
Economic Opening in Agriculture and Food • Differential growth rates in import and export sectors • Differential rates of opening in different sectors • Food manufacturing hindered by poor performance in agriculture • Limited infrastructure, including marketing and human capital • non-tariff barriers continue to distort trade
Structural Change • Limited role for government in economy • The market allocates resources • Mexican economy joins world economy • Increased competition • Reduction of subsidies • Privatization • individual initiative replaces state determination
Comparative CETES and T-Bill Rates(Adjusted for Slippage of the Peso)
Why U.S. Investors Look to Foreign Markets • Mature domestic markets • Foreign markets offer: • - Faster growing economies • - Faster growing populations • - Attractive income/expenditure elasticities • Access to raw materials and/or inexpensive labor • Access to closed or restricted markets
Direct Foreign Investment Provides • Production technology • Commercial and financial technology • Access to international markets • Formation of human capital • Creates demand for inputs and services • Leads to formation of clusters
GLOBALIZATION AND DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT THE MEXICAN EXPERIENCE
WHAT DO COMPANIES LOOK FOR IN A TARGET COUNTRY FOR DFI • Attractive domestic market • Qualified and inexpensive labor • Abundant natural resources • Transportation advantages -- export platform • Stable political situation • Tax and capital policies • Free flow of capital • Ease of exporting and importing
What the Mexican Food Industry Needs • Specialization • Technology • Financing • Economies of scale • "Merchandizing" • Product differentiation • "Niche" management • Brand loyalty • Price determination
Joint Ventures • THE MEXICAN PARTNER NEEDS • Capital • Technology • Markets • THE MEXICAN PARTNER OFFERS • Know-how for producing in Mexico • Knowledge of the Mexican market • Management of the distribution system
Bank Lending • Cost of credit is high • Money is still scarce in the banking system • Banks are somewhat gun shy about lending, having been burned over the last couple of years • Lending to food industry has been seen as a risky • Banks still emphasize guarantees over the quality of the business
Options Available to Mexican Companies in a Global Economy • Go out of business • Close down • Sell out • Entrench into a strong regional or niche market strategy • Grow into a national player
Why Should a Mexican Company Export • Develop market discipline • quality • reliance • understand competition • Generate foreign exchange • Manage market fluctuation risk