wastewater treatment.
"We know there is a need," said Mike Franzen, CEO of Grundfos Chicago, part of a Denmark-based manufacturer of water pumps that already makes equipment in Mexico.
Chertorivski said Mexico has been nurturing specific industries for development, including aeronautics companies that build parts for U.S. firms and a small but growing pharmaceutical sector.
"I truly believe these elements give Mexico and the U.S. the possibility to have a more equal relationship," he said. "Where we are involved in economic building and not only economic trading."
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