Mexico Competitiveness Report analyzes key strengths and weaknesses

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Matthias Lüfkens, Associate Director,
Tel.: +41 (0)22 869 1424, matthias.luefkens@weforum.org

• First-ever study of this kind analyses key strengths and weaknesses of Mexico’s competitiveness landscape
• Mexico’s strengths are market size, good macroeconomics fundamentals and sophisticated business sector
• Mexico’s weaknesses remain in institutions, goods and labour markets, education standards and innovation
• More information at: http://www.weforum.org/mcr09/report

Mexico City, Mexico, 22 June 2009 – The World Economic Forum released today The Mexico Competitiveness Report 2009, the first ever study of this type for Mexico. Using the Global Competitiveness Index’s methodology and the latest thinking in competitiveness research, The Mexico Competitiveness Report 2009 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s current competitiveness landscape, highlighting strengths and problematic areas.

Ranked 60th in the Global Competitiveness Index 2008-2009, Mexico presents important strengths in its market size, sophisticated business sector and diversified production structure as well as its sound macroeconomics fundamentals. However, a number of weaknesses remain in the quality of institutions, goods and labour markets, education standards and innovation potential. The Report is the result of collaboration between the World Economic Forum and Harvard University

The findings of the Report are presented and discussed at the Mexico Competitiveness Workshop, organized by the World Economic Forum and the Secretariat of the Economy of Mexico on Monday 22 June 2009. Participating in this unique private-public sector dialogue along dozens of business leaders will be: Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President of Mexico; Agustin Carstens, Secretary of Finance of Mexico; Fernando Francisco Gómez Mont Urueta, Secretary of the Interior of Mexico; Alonso Lujambio Irazábal, Secretary of Public Education of Mexico

Insightful contributions on specific challenges and opportunities for Mexico’s competitiveness written by leading academics from Harvard University, including Ricardo Hausmann, Director, Center for International Development, Harvard University, and Robert Z. Lawrence, Albert L. Williams Professor of International Trade and Investment, Harvard University, complete the report. Some of the issues explored in depth include a growth diagnostics for Mexico, climate change impact, NAFTA and its impact on the US labour market, small and medium firms lending, and education. Click on the picture to watch a 3-minute interview with Irene Mia, Director and Senior Economist at the World Economic Forum and co-editor of the report.

“The Mexico Competitiveness Report 2009 appears at a critical time for Mexico, given the country’s national reform agenda and the current challenging global economic outlook,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “Against the background of one of the most serious economic crises in decades, it becomes even more crucial for Mexico’s government and private sector to engage in defining and implementing a competitiveness agenda, and related policies, able to ensure sustained economic growth and the well-being of every Mexican in the long term.”

The Report contains detailed country profiles for Mexico and nine relevant comparator countries, providing a snapshot of each economy’s competitiveness landscape.

The editors of the Report are Emilio Lozoya Austin, Director and Head of Latin America, World Economic Forum; Ricardo Hausmann, Director, Center for International Development, Harvard University; and Irene Mia, Director and Senior Economist, World Economic Forum.

Click here http://www.weforum.org/mcr09 to download the full report.

More information about the Mexico Competitiveness Workshop at: http://www.weforum.org/mcr09/workshop

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